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Chief Inspector Brian Connel told MFC TV that he was left with no option but to abandon tonight’s match with Hibs amidst safety concerns.

An electrical fire broke out in the South Stand as the first half drew to a close and although quickly isolated by the Fire Service, guarantees surrounding the immediate safety were not forthcoming.

With safety the primary concern for everyone at Fir Park, the match had to be brought to an end with just 45mins gone.

Chief Inspector Connell said, “Shortly before the half-time interval, we picked up on the CCTV cameras what appeared to be smoke coming from the south east corner of the South Stand. In addition to the smoke, the persons who attended the scene confirmed there was a smell of burning.

“I went down to inspect the scene and it was then we called the Fire and Rescue services. When they arrived and identified the seat of the fire; it had been an electrical fire emanating from the lighting column linked to the floodlight.

“We initially managed to isolate the fire and were in the process of cutting away the damaged capacitors when it once again started to spark. Unfortunately, at that point, there could be no assurances that there wasn’t further danger of the fire reoccurring.

“By then, we had already delayed the re-starting of the match by seven minutes. At that point, it wasn’t safe to continue with the match and I gave the order to abandon the match.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV-

Tonight’s match with Hibernian was abandoned after an electrical fire linked to the floodlights made it unsafe to continue the match.

Chief Inspector Brian Connel of Strathclyde Police said, “Shortly before the half-time interval, we picked up on the CCTV cameras what appeared to be smoke coming from the south east corner of the South Stand. In addition to the smoke, the persons who attended the scene confirmed there was a smell of burning.

“I went down to inspect the scene and it was then we called the Fire and Rescue services. When they arrived and identified the seat of the fire; it had been an electrical fire emanating from the lighting column linked to the floodlight.

“We initially managed to isolate the fire and were in the process of cutting away the damaged capacitors when it once again started to spark. Unfortunately, at that point, there could be no assurances that there wasn’t further danger of the fire reoccurring.

“By then, we had already delayed the re-starting of the match by seven minutes. At that point, it wasn’t safe to continue with the match and I gave the order to abandon the match.”

Motherwell Chief Executive Leeann Dempster added, “It was an unfortunate turn of events, however, the safety of everyone inside Fir Park is paramount.

“That made the decision to abandon the game an easy one and I must thank everyone involved for their swift action which resulted in everyone within the stadium being evacuated safely.”

It’s time to decide who you think deserves to win the Clydesdale Bank SPL Manager, Player & Young Player of the Month for November.

Has someone in our team shown some skill worthy of reward? Or has our manager suitably impressed you with our team’s performances over the month? 

Fans can vote by visiting the Clydesdale Bank Premier League website www.cbfootball.co.uk and the top three fans nominations will be put forward to the shortlist for the panel of Scottish football experts to choose the winners.

Voting is open now and closes at 12noon on Monday 5th December 2011.

Log onto www.cbfootball.co.uk to cast your vote and play Score Selector. You can also win match tickets for our upcoming fixtures, take part in the weekly quiz and keep up to date with all Clydesdale Bank’s football activities as well as having the chance to win the SPL trophy for the day.

Chief Executive Leeann Dempster has told MFC TV she remains open-minded about the Friday Night Football project.

Motherwell will take on Hibs tomorrow night; the second SPL match switched to a Friday as the SPL looks at new ways to improve the product and attract fans to live matches.

And although still remaining committed to the principle of the traditional 3pm on a Saturday kick-off slot, Dempster is keen on exploring new ideas.

“It’s going to be new for us (Friday Night Football), we are keen to try it, and I think we’re lucky we’re one of the first SPL clubs to give it a go,” she said.

“It would have been remiss of us to say no to it I think. I am quite excited by it; I have never been to a match on a Friday night before and it looks as if the weather is taking a turn for the better.

“We, as a club, have tried umpteen things over the past decade to try and increase our core fan base.

“They have had modest success at that time, but, in truth, fans have not come back over a longer term. That’s why we have restricted things like this and took a longer term view around pricing and initiatives for families and Season Ticket holders.

”But it is important that when someone suggests something different we give it a try and that’s why we are taking part.”

-CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH LEEANN EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

Motherwell take on Hibs tomorrow night with prices set at just £10 for adults and £5 for juveniles, it’s sure to be a cracker!

Following on from the fantastic Season Ticket offer, which allowed holders to nominate a friend for free, the club significantly reduced admission prices.

But what else can you expect? Well, Motherwell versus Hibs at Fir Park usually yields goals. There has been an incredible 23 in the last four fixtures between the sides at the home of the Steelmen.

The half-time Cash Converters ‘Convert for Cash’ makes a welcome return – if you fancy a chance of winning yourself £100 – there’s still time to enter – CLICK HERE.

We also have a fabulous Curry Night planned in our Hospitality suites with prices (including match ticket) down to as low as just £40. If you fancy it, you can still book a seat – CLICK HERE.

If you’re in the Cooper Stand, there will be loads on offer for the kids. The club are promoting healthy eating with a free fruit give away, as well as balloons and face painting and don’t miss Claret and Amber, our two mascots will be out and about with some of the first-team players handing our Panini stickers!

WE ARE MOTHERWELL FC. TOGETHER WE WILL BE STRONGER. PLAY YOUR PART AND FILL THE STADIUM

Stuart McCall admits he has no idea what to expect from Pat Fenlon’s Hibs when they visit Fir Park this Friday night.

The former Bohemians boss took over the hotseat at Easter Road at the tail end of last week before sitting in the stands to watch his side crash to a 3-1 defeat at McDiarmid Park.

However, the Irishman has taken full control this week and Hibs will be looking for a reaction in what will be their sixteenth game of the season.

“It’s hard to know how they will shape up but they have excellent players who can create chances and score goals,” he said.

“The Cup game between the sides was an excellent advert for football; how it finished 2-2 I will never know. We created more chances that night than I think we have in every other home game combined and it quite easily have finished 6-6.

“As I’ve said, we don’t know what formation they will use but it’s about how we play and how we take the game to them.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV-

Tom Hateley hopes the Friday night clash with Hibs under the floodlights at Fir Park will yield yet another entertaining affair.

Motherwell versus Hibs at Fir Park has forged something of a reputation for being laced with goals; indeed, the last four matches between the sides in North Lanarkshire have produced an astonishing 23 goals.

And although the former Reading player is keen to put on a show for the paying punters, he does admit that for the sake of his nerves, a somewhat low key victory would do just the same.

“Fingers crossed it will be an exciting game; it has been the last few times the teams have met with lots of chances and goals,” he said.

“Those games have probably been exciting for the fans but when you are on the pitch, I suppose you would rather be keeping a clean sheet. A 1-0 win would do me that is for sure.

“But hopefully we will have a big crowd in, we’ll entertain them with good football and we’ll come away with the result which we need.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH TOM EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

Gordon Young’s U19s side were left frustrated after being pegged back three times by Hibernian at a rain-soaked Hibs Training Centre yesterday.

The young Steelmen side took the lead on three separate occasions but were unable to pick up all three points in treacherous conditions.

‘Well made the best possible start when they took the lead inside the opening three minutes.

Keiran MacDonald started the move, sending a lovely channelled ball to the on-rushing Darren Brownlie who had made a great run up the right flank. His cut-back found Euan Murray who whipped a dangerous ball into the area. Craig Moore was quickly closed down but just about bundled it to Lee Erwin who took a great touch with his right foot before curling an excellent shot past the goalkeeper and into the net.

Hibs equalised ten minutes later through Jack Verth but Motherwell regained the lead shortly after and that man Lee Erwin grabbed his second of the match.

Winning the ball deep inside their own half, ‘Well immediately set out on the attack. Josh Watt picked up on the wing and his driving run and near post cross was met by the returning Erwin who had peeled off his markers before finishing with an impressive volley.

It looked as if the Steelmen would go into the interval ahead but the home side got themselves level once again just minutes before the break, midfielder Sam Stanton grabbing the goal.

Motherwell came out the traps as the second half got underway and deservedly regained the lead. Josh Watt, who had an excellent game, travelled with the ball, cut inside onto his right foot before smashing a low shot that took the faintest of touches off Craig Moore and into the net.

Despite going behind for the third time in the game, Hibs, to their credit, fought back and amazingly levelled things up again. An inviting corner from left flew towards the back post where defender Jordan Forster met it with a powerful header. A combination of Willie Muir and Adam Cummins did their upmost to keep the ball out on the goal line, but the assistant, who was directly in line, gave the goal! 3-3.

It was a very open finish to the match, both teams traded chances, but no one was able to grab the decisive winner.

Head of Youth Development Gordon Young told MFC TV, “I thought our young lads were excellent today, particularly as the majority of Hibs’ side is made up of second year players and are just off a 6-game winning run, including beating Rangers last Saturday.

“It was a very open match – it was actually touch and go whether or not the game would actually go start. The pitch was very wet, but playable, but it quickly deteriorated as the overhead conditions got worse.

“But I have to give great credit to both teams, I thought they were exceptional and a great credit to themselves, their club and the U19s league. There wasn’t a bad tackle; there was no dissent, just two teams keen to play football and it so it proved.”

Motherwell: Muir, Brownlie, Murray, Cummins, Lynch, Watt, MacDonald, Leitch (Francis-Angol – 73mins), Carswell, Erwin, Moore (McGachie – 62mins)

Subs Not Used: Stewart, Asghar, Green

NOTE: Saturday’s (3rd December) U19s clash with Celtic has been postponed. The match has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 6, 2012, with kick-off and venue still to be confirmed.

• GORDON YOUNG’S FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV
• FIXTURES, RESULTS AND MATCH REPORTS
• U19s LEAGUE TABLE

Motherwell FC will be one of the first to test Friday Night Football this week and we want to make it a night to remember.

Not only is the club offering Season Ticket Holders a chance to introduce a friend for free and reducing gate prices, we’re also running a fabulous Curry Night offer too.

We’ll start with a delicious Chicken noodle soup followed by your choice of either a Chicken or Beef Curry. To cool you down, finish the meal with a scrumptious white chocolate and raspberry desert. As always, a tasty vegetarian option will also be available.

Adult prices start from as low as just £40!

PRICING:

• Centenary Meal Package (includes half-time tea)
  ADULTS – £40
  16 OR UNDER: £20
• Millennium Meal Package
  ALL – £75
• South Stand Meal Package
  ALL – £99

Remember that Season Ticket holders can eat for just £25 and return to your own seat to watch the match…

* A relaxed dress cold (smart casual, but no jeans or trainers)
* For ticket only (no meals but does include half-time tea) – Centenary: £25/£12 ¦ Millennium: £50

The Cash Converters “Convert for Cash” challenge returns this Friday night when Hibs visit Fir Park and you can win £100.

It’s on STEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELMEN!!

The Cash Converters “Convert for Cash” challenge is here again. The event that pits home fan against away fan, confronted by the site of our very own gaffa Stuart McCall, is back again when we take on Pat Fenlon’s side.

Faced by a life-sized statue of Stuart McCall, fans must run round him 3 times, before composing themselves to score past our mascot, Claret, EITHER from the edge of the box (the £100 ball) or the penalty spot (the £50 ball).

Enter at the Cash Converters Motherwell Facebook page by CLICKING HERE.

In addition, Cash Converters will also be donating £150 per challenge to their official charity for the 2011/2012 season, Dreams Come True.

For your chance to win £100 in the “Convert for Cash” challenge against Hibernian, enter your details at the Cash Converters Motherwell Facebook page now: CLICK HERE.

The Facebook page will also give you the chance to win a whole host of other prizes, including tickets and exclusive, money-can’t-buy experiences. Simply “Like” the page, and get entering.

The draw will close at Noon on Friday 2nd December.

*Please note: You must be aged over 18 to take part, and proof of age will be required on the day. You must also already possess a match ticket.