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Motherwell Supporters Trust expects a big turnout for its Eve of Final Party on Friday evening (20 May).

Early feedback suggests that local fans will be joined by many ‘Well exiles who will be returning for Saturday’s big day out at Hampden.

The pre-final celebration will be hosted at the South Dalziel Studios in Windmillhill Street and the doors will be open from 7pm.  The 1991 final will shown on a big, big screen as supporters exchange both memories of the triumph twenty years ago and plans for their trip to this season’s final. 

Jim Griffin, one of the ’91 heroes, will be on hand to chat to the expectant fans.

The evening is open to supporters of all ages and many will use the night to parade their cup final outfits.  The hall will be decorated in claret and amber and the bar will be open.  What better way to get in the mood for Saturday than in the company of Motherwell fans?

Entry for Trust members is £3 while the cost for non-members is £5.  The price includes a half time pie for the first 100 through the doors – a £1 thereafter!

Chris Humphrey has been included in the Jamaica squad for their training camp in Brazil ahead of next month’s Gold Cup.

The Reggae Boyz have moved to fend off interest from Scotland to bring Humphrey into the international set-up.

Humphrey, who was born in Jamaica, is eligible to play for Scotland due to the fact his mother was born in Kilmarnock and Craig Levein was thought to be considering calling the former Shrewsbury man after being impressed by his performances this season.

The 22-year-old has been earning rave reviews and he has played a key role in helping the Steelmen reach the Scottish Cup final against Celtic.

A number of Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Bolton and Birmingham are all reported to be tracking the jet-heeled wide-man.

Humphrey is delighted to win his first call-up with Jamaica for their training camp in Brazil ahead of next month’s Gold Cup.

“It is a huge honour to get a call-up as every player wants to play international football,” said Humphrey

“Even though I also qualify for Scotland, Jamaica were the first to pursue me and I am looking forward to linking up with the squad.

“However, at the minute my main focus is on this weekend’s Scottish Cup final against Celtic.”

Referee for this Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final with Celtic at Hampden Park is Calum Murray.

Murray will be handling his fourth ‘Well game of the current campaign after previously overseeing the 1-0 defeat at McDiarmid Park in January, the Scottish Cup Quarter Final clash at Tannadice which finished 2-2 and the subsequent replay

Saints won that night courtesy of a controversial penalty award when Stephen Craigan was adjudged to have clashed with Michael Duberry inside the area; Liam Craig dispatched the resulting kick from the spot.

The draw at Tannadice won wide applause for being end-to-end and exciting and Murray played his part with an excellent display, including getting a number of penalty calls spot on.

The replay was one of the best Motherwell displays of the campaign, Murphy, Humphrey and Jeffers scoring in an excellent all-round team display.

Last season, he was the man in the middle for the 1-1 draw with Rangers; Tom Hateley netting a sensational equaliser for the Steelmen. That game was also marred by a controversial call when Ross Forbes’ goal was somehow disallowed for offside despite television pictures showing the midfielder to be at least two yards onside.

He also took charge of the 3-2 home defeat by Sunday’s opponents Dundee Utd in April last year when a John Sutton double wasn’t enough to give ‘Well the points.

His overall record in charge of the Steelmen is fairly decent. Of the fifteen games he has taken charge of, Motherwell have won seven, drawn three and lost five. The Fir Parkers have scored twenty-two whilst nineteen have hit the back of the ‘Well net.

43 players have seen yellow on those fourteen matches, 23 of which were shown to a player wearing Claret and Amber. Only one player has been sent for an early bath, Bob Malcolm in the famous 1-0 win over Celtic back in early 2008.

Calum will be ably assisted on the day by George Drummond and Gary Sweeney with Stevie O’Reilly on fourth official duties.

Fir Park Corner demolished Clyde in a ten minute first-half goal spree to lift both the IFA Scottish and British League titles, their first ever league wins, and the first Scottish club to win the British crown.

The lads made the short trip …to Ferniegair for a supposed away match which saw their hosts further travelled, and certainly looked like the home team in the early stages. FPC were dominant in possession and territory from the outset, but the deadlock wasn’t broken until 28 minutes. McArthur played a one two with Stuart Jack which saw the full back drive into the box from the left, and he looked up and curled a beautiful shot into the far corner to ease the nerves.

Within two minutes McArthur again was the provider when his cross looped off a Clyde defender to the back post, where Craig Anderson had the simple task of nodding home from a yard out. The title party started on the touchline a minute later when Davie T fed a lovely pass through the offside trap to Paul McArthur, who held off the defender to beat the keeper at his near post with rasping angled left foot strike, much deserved after his two earlier assists.

Three minutes later Scott Anderson’s tricky wing play on the right saw him charge to the bye line and whip an enticing low ball across the six yard box, where stand-in captain Davie T arrived to power the ball home from close range. DT returned the favour as half time approached, where his close range shot was blocked by the defender and fell perfectly for Scott Anderson, who, not to be outdone by his wee bro, tapped home from a yard after excellent build up play on the left by Jack and McArthur.

After the break play naturally eased off after the frantic finish to the first period, and Fraz took the chance to throw on some fresh legs. FPC continued to press, as wee Craig kept confusing everyone by repeating that it was still 0-0, but the ‘Corner made it six on the hour. A fine Macca corner from the left eluded everyone but dipped late at the back post for Davie T to bullet a header high into the net, earning his second of the day and lifting himself back to the top of the Scottish league scorers chart.

Sub Bendy completed the scoring for the newly crowned Champions with a speculative back post cross which sailed too close to the keeper for comfort, and he could only palm the ball into his own net, leaving Bendy to celebrate with an embarrassed shrug and a smile. It wasn’t the end of the scoring however. The FPC defence, without Gav for the first time in months, had played tremendously, with Tatty and Mitch outstanding. Despite deserving of the clean sheet, FPC were undone fifteen minutes from the end, when Clyde worked a neat passing move down the left to send their striker clear to score a consolation goal. It could have been two late on, but for Glenny to pull off a wonder save, tipping a rasping shot over the bar.

The final whistle was the cue for the champagne corks to pop as gaffer Fraz celebrated FPC’s tenth anniversary week with the club’s first ever title wins. Even more satisfyingly, it’s been done in style, winning the British League unbeaten with 19 wins and a draw, and romping the Scottish title with two games to spare, scoring freely from all areas of the pitch and with a mean defence and a real team spirit. FPC still have the quarter final of the British Cup to contend away to Kidderminster, and will receive their league championship trophies at a ceremony at Worldnet in Leeds this July.

Attention now turns to Motherwell’s bid for the Scottish Cup next week, where they’ll be hoping a little of the Fir Park Corner magic dust will be sprinkled their way.

Stuart McCall admitted he was glad to get this afternoon’s game out the way so he and the squad can fully concentrate on Saturday’s Cup Final.

Motherwell and Celtic will meet again in six days time in the showpiece game in the Scottish Football calendar.

Neil Lennon’s men ran out 4-0 winners today but McCall reckons a fully-fit and strong Motherwell side could post the Hoops more problems at Hamden.

“I am just glad the games over with, it has been hard to prepare over the last couple of days,” the former Bradford boss admitted.

“It is a difficult task to come to Celtic Park, particularly when they are going for the Championship and we have six or seven regulars missing. We were under no illusions how difficult it was going to be; but I am pleased it’s over and we have come out of it virtually unscathed. Shaun Hutchinson has picked up a slight knock but nothing untoward.

“I said last week we didn’t want it to turn into a mauling but we wanted everyone fit to return to training on Tuesday and that is what we are going to have.

“I am sure Neil (Lennon) will know that wasn’t our strongest side today. We did have a couple of niggles and there was no point in taking any risks. It will be different personnel and, hopefully, a different performance next week.

“One or two good things to come out of it though, the young boy (Stuart) Carswell, at seventeen-years old, stuck to his role well against a Scottish International in Scott Brown. The keeper, Lee Hollis, also did exceptionally well as he needed to do.

“We can look forward to a game that in my time as a manager which is the biggest of my career. It is the same for some of the lads in the dressing room. If you have been through the town of Motherwell you will see that everyone is up for it.

“We have to bring our best game to the final next week; all the pressure and expectation levels are all on Celtic. Sometimes being the underdog isn’t a bad thing, and we will be looking to upset the apple cart.”

McCall also addressed the concern of a loss in momentum but pointed out that keeping players fit and fresh was a bigger priority ahead of Motherwell’s biggest game in two decades.

He said: “You look at the results and they are not the results we would have wanted.

“We have finished sixth and we could have done an Inverness, and no disrespect to them, and taken on Hamilton, St. Johnstone and St. Mirren. But we finished sixth and the five who finished above us have been better than us. To go to Celtic Park, Tynecastle and Tannadice they were all difficult games. This is all on the back of us not playing our best side.

“Now we have a chance to be all refreshed and give it one hell of a go next week, it’s a fantastic showpiece game to look forward and we can put on a good spectacle and come out winners. We have made it clear to the boys we have one game on our agenda, Celtic have had two or three blips this season; we have to be at our best next week and hope they are slightly off theirs.

“We’ll see what happens; no one will give us a chance apart from the people in our dressing and the Motherwell fans who will turn up in their thousands. The real works starts for next Saturday.”

Pictures from the 4-0 defeat by Celtic in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Celtic Park.

These action shots and more are available to buy online at www.motherwellpics.com.

[svgallery name=”celtic150511″]

[tab:Match report]

A much-changed Motherwell side went down 4-0 to Celtic yesterday in the final SPL match of the 2010/11 campaign.

‘Well, without the likes of Randolph, Craigan, Lasley, Jennings, Murphy and Sutton, battled hard for ninety minutes but were little match for a Celtic side looking to win the league Championship.

Goals from Hooper, Samaras, McGeady and McCourt helped the home side to a comfortable win, but their efforts were in vein as Rangers put five past Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Celtic Park was bouncing at kick-off but it was almost brought to an immediate hush when Steve Jones came within an inch of putting the Steelmen ahead inside the opening minute. The Northern Irishman picked up the ball inside the area after good work from Chris Humphrey on the flank but his first time effort hit the ground and bounced just wide of Forster’s right-hand post.

It was a wake-up call, if they needed it, for Lennon’s men and they gave Lee Hollis his first test as a Motherwell goalkeeper on the seventh minute when Samaras raced clear of the defence, but the former Airdrie United man did excellently to beat away his shot.

Forrest followed that with an effort from distance which flew over before Hollis was again called into action. Gary Hooper collected after industrious play on the flank by Honduran Izaguire and the England U21 international sent a curling effort towards goal – but Motherwell’s number two stopper was on top form yet again, turning it away with some aplomb.

Down the other end and Shaun Hutchinson passed up a glorious opportunity to give his side the lead with a header from close range. Tom Hateley’s whipped corner kick landed perfectly for the big Geordie, who out-jumped giant Swede Daniel Majstorović, but his bullet header from just three years out went over when a goal seemed certain.

Play was swinging from end-to-end in a pulsating opening to the match and both Hooper and Scott Brown passed up opportunities to put the hosts ahead. Hooper, Celtic’s top scorer, did well to outstrip Gavin Gunning but he was again frustrated by Hollis, the 25-year-old getting down low to spread himself and block. The rebound fell kindly for Scotland international Scott Brown but the he could only drive wide with the goal at his mercy.

Celtic were beginning to turn the screw and Hutchinson twice had to make last-ditch interventions to prevent the opening goal. The first, a header from a Ki Sung-Yeung cross, the second a clearance from Samaras’ cross that was heading for Hooper at the far post.

The pressure finally paid off, though, as Celtic got their noses in-front thanks to Hooper, the prolific striker getting his first against the Steelmen this term. The former Scunthorpe hitman turned smartly inside the area but his initial shot was blocked by a crowded Motherwell rearguard. However, Hooper was first to react to the rebound and he poked it past an outstretched Hollis for 1-0; the celebrations were slightly subdued as news from Rugby Park was that Rangers were already 3-0 ahead and cruising to the title.

In spite of results not going for them elsewhere, Celtic continued to attack and the Fir Parkers had debutant Hollis to thank for a string of excellent saves that kept things respectable. A superb double save from Ki looked to be the last of the first half opportunities, but Georgios Samaras had other ideas.

A matter of minutes before the break the Greek international combined with Charlie Mulgrew on the edge of the area, and when he got the return ball from the former Aberdeen man he was afforded the freedom of the eighteen-yard box to slot past a helpless Hollis to effectively kill the game as a contest.

Indeed, the same player almost made it three on the stroke of half-time but was again denied by some brilliant Hollis goalkeeping; the ‘Well stopper getting back on to his line to turn a lob over the bar and out for a corner.

Celtic introduced Shaun Maloney at the interval, in place of Emilio Izaguirre and the striker didn’t have to wait long to get involved, scoring the third just six minutes into the second half.

The former Aston Villa man drove at the ‘Well rearguard, skipped past two defenders, before smashing a shot high past Hollis from just inside the area.

The worry then, for ‘Well, was that Celtic could go on to record a hammering but, to their credit, Stuart McCall’s men managed to shut-up-shop, somewhat.

The only breach in the last thirty-five minutes came from another substitute, Paddy McCourt. Maloney was again involved, whipping in a dangerous ball from the left for Samaras who was well tackled by Gunning. The ball fell kindly for the Northern Irishman who lashed past Hollis to complete the scoring.

The closing stages of the game were played at a snail’s pace, McCall content to throw on three changes to further freshen up the side.

‘Well now face their biggest match in two decades at Hampden next Sunday. The excitement is already building.

[tab:As it happened]

91mins – FULL TIME – The referee blows for the end of the match.

89mins – The referee blows for offside against Esteban Casagolda. Free kick taken by Daniel Majstorovic.

88mins – Sung-Yeung Ki takes the free kick.

88mins – Booking Stuart Carswell is booked.

88mins – Stuart Carswell gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Scott Brown.

87mins – Tom Hateley fouled by Gary Hooper, the ref awards a free kick. Tom Hateley takes the direct free kick.

87mins – Shaun Maloney has shot on goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

86mins – Sung-Yeung Ki takes a shot. Blocked by Gary Hooper.

83mins – Corner from the right by-line taken by Tom Hateley, Close range header by Steven Saunders goes over the bar.

83mins – Free kick awarded for a foul by Sung-Yeung Ki on Stewart Carswell. Stevie Hammell restarts play with the free kick.

81mins – Patrick McCourt produces a cross, save by Lee Hollis.

79mins – Free kick awarded for a foul by Stewart Carswell on Scott Brown. Shaun Maloney shoots direct from the free kick.

78mins – Sung-Yeung Ki fouled by Jonathan Page, the ref awards a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick.

77mins – Steve Jones produces a cross, free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Daniel Majstorovic by Esteban Casagolda. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.

74mins – Substitution Georgios Samaras leaves the field to be replaced by Efrain Juarez.

73mins – Substitution Esteban Casagolda is brought on as a substitute for Francis Jeffers.

73mins – The ball is crossed by Steve Jones.

73mins – Patrick McCourt takes a shot. Save by Lee Hollis.

70mins – Georgios Samaras provided the assist for the goal.

70mins –  GOAL – Patrick McCourt: Celtic 4 – 0 Motherwell Patrick McCourt scores a goal from inside the penalty area low into the middle of the goal.

69mins – Daniel Majstorovic takes the free kick.

69mins – Substitution Robert McHugh is brought on as a substitute for Chris Humphrey.

69mins – Foul by Ross Forbes on Gary Hooper, free kick awarded.

69mins – The ball is delivered by Tom Hateley.

67mins – Free kick awarded for a foul by Stewart Carswell on Scott Brown. Direct free kick taken by Mark Wilson.

65mins – Substitution James Forrest goes off and Patrick McCourt comes on.

65mins – Substitution Jonathan Page on for Shaun Hutchinson.

64mins – Corner taken by Sung-Yeung Ki from the right by-line played to the near post, Daniel Majstorovic produces a header from inside the six-yard box that clears the bar.

63mins – Gary Hooper takes a shot. Stewart Carswell gets a block in.

62mins – Francis Jeffers is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Sung-Yeung Ki takes the indirect free kick.

58mins – Centre by Tom Hateley, blocked by Daniel Majstorovic.

57mins – Foul by Sung-Yeung Ki on Ross Forbes, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Steven Saunders.

56mins – The referee blows for offside against Sung-Yeung Ki. Indirect free kick taken by Lee Hollis.

55mins – The assistant referee signals for offside against Gary Hooper. Lee Hollis restarts play with the free kick.

52mins – GOAL – Shaun Maloney: Celtic 3 – 0 Motherwell Shaun Maloney gets on the score sheet with a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal.

50mins – The ball is swung over by Ross Forbes, Daniel Majstorovic makes a clearance.

45mins – Shot by Shaun Maloney from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the goal.

45mins – The referee gets the second half started.

45mins –  Substitution Shaun Maloney on for Emilio Izaguirre.

45+2mins – HALF TIME – The ref blows to signal half-time.

45mins – Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Save by Lee Hollis.

45mins – Steve Jones crosses the ball, Glenn Loovens manages to make a clearance.

44mins – The ball is sent over by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance made by Shaun Hutchinson.

42mins – Centre by Charlie Mulgrew, Stewart Carswell manages to make a clearance.

42mins – Georgios Samaras fouled by Shaun Hutchinson, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Sung-Yeung Ki.

41mins – James Forrest delivers the ball, clearance made by Gavin Gunning.

39mins – Assist on the goal came from Charlie Mulgrew.

39mins – GOAL – Georgios Samaras: Celtic 2 – 0 Motherwell Georgios Samaras fires in a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal.

39mins – Charlie Mulgrew sends in a cross,

38mins – Sung-Yeung Ki takes a shot. Save by Lee Hollis.

37mins – Corner taken right-footed by Sung-Yeung Ki from the right by-line to the near post, Stewart Carswell makes a clearance.

37mins – Sung-Yeung Ki takes a shot. Save by Lee Hollis.

36mins – Corner taken short by Sung-Yeung Ki. Charlie Mulgrew produces a cross, Shaun Hutchinson manages to make a clearance.

35mins – Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James Forrest by Shaun Hutchinson. Glenn Loovens takes the free kick.

34mins – Corner from the right by-line taken by Tom Hateley, Scott Brown manages to make a clearance.

34mins – Shaun Hutchinson takes the direct free kick.

34mins – Booking James Forrest is booked.

33mins – Unfair challenge on Gavin Gunning by James Forrest results in a free kick.

32mins – Steven Saunders crosses the ball, blocked by Charlie Mulgrew.

32mins – James Forrest sends in a cross, Shaun Hutchinson manages to make a clearance.

31mins – The ball is swung over by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance by Steve Jones.

31mins – Francis Jeffers is ruled offside. Fraser Forster takes the free kick.

29mins – Mark Wilson provided the assist for the goal.

29mins – GOAL – Gary Hooper: Celtic 1 – 0 Motherwell A goal is scored by Gary Hooper from inside the six-yard box to the bottom left corner of the goal.

28mins – The ball is delivered by Mark Wilson.

28mins – Sung-Yeung Ki takes a inswinging corner.

27mins – Corner taken by Sung-Yeung Ki, clearance made by Chris Humphrey.

26mins – A cross is delivered by Georgios Samaras, clearance made by Shaun Hutchinson.

26mins – Tom Hateley takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster.

23mins – Corner taken right-footed by Sung-Yeung Ki.

23mins – Corner taken right-footed by Sung-Yeung Ki from the left by-line, Shaun Hutchinson makes a clearance.

23mins – Daniel Majstorovic takes a shot. Blocked by Shaun Hutchinson.

22mins – Unfair challenge on James Forrest by Ross Forbes results in a free kick. Sung-Yeung Ki takes the direct free kick.

22mins – Francis Jeffers concedes a free kick for a foul on Glenn Loovens. Free kick taken by Daniel Majstorovic.

21mins – James Forrest takes a shot. Shaun Hutchinson gets a block in.

21mins – Francis Jeffers has an effort at goal from close in which goes wide right of the target.

19mins – Scott Brown has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the goal.

18mins – Tom Hateley takes the outswinging corner, Shaun Hutchinson produces a header from inside the area that goes over the bar.

17mins – Daniel Majstorovic concedes a free kick for a foul on Francis Jeffers. Free kick crossed left-footed by Ross Forbes, clearance by Daniel Majstorovic.

16mins – Francis Jeffers concedes a free kick for a foul on Emilio Izaguirre. Daniel Majstorovic takes the direct free kick.

15mins – Corner taken right-footed by Sung-Yeung Ki from the left by-line, Scott Brown takes a shot. Steven Saunders gets a block in.

14mins – James Forrest delivers the ball, clearance made by Gavin Gunning.

14mins – A cross is delivered by Gary Hooper.

13mins – Georgios Samaras challenges Stevie Hammell unfairly and gives away a free kick. Lee Hollis takes the free kick.

11mins – Gavin Gunning concedes a free kick for a foul on Gary Hooper. Mark Wilson restarts play with the free kick.

10mins – Ross Forbes has an effort at goal from long range that misses to the right of the target.

9mins – Gary Hooper takes a shot. Save made by Lee Hollis.

8mins – Shot from just outside the area by James Forrest goes over the bar.

8mins – Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Save by Lee Hollis.

6mins – The ball is crossed by Mark Wilson.

5mins – Scott Brown challenges Ross Forbes unfairly and gives away a free kick. Ross Forbes delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel, clearance by Sung-Yeung Ki.

2mins – Shaun Hutchinson challenges Georgios Samaras unfairly and gives away a free kick. A cross is delivered by Sung-Yeung Ki, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Daniel Majstorovic misses to the left of the goal.

1min – Steve Jones produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the left of the target.

1min – KICK OFF

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“I am not complaining to be a tactical genius or wizard but I am sure Neil (Lennon) will know that wasn’t our strongest side today. We did have a couple of niggles today and there was no point in taking any risks. It will be different personnel and, hopefully, a different performance next week.

“One or two good things to come out of it, the young boy Carswell at 17 stuck to his role well against a Scottish International in Scott Brown. The keeper, Lee Hollis, also did exceptionally well as he needed to do.

“Pleased it’s over and we can look forward to a game that in my time as a manager which is the biggest of my career. It is the same for some of the lads in the dressing room. If you have been through the town of Motherwell you will see that everyone is up for it.

“We have to bring our best game to the final next week, all the pressure and expectation levels are all on Celtic. Sometimes being the underdog isn’t a bad thing, and we will be looking to upset the apple cart.”

Celtic manager Neil Lennon:

“A lot of them can take a great amount of pride from their contribution to the season.

“There’s been a big progression, but at a club like this we desperately wanted to win the championship.

“To accumulate 92 points, and lose by a point is sore to take. We’ve been tremendously consistent over the season.

“You could maybe look back at the three home draws in November / December that have came back to hurt us. That was a wee rocky spell that we went through but we came out of that very, very well at the turn of the year.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Previous auctions have included match-worn shirts, signed footballs, programmes, tickets, and even sponsor rights. Right now, we have a Jamie Murphy signed Breidablik (away programme), a Steve Jones match-worn Co-operative Insurance Cup Semi Final top, a signed 1991 Scottish Cup Final programme and Darren Randolph’s Co-operative Insurance Cup Semi Final top.

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