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There’s still time to vote in the Cash Converters Player of the Month competition and you could be chosen at random from all entries received and congratulate our star man in person.

Every month this season, Cash Converters will be giving you the opportunity to present your Motherwell Player of the Month with a trophy, and now is your chance to vote for who you think deserves to receive August’s award.

It’s been an excellent month for the Steelmen who sit joint top of the Scottish Premier League table – has the mercurial Jamie Murphy caught your eye?

Or what about new signing Nicky Law; the former Rotherham man has been at the heart of everything good. Big Michael Higdon has already bagged three goals and Tom Hateley is not far behind with two belters.

Skipper Stephen Craigan has made his best start to the season in years and Stevie Hammell is back to some of the form that won him International recognition.

No matter who it is, all you need to do is vote for which ‘Well player you think has been the stand-out performer for August and, if you are correct, you could be chosen at random from all entries received, to congratulate our star man in person.

To cast your vote, simply visit our Motherwell Facebook page, ‘Up the Well’ or by CLICKING HERE.

The link will also give you the opportunity to enter the draw to take part in the next Convert for Cash, which will be taking place on September 24th, when Aberdeen visit Fir Park.

For the August Player of the Month – VOTE HERE.

Prices for the Scottish Communities League Cup clash with Hibernian on Tuesday 20th September can now be confirmed.

This match will be pay-at-the-gate with admission as follows:

• Prices are for all four stands (Phil O’Donnell, Davie Cooper, East and South (Away) Stand.
• Season Tickets are valid for this match using the “Domestic Cup Tie” voucher near the middle of the book.
• Concessions are listed as Over 60s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
• Juveniles aer listed as Under 16.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact John McCaskie on 01555 870122 or email sharon.mccaskie@sky.com.

300 fans attended the Alona Hotel last night as the Board of Motherwell FC outlined their plans for the future of the club.

The top-table panel, consisting of board members Derek Weir, Bill Dickie, Leeann Dempster, Andrew Wilson, Jim McMahon and John Swinburne were joined by ‘Well skipper Stephen Craigan.

The evening, compered by Andrew, kicked off with a general welcome and an outlined the clubs’ objective of becoming a unique fan-run club.

Derek Weir gave a short presentation about the legal side of the new Well Society, detailing some of the stresses, strains and pains of the last few months as the club constructed the Industrial and Provident Society (IPS) with lawyers and still await approval from the Financial Services Authority (FSA).

[pullquote]There are too many negatives around Scottish football at this time, but together, the club and fans, have a real chance to do something incredibly positive and secure the future for this club for our children and our children’s children.[/pullquote]

Jim McMahon, a board member since 2001, then outlined some of the financial aspects of how the Society will work and operate. Jim also outlined the share transfer plans with approximately 45% of Mr Boyle’s holdings being transferred to the IPS upon completion with the remaining 55% migrated when the society is fully functioning and ready to take on majority control of the football club.

Jim also talked at length about his hope of raising capital somewhere in the region of £1.5 million, although no actual membership target has been set, to act as a buffer in temporary cash flow situations.

Leeann Dempster, Chief Executive, then spoke in-depth about how the board had come to their current proposals and a breakdown of the various memberships that will be on offer when all plans and proposals are confirmed. Several levels are available, starting at £300 for the ‘Steel’ Membership with the ability to spread payments interest free, all the way through to the premium “1886” Membership, aimed at successful business’ and individuals,  with a mouth-watering array of benefits.

Leeann was also keen to stress the one member, one vote philosophy no matter the financial commitment and hoped the Society would be fully up and running, with the ability to take membership fees by November or December.

Finally, Stephen Craigan gave an account of what the fans and the club mean to the players and how the stronger involvement of supporters through the Society would benefit the club, even on the pitch. The 54-times capped Northern Irish International recalled some of his days with the club and memorable occasions whilst wearing Claret and Amber and encouraged everyone to get on board.

He also revealed that former hero James McFadden has agreed to become involved as the first member and that he, along with his 20-month old daughter, would become member two and three.

Bill Dickie, Vice-Chairman, and John Swinburne both gave short address’ giving their backing to the Society. Mr Swinburne, in particular, gave a rousing speech about his long and illustrious life watching Motherwell and encouraged everyone to follow in his footsteps when he first received shares some 40-years ago.

Following the formalities, the floor was open to ask questions in a Question Time style Q&A. A mixture of clarifications, ideas and encouragement; over thirty questions, varying from the financial model, timelines, a family option and others were all discussed at length.

The evening ended with a vote of thanks and a promise of more meetings and consultation with fans as the fine-tuning before the proper launch continues.

Afterwards, Leeann Dempster told motherwellfc.co.uk, “We are all delighted with the turnout and the overwhelming positivity and feedback we received from supporters.

“We have unanimous board support for this exciting venture. Many clubs turn to their fans at a time of weakness, of financial difficulty. We are approaching fans now at a time of strength – on and off the park.

“Together we can ensure a great football for Motherwell FC. I have consistently said over the past two years that our ultimate aim is to become the best run family-friendly, community club in Scotland and tonight was a massive step in that direction. This is a historic opportunity for the club and its supporters to really make a mark for the future.

“There are too many negatives around Scottish football at this time, but together, the club and fans, have a real chance to do something incredibly positive and secure the future for this club for our children and our children’s children. Perhaps even point the way forward for the whole of Scottish football.”

Referee for this Saturday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Celtic at Celtic Park will be Alan Muir.

Coincidentally, Muir was the man in the middle the last time Motherwell visited the east end of Glasgow – when a young and unfamiliar side crashed to a 4-0 defeat as Stuart McCall rested players ahead of the Scottish Cup Final.

That was Muir’s fourth ‘Well game of the season, having overseen the 1-1 draw with St Mirren in Paisley last November, January’s 2-0 win over Hibs at Fir Park and February’s 6-0 capitulation at Ibrox.

He’ll be a familiar face to Motherwell fans having taken charge of three games the season before last too.

A 4-0 defeat by Celtic in Glasgow eighteen months ago was instantly forgettable. He also took charge of the 3-2 extra-time with over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Co-operative Insurance Cup Fourth Round and the lively 2-2 draw against Dundee United back in late November 2009.

In all those games he has produced 33 yellow cards, fifteen of which were shown to a player in claret and amber, and two red card, the first given to former defender Paul Quinn for a professional foul on David Fernandez in the 1-0 defeat to Killie and the most recent to Michael Higdon, then an opposition player, in that game with St Mirren last November.

The 36-year-old has taken charge of three SPL games in this campaign, including Kilmarnock’s 1-1 draw with Dundee Utd, Rangers’ 2-0 win at McDiarmid Park and, most recently, St Mirren’s 2-1 success at Easter Road.

He will be ably assisted on the day by Willie Conquer and Lawrence Kerrigan, with Gary Hilland on fourth official duties.

Tickets for Saturday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Celtic at Celtic Park are currently on sale from the Fir Park Ticket Office.

Tickets are priced at:

• Concessions are listed as Under 16s and Over 65s.
• The cheaper ticket price is for restricted view areas.
• Fans should note that the ticket office at Fir Park will be open on Saturday morning (10am – 1pm) but no tickets will be on sale, at all, from Celtic Park either on the day of the match or before.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact John McCaskie on 01555 870122 or email sharon.mccaskie@sky.com.

Pictures from the 2-1 win over St Mirren in the Clydesdale Bank Under 19s League at McKenna Park.

[svgallery name=”stmirrenu19s020911″]

Motherwell U19s bounced back from last week’s disappointing defeat at the hands of St Johnstone with a 2-1 win over St Mirren at McKenna Park today.

After an entertaining, but scoreless, first-half, Motherwell took the lead shortly after the restart when Craig Moore latched on to a Stuart Carswell cross to blast his side into the lead.

The one goal advantage quickly became two when defender Darren Brownlie, up for a corner, found space at the back post to turn and bundle the ball past the keeper and a number of defenders.

Saints, to their credit, quickly hit back though when Anton Brady’s fine finish from the edge of the area bounced past the helpless Willie Muir.

However, the goal didn’t catapult the hosts back into the match – indeed, Motherwell were the only team really threatening as the game headed towards its conclusion but the score stayed the same and the points returned to Lanarkshire.

After last week’s heartbreaking stoppage time defeat to Saints at Bathgate, Gordon Young opted for two changes to his side.

Striker Moore came in to replace Lee Erwin who had to be content with a place amongst the subs and Stuart Carswell made a welcome return to the side after missing the opening three matches whilst with the first-team. The unfortunate Adam Ashgar was the man who dropped out.

It was a bright but breezy afternoon in Glasgow, perfect for football, and Motherwell almost made the perfect start when a short back pass allowed Keiran McGachie to drive towards goal. By the time he reached the box though, Saints were starting to get back in numbers and after forcing the big striker to cut inside, his driving shot from the edge of the box flew just over the bar.

Six minutes later, the same player again pounced on some slack defending and after beating Michael McNiven to the ball, the former Stenny man looked to have been clipped just inside the area. He was, however, a victim of his own honesty and after staying on his feet, managed to square the ball to Steve Hetherington whose curling effort was terrifically saved by the recovering Saints keeper.

Motherwell continued to press and looked the team most likely to score and, with 20 minutes on the clock, a combination of superb goalkeeping and poor finishing kept it at 0-0.

McGachie, who was at the centre of everything Motherwell had in the final third, was again the creator. Collecting a poor kick-out, he wasted no time in unleashing a stinging effort that forced McNiven to parry. The ball dropped for Stuart Carswell, who looked to have a tap in, but could only screw the ball wide from an acute angle.

‘Well continued to push and had more than a few crosses into the box which were mopped up by the sturdy Saints backline.

Into the second half and after Saints had the chance to test Muir from a free-kick from the edge of the area (that ballooned high over the bar), Motherwell finally took the lead and it was a sweeping move of some quality.

Keiran MacDonald, Zane Francis-Angol and Hermann Mboa Mekongo all combined in the middle of the park, with the latter spreading it wide to the right flank for Nicky Devlin. The former Dumbarton full-back quickly played in the supporting Carswell who flashed a lovely cross towards the near post where Craig Moore nipped in ahead of Jason Naismith to smash the ball home from close range.

That goal only succeeded in pushing Motherwell on and McGachie once again came close to getting his name on the scoresheet. Racing on to a long Euan Murray ball over the top, he outpaced the covering defender but his low shot was well saved by the feet of McNiven at the expense of a corner.

It looked as if it was only a matter of time before the Steelmen doubled their advantage and so it came courtesy of an unlikely source. A Keiran MacDonald corner from the right was flicked on at the near post before landing at the feet of Darren Brownlie. The big defender was afforded time and space to turn and shoot the ball into the net from a tight angle, the ball somehow weaving its way past a posse of defenders and the goalkeeper.

Incredibly, from a position of control, Motherwell were immediately pegged back as St Mirren brought themselves back into the game with an excellent strike. Mark Lamont created space on the left and his deep cross towards the back post was cushioned down for the supporting Anton Brady who lashed a shot home from just inside the area.

Game on? Well, not really as Motherwell never really looked under too much pressure as the game wound down to a finish. Indeed, Euan Murray almost restored the two-goal deficit with a header from a corner that was knocked off the line and McGachie was denied a penalty for the second time when he appeared to be pulled down by McNiven but the referee wasn’t interested, pointing for a corner and not at the penalty spot.

Just before full-time, ‘Well had a golden opportunity to make the points safe but once again, McGachie was denied by McNiven. Francis-Angol and Mboa Mekongo worked a brilliant move down the left which finished with a decent ball into the area from the left back. It was only partially cleared and after Carswell and sub Lee Erwin had combined, it fell kindly for striker inside the box but his shot was expertly saved by Saints’ on-form goalkeeper with three players all waiting to tuck it home.

It was the last action of an otherwise entertaining encounter. Motherwell move into third in the table ahead of tomorrow’s other matches and face last season’s league winners Celtic next Saturday at Lennoxtown (12 noon kick off).

Motherwell: Muir, Francis-Angol, Murray, Brownlie (Lynch), Murray, Devlin, Hetherington, Mboa Mekongo, Carswell, MacDonald (Erwin), Moore, McGachie

Subs Not Used: Stewart, Green, Ashgar, Leitch

One final reminder to fans to come along and be a part of an exciting new dawn as Motherwell prepare to launch the ‘Well Society.

Taking place on Monday 5th September at the Alona Hotel, Strathclyde Park; all fans are invited to attend the first in a number of open meetings.

Top of the agenda will be the board’s plans, aims and objectives following John Boyle’s retirement during the summer and the new membership Scheme – “The ‘Well Society”.

Commenting, Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said, “We are delighted to announce this, the first of a series of meetings over coming weeks where our fans can debate directly with the whole board on our soon-to-be-launched, exciting new membership scheme.

“We have all known for some time that John’s stewardship of the club was coming to an end.

“The Board has said on a number of occasions that, ultimately, we wish to be owned by the Community and this proposed new structure is a huge step towards setting out how to achieve this goal. We believe it will put the club in the unique position of not being reliant on either a benefactor or the bank.

“We want the people of this community to have pride in the club as a responsible representative of the region, regardless of whether or not they attend the games on a match day.“

“If you genuinely wish to see the club succeed and flourish and build on an already rich heritage, then come along and get involved on the 5th of September. All questions, points and opinions are very much welcome – nothing is off limits.”

Doors will open at 6.30pm with the meeting scheduled to start at 7pm. The venue can accommodate 500 supporters some of whom may need to stand.