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A Lanarkshire family has launched a nationwide search to find a bone marrow donor to help save their son’s life and maybe you can help?

Three-year-old Ryan Ferguson, from East Kilbride, has been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) and could require a bone marrow transplant to help him fight the condition.

Ryan’s parents Stuart and Paula launched an appeal on social networking site, Facebook at the weekend, and within two days attracted more than 2000 followers.

Now Stuart and Paula, with the aid of blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan, are organising a drive to find a donor.

Mr Ferguson said: “We got a blood test done at the doctor as Ryan has been unwell for eight weeks. It was confirmed on Tuesday, August 16 that he had leukaemia.

“He had ten days of chemotherapy and then spent four weeks in isolation. We were diagnosed on the Tuesday and he was meant to start nursery the following Monday, which he was so excited about.

[pullquote]I’m not doing this to say ‘Oh, poor wee Ryan’, it’s about raising awareness of how easy it is to join the Anthony Nolan register and how important it is.[/pullquote]

“Instead of sitting by a hospital bed and just watching Ryan trying to fight this, I’d rather put the word out there that donating isn’t a big deal. People don’t know how simple this is and how important it is.

“We started the Facebook page just thinking if we could maybe get a couple of hundred people on it who can come along, that’ll be a result and we will have done really well. I think now we’ve got more than 1700 followers, it’s just gone through the roof.

“I’m not doing this to say ‘Oh, poor wee Ryan’, it’s about raising awareness of how easy it is to join the Anthony Nolan register and how important it is.”

Potential donors who attend the East Kilbride recruitment drive will need to give a sample of saliva and fill in a short questionnaire.

Any successful donors will need to give a blood sample to confirm the match and could go on to donate stem cells either from bone marrow in the pelvis or by taking blood from a vein in their arm.

Potential donors within the family have already been tested. Ryan’s two brothers Calum, ten, and eight-year-old Andrew, have also been tested to see if they are a match. If one of the boys is not a match for Ryan, the search will begin for a donor.

Mr Ferguson said: “The boys don’t know a lot about Ryan’s condition at this time and what a bone marrow donation would mean.  We’ve just told them that they might have something in their blood that could help Ryan.  As soon as we said that they could potentially save their brothers life they told both myself and Paula that they wanted to do anything they could.”

As well as the strong response from family and Facebook friends, other organisations across Lanarkshire have lent the family their support. Lanarkshire Strathclyde Fire and Rescue have offered to staff the Holiday Inn event.

Potential donors must be between the age of 18 and 40 and in good health. The clinic will take place at the East Kilbride Holiday Inn on Sunday, October 9 between 10am and 4pm.

Words: STV

Motherwell Football Club can today (Thursday) confirm that the Scottish Football Association (SFA) made the club aware that one of our players was taken to a Merseyside Police Station early this morning in connection with an ongoing investigation.

We have no further comment to make at this time. Any further statement would be wholly inappropriate and the club can and will only do so when properly appraised of the next steps in the process by the relevant authorities.

Motherwell U19s are in action this coming Saturday when they take on Second Division side Arbroath at Fir Park.

With the rest of senior football taking a break for Scotland’s crucial double header, Gordon Young’s men will be looking to progress in a tournament they have struggled in over the last few years.

However, Arbroath will prove stiff opponents and ‘Well will have to be at the very best having lost to lower league opposition at the same stage of the competition last year.

Confidence is sure to be high amongst the Claret and Amber ranks though – ‘Well sit fifth in the table after seven matches; just six points behind league leaders Celtic.

Indeed, ‘Well are unbeaten now for well over a month, a run stretching four games which includes excellent draws against both halves of the Old Firm.

Head of Youth Development Gordon Young said, “We have had a decent start to the season with what is, by in large, a new group of players. We are playing at Fir Park and, for many of our players, this will be the first occasion they have experienced playing at such an arena in front of supporters.

“If you are not doing anything on Saturday and fancy some football ahead of the Scotland match, get along to Fir Park and support the U19s. The players would very much appreciate your support!”

Entry to the match at Fir Park will be £2 for adults and £1 for concessions (U16 and Over 60s) with kick-off at 1pm.

It is time for you to decide who you think deserves to win the Cash Converters Player of the Month for September.

Every month this season, sponsors Cash Converters will give you the opportunity to present the Motherwell Player of the Month with a trophy.

All you need to do is vote for which ‘Well player you think has been the stand-out performer for September and you could be chosen at random from all entries received, to congratulate our star man in person at Fir Park!

After Nicky law received the Player of the Month award for August, who do you think deserves it this month?

To cast your vote, simply visit our Cash Converters SPL Facebook page 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 November 5th , when Aberdeen visit Fir Park.

For the September Player of the Month – VOTE HERE.

There are some fantastic and unique lots currently up for action on the clubs’ own eBay store.

The club’s official eBay store is full of claret and amber goodies you won’t find anywhere else!

From signed merchandise to hospitality packages and money can’t buy experiences, fans have the chance to get their hands on some exclusive Motherwell memorabilia?

Previous auctions have included match-worn shirts, signed footballs, programmes, tickets, and even sponsor rights. Right now, we have three 2010/11 training sweaters (Bob McHugh, John Sutton and Ross Forbes), a signed Darren Randolph European goalkeepers jersey issued for the match versus Breidablik and two incredible items, signed match worn boots previously belonging to Tom Hateley and Ross Forbes.

CLICK HERE to browse everything at our official eBay store.

The club also run charity auctions from time to time where all proceeds go towards one of the many local charities we support.

If you wish to donate an item please contact us on 01698 333333 or email bid@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Standard eBay terms and conditions apply to any purchases.

Experience life as a professional footballer with the Steelmen this October week holiday.

Take your football skills to the next level and experience life as a Professional Footballer in our first ever, week-long MFC coaching programme during the October School Week from:

Monday 17th until Friday 21st October

For the first time ever, Motherwell Football Club is offering young people between the ages of 6 and 12 the opportunity to experience life as a professional footballer in our Academy Experience programme.

Academy Experience is a week long intensive programme which will replicate the coaching received by professional players, and will include

• Training sessions delivered by members of the first team squad
• Coaching session with Kenny Black our Assistant Manager
• Training session at Fir Park.

Comprehensive coaching will include game awareness, technique development, balance, creativity, and nutrition.

Academy Experience is designed to take young players to the next level of performance, and to instil in them the skills and confidence they require to develop their potential.

Coaching will be delivered by our highly-qualified SFA accredited coaches, and the young people will be rubbing shoulders with the first team professionals and youth squads. Participants will also be presented with a certificate signed by Motherwell Manager, and former Scotland star, Stuart McCall.

The five-day programme costs just £55 which includes a healthy breakfast. Players should bring their own packed lunch, and appropriate footwear and clothing – and a change to allow for inclement weather.

Click here to download our brochure.

For further information, and to book please call us on: 01698 239 926 or go to our website at www.motherwellsoccerschools.com

Michael Higdon was thrilled after his man-of-the-match display against Dundee United helped the Steelmen to a terrific 3-1 victory.

The summer signing from St Mirren doubled Motherwell’s lead, calmly capatalising on a Dusan Pernis mistake, after Keith Lasley had opened the scoring.

And the former Falkirk hit-man completed his brace, calmly firing home from the penalty spot, despite team-mate Steve Jennings initially trying to claim the responsibility. Higdon smiled: “Jenno came over to me and said: ‘On your bike lad’. No chance!”

The goals added a deserved gloss to an energetic, bustling display as the 28-year old who gave the United defence, including Scotland international Garry Kenneth, a torrid afternoon.

Indeed, it was the perfect response after receiving some criticism for his display against Aberdeen last week from the fans – and from himself.

[pullquote]I have to keep working hard and I got my rewards this week. I am looking to beat last season’s total of 15 and I am well on the way to that.[/pullquote]

“I watched the DVD of last week’s game and I’m surprised they didn’t boo me more than they did,” said a refreshingly honest Higdon.  “Hopefully they will enjoy their pint tonight and recognise I am a good player.

“Three points was the main thing and two goals to top it off. I didn’t turn up last week, and it was the same in the St. Johnstone game, so the lads have been carrying me the last couple of weeks.

“I have to keep working hard and I got my rewards this week. I am looking to beat last season’s total of 15 and I am well on the way to that.”

Stuart McCall was full of praise for two-goal striker Michael Higdon in the wake of Motherwell’s 3-1 win over Dundee United at Tannadice.

Higdon capitalised on a goalkeeping error and coolly slotted home a penalty as the bustling striker showed the qualities which convinced McCall to bring him to Fir Park in the summer.

It takes the former Falkirk man’s tally to a more than respectable six goals in eleven appearances, and his manager is in no doubt that the 28-year old will continue to be a real goal threat for the ‘Well.

“Before he scored, in the first three or four games, he’d had shots kicked off the line or headed off the line, so he could be in double figures by now,” the Steelmen gaffer praised.

“I’m pleased for him, he’s got some stick off some fans in our last home game, and he’s reacted well to it.

“He knows how much we value him. He trains hard, he’s a conscientious lad and the rest of the boys are behind him, as they are each other.

“From the first whistle we’ve got in about it. We’ve talked about all week that we need to defend as a unit and fight in the midfield. We knew the midfield area was going to be key and I thought  Higdon led the line very well. All the pieces of the jigsaw fitted together today.”

[pullquote]He knows how much we value him. He trains hard, he’s a conscientious lad and the rest of the boys are behind him, as they are each other.[/pullquote]

Higdon’s super brace was supplemented by a fine strike by Keith Lasley, who appears to have discovered something of a goal touch in his 30’s

The ‘Well legend fired in his third goal of the campaign against the Terrors – already his most prolific season since he racked up four in the 2003/04 campaign.

McCall joked that the 32-year old’s form was down to him showing Keith his ‘Two Greatest Goals’ DVD, before praising the fluency of his opener, and the subsequent team effort to see out the result.

The former Bradford boss continued: “The first was a great team goal, well worked and a great finish.

“With Jenno back in there back to his best, that allows Lasley and Law to get forward and in to the box, that’s what we’ve worked on. We had to match up with them in the midfield and it worked out well. It’s been a good day for us.

“Then to get the second goal just on half time was great. The ball fell right at Michael’s feet, but it was perhaps on his weaker side, so he’s done well to put it away.

“All in all it was a good day’s work, borne out of team effort really. The only negative is going home without the clean sheet.”