Latest News

The fixtures for the new ScottishPower Women’s Premier League have been revealed and we will kick off the new season in the Scottish capital at Ainslie Park against Spartans.

Our first home game will be to Montrose on matchday 2, with Aberdeen the visitors on our penultimate match at K-Park.

We will travel to face SWPL2 champions Queens Park on Sunday 22 September before returning to play the reverse fixture on Sunday 24 November.

Our first midweek test will be on the road to face Celtic midweek on the 21 August before facing Rangers in our second midweek encounter on Wednesday 11 December.

We will conclude the regular season in Glasgow, meeting Glasgow City at Petershill Park ahead of the post-split fixtures.

All fixtures are subject to change.

We are looking to add coaches within our girls academy. 

The ideal candidates would have prior coaching experience and are working at UEFA C license level

All roles within the girl’s academy are voluntary positions.

If you are interested and require further details, please contact Head Coach Paul Brownlie or academy coordinator Calum Ross:

Paul.Brownlie@motherwellfc.co.uk

calum.ross@motherwellfc.co.uk

Jenna Penman is our first signing of the summer.

The Scottish youth international defender came through the ranks at Dundee United, impressing in the City of Discovery before joining SWPL2 promotion-chasers Aberdeen.

Capable of operating at the right or centre of defence, Penman then guided the Dons to the 2020/21 SWPL2 league title, before making the switch to Hibernian the following year.

The defender soon traded Leith for Gorgie in the summer of 2022, joining Head coach Eva Olid at local rivals Hearts. The 21-year-old made 34-appearances across two seasons in the Scottish capital, including a Hampden Park appearance in the Scottish Cup final.

“I am delighted to be joining Motherwell,” Jenna Penman said.

“When I spoke to Paul and Leanne, it was evident that the ambition and ethos of the club was exactly in line with my ambitions.

“Motherwell is a great place for me to develop and I am very excited to get started.”

Penman has represented Scotland across a variety of age categories, making 9-appearances throughout her time within the international ranks.

“Jenna will bring real quality to our backline,” head coach Paul Brownlie added.

“She is someone I’ve known for several years and has caught my eye with some impressive performances against us last season.

“Jenna is a very versatile defender, has real quality in possession but also loves to defend. She’s exactly the player I wanted to add to the squad.”

Sarah Gibb, Rebecca Cameron and Laura McCartney have extended their stay at the club after agreeing a contract extension.

Midfielder Laura McCartney will remain with the women of steel for a fourth consecutive season after initially signing on loan in 2021 before making the move permanent last summer.

Recent 2023 acquisitions Sarah Gibb and Rebecca Cameron will commit to their second season in claret and amber after signing on a permanent basis from Glasgow City and St. Johnstone respectively last term.

“This is another positive step in our preparations for the forthcoming season,” Head coach Paul Brownlie said.

“Sarah has settled really well into the squad and has developed her game as the season has progressed. I’m excited to see that progression continue this season.

“Laura has had a tough time with injuries, and getting her back in action was a significant milestone. The season ahead is the perfect opportunity for Laura to find regular first-team action.

“Rebecca has had to bide her time for an opportunity, with Emily performing to a high standard, but when called upon, Rebecca has impressed myself and the rest of the coaching staff. Competition for places is key and crucial to driving high standards on the pitch.”

Gibb cemented her place at the core of the Motherwell midfield over the entirety of her maiden SWPL campaign, featuring on 30-occasions, with the youngster capable of playing in a variety of positions, providing versatility within the Motherwell midfield.

“I’m so happy here,” Gibb explained.

“There’s nowhere else I’d want to be. I want to be apart of the club and try to reach the next level with this group of players. The staff have been excellent with me and have made me feel really valued at the club.”

The return of Laura McCartney from a serious long-term injury – that ruled the midfielder out of action for over two-years – positively influenced the depth of talent in the Motherwell backline. As the squad prepare for the forthcoming season, McCartney will be determined to regain the early signs of momentum shown in a Motherwell shirt.

“I can’t wait for the season to start,” McCartney emphasised.

“Returning to competitive action after an extensive amount of time on the sidelines was a real milestone moment for myself last season and pre-season will be the perfect time for myself to continue that return to regular match action.”

23-year-old shot stopper Cameron closely-fought fellow teammate Emily Mutch for a place in the Motherwell goal, impressing in an inspired performance over eventual league champions Celtic.

“Last season was a really good introduction to the squad and the club as a whole,” Cameron explained.

“Emily and myself have really pushed each others standards which has been a very positive and healthy competition for places. Extending my time at the club for the season ahead is exciting for myself personally and I can’t wait to get started.”

Tara McGonigle, Morgan Hay and Katie Andrews will all depart the club following the expiry of their contracts.

McGonigle and Hay both traded ML3 for ML1 last summer, as the pair departed local rivals Hamilton for claret and amber. However, both couldn’t establish a consistent place in the starting XI and were loaned out to SWPL2 survival hopefuls Gartcairn. The duo played a fundamental role in lifting Gartcairn from the foot of the SWPL2 league table to an eventual sixth-placed finish.

Shot-stopper Katie Andrews joined the women of steel at 16-years-old from Queens Park in 2021 and spent three seasons with the women of steel including two loan spells at Gartcairn and Glasgow Women respectively.

We thank Tara, Morgan and Katie for their efforts at Motherwell and wish them all well for the future.

Bailley Collins has extended her stay at the club after agreeing a contract extension.

The defender, who has been an integral component at K-Park since signing as a free agent from Aberdeen in 2023, has put pen to paper on a one-year extension after an impressive maiden season at the club.

“Bailley has really hit the ground running,” Head coach Paul Brownlie said.

“Even during a tough run of form collectively, Bailley’s performances stood out and her importance to the squad is reflected after featuring in every SWPL game last season.

“Securing Bailley’s signature for the forthcoming season is a real statement of intent for our aspirations of a top-six finish next season.”

Collins wore claret and amber 32-times in the SWPL last season, starting on 27-occasions and netting three times from the Motherwell backline.

“I am delighted to have extended my stay at Motherwell,” Collins emphasised.

“I really enjoyed my first season at the club and am looking forward to continuing my journey here.

“I’m excited to see what we can achieve.”

Now that our 2023/24 ScottishPower SWPL season has reached it’s conclusion, we can provide an update on our playing squad.

Players under contract

• Emily Mutch
• Katie Rice
• Lucy Ronald
• Chelsie Watson
• Gill Inglis
• Louisa Boyes
• Eve Donald
• Jo Addie

Loan players returning to parent club

• Laura Berry
• Brooke Nunn
• Kayla Jardine
• Sophia Martin

Players departing

• Amy Anderson
• Kaela McDonald-Nguah
• Georgie Rafferty
• Kaitlyn Canavan
• Shana MacPhail
• Lori Gardner

Players offered new contract and negotiating

• Bailey Collins
• Tara McGonigle
• Morgan Hay
• Morgan Cross
• Sarah Gibb
• Murron Cunningham
• Laura McCartney
• Rebecca Cameron
• Katie Andrews

We are looking to add a physiotherapist to assist our women’s side ahead of the forthcoming SWPL campaign.

If you are interested and require further details, please contact Head Coach Paul Brownlie:

Paul.Brownlie@motherwellfc.co.uk

The women of steel rounded off the 2023/24 SWPL campaign with their third straight victory and eleventh consecutive unbeaten game to secure a seventh-place finish in a narrow 0-1 victory over Dundee United at Foundation Park

The women of steel travelled to the city of discovery with the understanding that victory over the Tangerines would mathematically secure a seventh-place finish ahead of nearest league rivals Aberdeen. Player of the Year Louisa Boyes netted the solitary goal moments before the half-time break, as Motherwell head into the forthcoming campaign on a high.

Head Coach Paul Brownlie made four changes from the side that cruised to their third Lanarkshire derby victory under the K-Park floodlights midweek. Emily Mutch returned in the Motherwell goal, with Kayla Jardine, Brooke Nunn and Murron Cunningham all returning to the starting XI.

Despite Dundee United requiring a victory to escape the automatic relegation-place, Motherwell started firmly on  the front foot, with goalscorer on the previous meeting Jo Addie almost netting within the opening few minutes. Latching onto the ball from a corner, Addie tried to pick out the near side of the goal, but the defender couldn’t convert from close-range.

Morgan Cross almost netted soon after after shifting the ball onto her stronger right-foot, but the forward’s audacious effort was equally-matched by an excellent reaction save.

The breakthrough came three-minutes into stoppage time, with Boyes expertly escaping her marker to find space yards from goal, and the midfielder calmly placed a low effort into the centre of the United goal.

As the second-half resumed, chances from Berry and Anderson tested the United goal, but with Aberdeen conceding twice to Spartans and Hamilton three-behind Montrose, both sides were content to play out the remaining minutes with ease.

The women of steel now head into the forthcoming campaign with confidence and momentum in the pursuit of a top-six finish, as an eleven-game unbeaten run concludes the 2023/24 SWPL campaign in style.

The city of discovery will await the women of steel this weekend, as Motherwell prepare for the final challenge in their quest to finish at the top of the split, with victory in the season finale securing a seventh-place finish in the 2023/24 SWPL table.

The visitors travel to Dundee with the understanding that a solitary point would ensure a place ahead of nearest rivals Aberdeen on goal-difference.

Chelsie Watson’s 95^th-minute winner at the Balmoral stadium last weekend opened up a two-point advantage over the Dons prior to a third successive Lanarkshire derby victory this season after two convincing four-goal victories over Hamilton across both sides of the river Clyde.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

The hosts have firmly taken the post-split fixtures in their stride, maintaining an exceptional unbeaten run of 10-successive games. Five straight home victories throughout that spell have propelled the women of steel to the top of the split.

Victory in the Granite City last weekend ensured the women of steel’s momentum in achieving a seventh-place finish remained firmly within their own hands ahead of a highly-anticipated encounter with SWPL survival hopefuls Dundee United.

Striker Morgan Cross deservedly earned a place in the Scotland U23s squad to face Denmark in a double-header of friendlies this month after impressing in recent weeks, including a brace against Hamilton on Wednesday evening.

Dundee United

The hosts sit precariously above the automatic relegation spot, one point ahead of Hamilton who travel to face Montrose on the final day of the season.

Five points from their last four SWPL encounters have noticeably aided the Tangerines survival hopes after a run of 15-straight league defeats.

Ticket information 

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

• Adult – £5
• Concession – Free to enter
• Under 11s – Free to enter

How to follow the action 

Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match. Kick-off from Foundation Park at 12PM.