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Motherwell Football Club are removing the word ‘Ladies’ from the name of the women’s team.

Going forward, Donald Jennow’s side will simply play under the banner of Motherwell Football Club, with reference being made to the team as women only when needed for clarity.

Since officially coming under the wing of the club in 2018, Motherwell have performed outstandingly, winning the SWPL2 title and promotion in record time, and reaching the SSE Scottish Cup final in the same season.

In general terms, the club does not think it is necessary to specifically highlight the different genders of teams when discussing any side which is part of Motherwell Football Club.

“Whether it is the first team, reserves or women, all of our players play as Motherwell FC,” chief executive Alan Burrows said.

“We want to completely remove the idea that our female players exist as some form of ‘arms length’ side. The team, as you would expect, train in club facilities and obviously play in the same kits.

“We are all united together, and this name change is another indication of our intent to grow and promote our women’s team as they start life in the top flight.”

Forward Sam McManus added: “Since day one we’ve felt part of the club, so the name change feels a natural progression for everyone.

“We’re proud to wear the Motherwell badge and represent the club, and hope that supporters will get behind us as we start playing in the top flight of the women’s game in Scotland.

The team start the new campaign in the top flight on Sunday, when Stirling University are the visitors to Fir Park*. Kick off is at 2pm.

The women’s team’s social media content will also come from the official Motherwell Football Club accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter going forward.

*The nominated home venue throughout the 2019 season will be the indoor pitch at the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility. However, due to upgrade and replacement works currently taking place on the synthetic surface, Fir Park is being utilised for Sunday’s SWPL1 fixture.

With just days to go until Motherwell play their first ever fixture in SWPL1, the excitement within Donald Jennow’s newly-assembled squad is building.

Last season, the women of steel enjoyed a remarkable campaign, setting a record points tally on the way to the SWPL2 title and reaching the Scottish Cup final.

The heavy defeat in the cup final to Hibernian was the only disappointment in a season in which Motherwell regularly demonstrated their superiority, with empathic victories and highly impressive performances.

Progression to the top level of Scottish women’s football will provide a huge challenge for Jennow’s side. But it is one he is relishing.

Only five players of last season’s squad remain at the club ahead of the step up, with the ‘Well boss bringing in no fewer than 13 new faces to Fir Park during the close season.

“We are looking forward to it and I’m happy with how we are progressing,” Jennow said.

“Making the changes hasn’t been difficult because of the support I’ve had.

“The coaching team have been a great help with recruitment.

“Part of the reason that I’m so happy with the players we brought in is that it wasn’t a hard sell, they all want to be here and that’s half the battle.”

Jennow’s squad have prepared for the new season with friendly encounters against Newcastle and St Johnstone as well as an intense training schedule.

‘Well were denied victory over Newcastle by a stoppage time equaliser, before coming back from a goal down to defeat St Johnstone 3-1.

Next up is the season opener against Stirling University at Fir Park on 10 February, with the women of steel determined to get off to a winning start.

“Both pre-season games have been very competitive,” he added.

“I think St Johnstone will do well this year and I want to thank them for their hospitality on the day.

“We know step up in quality of opposition means that we will have to improve as well.

“Targets are something that any squad will have, but I think they are best kept in house.

“What I will say is that the first job for any newly promoted side is survival – so that’s where we’ll start.

“This next week is the best of pre-season, as soon as the next game is a competitive one then the dynamic changes a bit.”

While many Motherwell fans would have followed the successes of the team last season via the club website channels and through social media, it was unfortunate that their only live televised fixture resulted in a heavy defeat.

Hibs, who have now recorded back-to-back cup doubles swept Motherwell aside at Firhill, in what was a bitterly disappointing day for the team.

Jennow admits he’s still not fully over the pain of suffering such a heavy defeat on the big stage, but believes the turnover in personnel at the club means that there will be no negative effects on his players.

“Personally the Scottish Cup final stung and I won’t forget it easily,” he confessed.

“It’s important to remember though that this is a new squad, most of them weren’t there so we won’t be dwelling on it.”

2019 is set to be a huge year for women’s football in Scotland and the undoubted highlight will come when Shelly Kerr leads Scotland into their first ever World Cup in June.

Domestic football is set for heightened exposure too, with BBC Alba showing an increased number of games during the season ahead.

The Motherwell gaffer is pleased that the women’s game is enjoying increased coverage and insists it is just reward for the abilities and dedication of the players involved.

As well as increased media coverage of the game, Jennow also hopes to see more supporters getting along to back his team during their first season in the top flight.

“Exposure is for the players,” said the former Glasgow City assistant.

“They deserve recognition and promotion for their talent and commitment.

“Hopefully the players will also feel a bit more valued due to the heightened interest.

“A positive from the cup final in how many supporters turned out and it would be great if a few could come along to the league games this year.”

Motherwell recorded their first victory of 2019 with an impressive 3-1 victory over St Johnstone.

Following up from last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Newcastle, Donald Jennow’s side went one better in the cold and windy conditions at McDiarmid Park.

It was the hosts who broke the deadlock after six minutes through their captain Jade McDonald, but ‘Well came battling back and Kerry Montgomery headed home an equaliser just after the half hour mark.

There were chances at both ends early in the second half before Chelsea McEachran fired ‘Well in front with quarter of an hour remaining and Sarah Crilly put the game beyond doubt when she swept home after 86 minutes.

The women of steel started the game brightly and there was chances for Crilly and Katie Rice before Saints took the lead.

Motherwell were caught out in possession, allowing the hosts to counter and McDonald rounded Morgan Hunter before calmly rolling the ball into the net.

A back and forth game followed with both sides creating plenty of chances, Ellie May Cowie continued to look dangerous for the home side while Montgomery was pulling the strings in midfield for the ‘Well, continuously looking to exploit the space in behind the defence.

The equaliser arrived after 32 minutes, when Montgomery rose highest to power home a header despite the best effort of the Saints defender on the line.

Hunter twice denied Cowie to ensure the game was level at the break and the former Killie keeper again produced a brilliant stop to deny the midfielder after the restart.

‘Well were also carrying a threat in attack and the ever dangerous Crilly saw her looping shot cannon back off the crossbar before Rice was denied by a good save.

With 15 minutes remaining the turnaround was complete, the Saints defence were unable to scramble clear Hayley Cunningham’s corner and McEachran smashed the ball high into the roof of the net

The game was put beyond doubt with four minutes left on the clock and it came from yet another flowing Motherwell attack.

Cunningham burst into the box brilliantly and laid the ball to Maxine Welsh who saw her shot blocked before Crilly converted to cap an excellent showing with a goal.

Motherwell get their SWPL1 campaign underway in two weeks time when they host Stirling University at Ravenscraig.

Donald Jennow has bolstered his squad with a host of new faces ahead of Motherwell’s first season in SWPL1.

Among the recruits are Sarah Crilly, who has been capped four times by Scotland and moves from Celtic to add further experience to the midfield, having also spent three years with Glasgow City.

Her international debut made the headlines back in 2012. Attending a friendly match with Norway as a fan, having trained with the team the previous day, a succession of injuries led to her being called from the stands to join the action. Even more remarkably, wearing oversized kit and boots, she scored the equaliser in a 2-2 draw.

Katie Rice was formerly with Hamilton and the 19-year-old has been capped at various youth levels by Scotland. She’s also joined by her former Accies team-mate Lori Gardner, who plays up front.

Mhairi Fyfe has spent time in recent years in the United States of America, breaking records with Campbellsville University Tigers in Kentucky, becoming their all-time record goal scorer.

Goalkeeper Morgan Hunter joins from Kilmarnock, having faced us in SWPL2 last season, as did her ex-Killie team-mate Kirsten Rolph and Morgan Hay, who signs on from Glasgow Girls.

Claire Adams made the switch from Rangers to Celtic for the 2018 season, with the 20-year-old midfielder joining from the Glasgow side alongside defender Georgie Rafferty, who has also joined the women of steel.

They are joined by current Scotland Under 17 international Chelsea McEachran, former EUHV forward Beth McLeod, Stephanie Knox, who spent a short spell with us at the start of last season, Sam McManus, who has been promoted from our development squad, and former Scotland youth cap midfielder Stacey Hutchison, who has signed on from Hearts.

Kendall Welsh, Kerry Montgomery, Hayley Cunningham, Natasha Roberts and Maxine Welsh have been retained from the squad that were crowned SWPL2 champions, and they are joined by Caitlin Russell, who has made her loan spell from Hibernian permanent.

“It has been a busy close season for us and there have been significant changes to the playing squad,” manager Jennow said.

“I am delighted to have some really important players sign up again for the season ahead. Kendall, Maxine, Natasha, Kerry, Hayley and Caitlin all played significant roles in the success the club had and are players I know are excited by the challenge ahead.

“To supplement those returning, we have recruited a number of very talented players. I am sure will they will fit in well. We have brought in players who will work hard, are motivated and can create moments that win games.

“There are also a number of players who have left the club and they all depart with our best wishes and the knowledge they helped the club reach SWPL1.”

Motherwell boss Donald Jennow believes game time was the most important factor, as his side conceded a late leveller in a friendly draw at Newcastle United.

The women of steel twice led the match and despite working with a vastly different squad from last season, played some encouraging football during an encounter that was contested in freezing conditions.

With Motherwell’s SWPL1 season opener against Stirling University just three weeks away, Jennow will continue to ramp up the intensity of training to ensure his side are ready for the step up to the top flight.

“The team have come off the back of quite a long off season and while training has been very good, nothing substitutes the minutes and the type of work that goes into a game,” he said.

“We’re getting there, there’s still work to be done though, we’ll able to continue to ramp things up in terms of intensity.

“Things are going to schedule so far and hopefully as we move closer to the start of the season, then that will continue.”

The 280-mile round trip presented a good opportunity for the much changed ‘Well squad to build team spirit, as well as testing themselves against English opposition.

It was a test Jennow believes they handled well and he was keen to talk up the positive effects of a lengthy pre-season trip.

“It was a good first step,” he added. “The couple of hours on the bus and in the restaurant after the game gives the players a chance to have a conversation about something other than football.

“You want players who get on with each other as much as being able to play football together.”

Maxine Welsh says Motherwell are relishing the chance to prove the doubters wrong again.

The 21-year-old played a big part in the latter stages of ‘Well’s charge to the SWPL2 title last season, securing promotion to the top flight.

A record-breaking campaign ended with the stinging disappointment of 8-0 thrashing in the Scottish Cup final against Hibs, but Welsh insists the experience will ensure the women of steel will return stronger and more determined.

“I think there is a bit of unfinished business following the final,” she said.

“I don’t we did ourselves justice and while there’s a lot of new faces, those of us who have stayed are determined to make up for the disappointment and hopefully the rest will have the same desire.

“I think I’ve said it before but I think we were really underestimated last season. We won the league last season and now want to show we can handle it in SWPL1.

“It’s a good calibre of players, we’re gelling well and quickly as a team – so I think we’ll do well this season.

“We know that it’s important we are fitter than we were last season as we are up against better teams, the hard work is required.”

Motherwell make the trip south on Sunday for a pre-season encounter with FA Women’s National League North side Newcastle United.

It’ll be the first of three warm up matches ahead of the start of the SWPL1 campaign on 10 February, and one the former Glasgow City youngster says the full squad are looking forward to.

“It’s quite exciting and the trip away will give the team a good chance to bond too,” she said. “I’m looking forward to playing in the top league much more with Motherwell than I was City.

“Personally I’m hoping to cement my position, last season I was obviously just filling in at centre half, I want to find my position, make it permanent, make sure I’m in the team every week and enjoy my football after a long time out with injury.”

Motherwell’s fixtures for SWPL1 have been announced for the 2019 campaign. 

Donald Jennow’s side gained promotion to the top flight after an impressive season in which they also made it to the final of the Scottish Cup.

And now the club can turn their attentions to what will be a historic campaign as they prepare for their first ever season in the top flight.

They will open the campaign with a home clash against Stirling University on Sunday, 10 February, before heading to take on Forfar Farmington for their first away fixture.

Jennow’s women will get an early shot against the side who defeated them in the Scottish Cup final when they host Hibernian in the third game of the season.

For a run down of the full fixture list, click here.

Motherwell’s Suzanne Mulvey has been named as the Player of the Year in SWPL 2.

Recognised for her role in the club’s record points tally in their title-winning season, the forward was honoured at the Scottish Women’s Football awards on Saturday night.

Mulvey, who was the team’s leading scorer in 2018 with 26 goals, was also named as the Coaches Player of the Year in the club’s own awards.

Megan Burns was nominated for Goal of the Season, while former coach Eddie Wolecki Black was on the shortlist for Manager of the Year.

Motherwell were unable to cap an incredible season by lifting the SSE Scottish Women’s Cup as they fell to a crushing 8-0 defeat against Hibs.

The women of steel headed into the showpiece fixture at Firhill as massive underdogs and, after conceding in the second minute, rarely came close to defying the odds.

Abigail Harrison’s deflected shot put Hibs ahead after just two minutes and they doubled their lead just three minutes later when Jamie-Lee Napier headed home Rachel McLauchlan’s cross at the back post.

Donald Jennow’s side were shell shocked and things went from bad to worse on 14 minutes when Harrison added to her tally with a clinical finish from close range.

Harrison limped off to be replaced by Lauren Davidson and the substitute made an immediate impact when a clinical counter from a Motherwell corner ended with the striker slotting the ball under the helpless Autumn Farrell.

The ‘Well goal continued to come under siege and Maxine Welsh was desperately unlucky to see her clearance from a low cross beat Farrell and find the net for 5-0.

A sixth Hibs goal followed before the break, Cailin Michie’s low drive from outside the area finding the bottom right corner.

Going into the half time break 6-0 down, Jennow was tasked with delivering one of the most difficult team talks of his managerial career.

Napier bagged her second of the afternoon five minutes after the restart and completed her hat-trick just after the hour mark when she tapped in after Farrell had denied McLauchlan.

Hayley Cunningham had a shot well saved and Suzanne Mulvey’s header was scrambled clear as Motherwell tried to find a consolation, but it was Hibs who continued to enjoy the better of the chances as the match drew to a close.

In the end it was a bitterly disappointing way for ‘Well to end the season, but they can take great pride in their record breaking league campaign and in the run to the final.

Motherwell will return to action in the new year, when preparations will begin for their first ever season in SWPL 1.

Picture: Lorraine Hill

Motherwell will bid to complete a historic league and cup double when they take on Hibernian in the final of the SSE Scottish Women’s Cup on Sunday.

The women of steel have enjoyed a quite remarkable season, racing to the SWPL 2 title, setting a record points tally along the way and they have carried their form into the Scottish Cup, scoring 20 goals in their four games in so far in the competition.

Donald Jennow’s side will go into the final as massive underdogs against a Hibs side aiming to clinch a Scottish and SWPL Cup double for the third successive season.

Kick off at Firhill is 4:10pm. Tickets are available on the gate priced £5 for adults, £2 for concessions and free entry for under 16s.

The Visitors

In Hibernian, Motherwell will be coming up against one of the very best sides in Scotland.

The Easter Road side have a wealth of quality throughout their side and have demonstrated those qualities with successes in both cup competitions over the last three years.

Despite their domination in the cups, Grant Scott’s side fell agonisingly short of ending Glasgow City’s stranglehold on the SWPL 1 title, missing out on the final day of the season.

Road to The Final

Motherwell

R2 – Cumbernauld Colts – 8-1

L16 – Aberdeen – 8-1

QF – St Johnstone – 1-0

SF – Spartans – 3-1

Hibernian

R2 – Thistle Weir – 7-0

L16 – Dundee United – 3-0

QF – EUHV – 11-0

SF – Glasgow City – 2-1

What They Said

Emma Black is under no illusions as to the size of the task facing Motherwell at Firhill and despite having won all there is to win in the Scottish women’s game, the defender insists sampling Scottish Cup success on the back of a superb league campaign would be amongst the best.

“Hibs have won all the domestic cups out with the league in the last few seasons, that show they have that winning mentality already in place,” she said. “They have a lot of quality and international players and we are under no illusions as to how difficult a game it will be.

“If you said to me when I signed in January that we’d have won the league having gone all the season unbeaten on the pitch and made the Scottish Cup final I’d have said there was no chance.”

‘Well gaffer Donald Jennow is determined to build on a fantastic season and is relishing the big occasion.

“I’ve spoken recently about the success of this season and the achievements of this squad but today I want to look forward,” he said. “The most successful teams always ask “what’s next?” For me today should whet the appetite for more success.

“I want more success for these players and for this club and so I want today to be the first step towards sustained success”

Don’t Miss Out

If you can’t make it along to Firhill, be sure to follow @MotherwellLFC on Twitter for team news, live updates, goal highlights and action shots from the match. The game will also be shown live on BBC Alba.