| 2 | Rangers | 16 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 19 | 35 |
| 3 | Aberdeen | 17 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 34 |
| 4 | Motherwell | 17 | 8 | 2 | 7 | -4 | 26 |
| 5 | Dundee United | 17 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 25 |
| 6 | St Mirren | 18 | 7 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 24 |
We are holding open trials for our new Under 15 girls academy squad on Sunday 25 July 2021.
We are looking for players born in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. All players must be free agents.
Trials will begin on the Fir Park astro at 1.30pm and will last until 3.30pm with registration taking place at 1.15pm.
If you wish to take part and have the chance to be a part of our academy, please complete the online registration process.
Motherwell will open the 2021/22 SWPL1 season on 5 September 2021 with an away game to reigning champions Glasgow City.
Our first home game will then follow on 12 September against Hibernian, before facing Champions League participants Celtic at home on 19 September.
The women of steel’s final game will be at home against newly-promoted Aberdeen on 15 May 2022.
Kick off times will be announced shortly.
All dates are subject to change.
Gill Inglis will again be the captain of Motherwell in the 2021/22 season.
The experienced midfielder helped guide the side to a sixth-place finish last campaign and her leadership on the pitch will be required again to push the club further up the SWPL1 table.
Joining Motherwell in 2019 from Rangers, Inglis has spent more than a decade in the top flight of Scottish women’s football.
A role model for any player, Inglis has been trusted with the armband once again this season.
“I’m thrilled to have Gill as captain this season,” head coach Paul Brownlie said.
“She has displayed real leadership qualities since I joined Motherwell and she has been at the forefront in building a connection between the players and the new coaching staff since they arrived.
“I’m very excited to see what she can offer throughout the season and look forward to working closely with her for the upcoming campaign.”
Motherwell have signed former Hamilton captain Amy Anderson.
The midfielder joins after a five-year stint with the club, where she made over 100 appearances.
“I’m delighted to be a Motherwell player,” said Anderson. “Being a Motherwell supporter makes being here even more special for me.
“I believe the club is heading in the right direction and I can’t wait to be part of it.
“I’m looking forward to working under Paul and seeing what this team are capable of achieving.”
The midfielder joins up with head coach Paul Brownlie and the rest of the squad for the upcoming campaign.
“Amy is another massive signing to add to our squad for the campaign,” Brownlie said.
“To get Amy here is yet another real statement. She will add real quality and real energy to this team.
“Amy is a passionate Motherwell supporter, and she knows the club really well having spent time within the academy.
“She has since developed her game away from the club. The coaching staff and I now have the responsibility to take Amy’s game to the next level.”
Kaela McDonald-Nguah and Lori Gardner will be staying for another season with Motherwell.
The pair have signed one-year extensions with the club.
Staying on for her second full season at Motherwell, McDonald-Nguah will be looking to add to her goal tally further for the women of steel.
“I’m extremely happy to have re-signed for the upcoming season,” Kaela said.
“The future looks incredibly bright at the club. With Paul coming in, a coach who I have worked with since the age of nine.
“I know his standards are high and he will really drive the women’s team and academy programme forward.
“Adding the experience of Leanne Crichton highlights the direction we aim to go in.”
Forward Lori Gardner will be staying for her third season at Motherwell after impressing last season.
Signed from Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton in 2019, Gardner has proven she can be pivotal in matches.
“I’m thrilled to sign with Motherwell for another year,” Lori added.
“I’m really looking forward to working with Paul and the rest of the coaching staff this year.
“The past few weeks have been brilliant and I can’t wait for the season to start.”
Three more of our squad have committed for the 2021/22 SWPL1 season.
Abby Callaghan, Chelsie Watson and Lauren Doran-Barr will wear claret and amber again in the new campaign.
After having a successful season last year, Abby Callaghan has earned her place in the side for the new season.
Staying for her third term in claret and amber, the midfielder will look to help her team push up the table this season.
“I’m delighted to be signing on for another year at Motherwell,” she said.
“I’ve worked with Paul previously and know what he’s capable of achieving within the club. I can’t wait to get started.”
Chelsie Watson has also committed to Motherwell for another season.
The towering centre half was one of the first names on the teamsheet last time out and is looking to push on this year.
“I’m looking forward to another season at Motherwell,” Chelsie said.
“The first few weeks with Paul and his new coaching staff have been fantastic as they have really freshened things up. They will bring a lot of experience and new ideas to the squad this year.
“Individually and collectively we have been working really hard and are fully focused on the new season.”
Injured for most of last season, Lauren Doran-Barr has almost completed her recovery from injury and is ready to play a big part for Motherwell this season.
The former Rangers full-back has decided to stay for another season.
“It’s an exciting time to be a Motherwell player so I’m delighted to resign for the upcoming season,” Doran-Barr added.
“I’m looking forward to getting back from injury and continuing my development under the new coaching staff.”
We are holding open trials for our new girl’s academy Under 19 squad on Sunday 18 July 2021.
We are looking for players born in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
All players must be free agents.
Trials will begin at 1.30pm and will last until 3.30pm, with registration taking place at 1.15pm.
If you wish to take part and have the chance to be a part of our academy, please complete the online registration process hereplease complete the online registration process here.
Motherwell have completed the signing of winger Nicole Cairney.
Returning for her second spell at the club, Cairney left the Steelmen for Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton in January 2020.
After helping Hamilton secure promotion to the top flight in the last campaign, the forward has rejoined the women of steel.
“Nicole will bring experience, good quality on the wing and can play across the three on the front,” head coach Paul Brownlie said.
“I’ve worked with Nicole for several years so I know what she can bring to this team.”
Paul Brownlie has finalised his backroom staff for the SWPL1 season.
The head coach has brought in Leanne Crichton as his number two, Forfar midfielder Craig Slater as first team coach and Conor O’Boyle as a goalkeeping coach.
“I am delighted to finalise my staff group with Leanne, Craig and Conor,” Brownlie said. “I believe I have real quality coaches and people.
“One thing that’s been clear from day one is we are pulling in the same direction. We all have similar thoughts on the game and the direction we want to take Motherwell this season and beyond.”
Coming in as a player/assistant manager, Leanne Crichton is one of the most recognised names within Scottish women’s football.
Having amassed more than 70 caps for her country, multiple league titles with Glasgow City and played in the Champions League, Crichton brings a wealth of experience to the Motherwell dressing room.
“Leanne was someone I was desperate to get in as assistant manager,” Brownlie added. “She is a vastly experienced player both domestically and internationally, and she knows the standards required.
“Leanne has been a serial winner throughout her career. She understands the demands of the modern game, and how professional athletes should act both on and off the pitch.”
Former Partick Thistle, Colchester and Kilmarnock player Craig Slater comes in as a first team coach.
“Craig is someone I’ve known for several years and brings vast experience having played at all levels of the game, here in Scotland, England, and international level with the under 21s national team squad,” Brownlie said.
“He’s a fabulous addition to our coaching staff and I believe the players will benefit from his knowledge and guidance.”
Featuring for Scotland under 21s and still playing for League One outfit Forfar Athletic still today, Slater has played over 150 games domestically.
The midfielder came through the ranks at Kilmarnock before earning a move down south to Colchester United. He then had a brief loan spell with Dundee United, before permanently coming back to Scotland with Partick Thistle.
In 2020 he joined Queen’s Park and then moved onto his current club Forfar in May of this year.
Coming in as the new goalkeeping coach, former Queen’s Park keeper Conor O’Boyle will be looking after the goalkeepers this season to complete the backroom staff.
Coming through the youth setup at Hibernian, O’Boyle has turned out for Stenhousemuir, Queen’s Park and St Roch’s, before hanging up his gloves in 2017.
“I’ve worked closely with Conor before and I know how knowledgeable he is on the pitch, and the level of experience he’ll bring to our staff group,” Brownlie said.
“It is clear to see the rapport he’s building with the goalkeepers during our pre-season preparation, he is a fantastic addition to a strong staff group.”
Motherwell have completed their fifth signing this summer, securing Olivia Potter from Celtic on a season-long loan deal.
The 16-year-old midfielder will join up with Paul Brownlie and his squad for the 2021/22 SWPL1 season.
“With Olivia, we are adding a dynamic midfield player,” the head coach said.
“She will bring quality to the squad even though she is still young for the game.”
