Motherwell are probably not the most known football club in Britain, but few can beat their record of consecutive seasons in the top flight, only Celtic in Scotland, are in front, if you count English teams, there are not many either probably just Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Man Utd and Everton if have counted correctly.
They are a household name in the top flight of Scottish football being up there since 1985, and of course long traditions before that as a top level club. Their start to the season are just an impressive one, winning 3-0 at home v. Hibs in that last game before the international break.
They are not a bunch of stars either but every season being able to find players and nurse forward talent that in a way manage to keep the club floating and not only that, competing for the top trophies.
They reached both finals in the cup competitions in 2017/18, meeting Celtic in both and getting defeated 2-0 twice. But all in all a great achievement. They ended 8th last season, which probably wasn’t as good as they would have hoped for, but to stay up must at least be something to celebrate with a new and great start so far in this campaign.
The club was formed as far back as 1886, and Motherwell FC have since 1896 played their home games at Fir Park, a stadium with a capacity around 13,000. The club have won six major trophies, with their only league title won as far back as 1931-32. Their last big triump came in 1991, when they won the Scottish Cup.
They ended runners-up in the league back in 2013-14 and has seen their name at third place in 2007-08 and 2011-12, as recent results to celebrate. They have competed in Europe 10 times, firstly in 1991-92 and the last time back in 2014-15.
Stephen Robinson is the current manager, being in charge since February 2017, first in caretaker charge and then from March that same year taking on the role in a permanent capacity. A number of well known names in Scottish football has prevously done their duty at Fir Park, with the likes of Mark McGhee (twice), Maurice Malpas, Terry Butcher and Alex McLeish all among those who have seen their name on the manager chair at this football club.
Looking back, a number of great players have represented Motherwell. Willie Pettigrew and Gary McAllister coming to mind. Both players started their professional career at Fir Park. Pettigrew in the 70’s and McAllister in the 80’s.
Both players represented Scotland, with Pettigrew getting his caps as a Motherwell player, McAllister had to wait for his bow later in his career when playing in England. Pettigrew scored an impressive 80 goals in 146 games for The Well, and then moved to Dundee United for a record fee of £100.000.
Gary McAllister as we all know had a glorious career in English football, playing for Leicester City, Leeds United, Coventry City and Liverpool. He won the League with Leeds United, as they surprisingly managed to win that trophy in the 1992-93 season.
Liam Donnelly (23) is a prospect to follow, with four goals in four games for Motherwell this season the tall Northern Ireland international, operating in the midfield area, could be a new star at Fir Park. The former Fulham trainee, joined Motherwell from Hartlepool back in 2018. Former Everton recruit Chris Long is one exciting prospect. A number of experienced players from the lower leagues in England have also done well, naming Peter Hartley and Charles Dunne who recently joined the club.
The former Carlisle United goalkeeper Mark Gillespie is first choice and his presence is there to see. The 1.92m shotstopper is one to watch. The rest of the squad of today is mostly British, with Dane Casper Sloth, Croat Christian Ilic, Dutch Shervin Seedorf and French forward Christy Manzinga adding up the foreign colony of players currently at Fir Park.
So what will the future bring for Motherwell FC, hopefully their traditional kit, claret and amber, will be seen in the next 30 years among the top teams as they have since the mid 80’s. The club that is 100% supporter owned and makes an example of what football is all about and hopefully this will continue as the have started the season in a good way, staying fifth with seven points after their first games.
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