4.25pm

More on the Eric Black story.  Ricky informs me that it's been announced on the radio (not sure which station) that Black will definitely be leaving Fir Park...

The Official Site reports that James McFadden has been called up into the Scotland squad for the training sessions and the training match against Dundee United. The squad will assemble on the 29th of April and the match will be played on the 30th at Forthbank Stadium, Stirling.  Faddy is quoted as saying:
"I didn’t expect it and obviously I am delighted. I’ll just go along and give it everything I’ve got and see what happens. There are a lot of other young lads in that group and hopefully a few more from Motherwell will get a chance in the future as well."

12noon

I'm sure you'd agree with me that as a result of recent events, namely the fiasco over Celtic fans being accommodated in the Davie Cooper stand, it's probably fair to say that the relationship between the club and the supporters is at an all time low.  With this in mind, club officials agreed to hold a meeting with a group of fans earlier this week to discuss their concerns.  Here is a summary of the meeting:

A positive and constructive meeting was held at Fir Park on Tuesday between a group of supporters and senior officials at the club. The meeting was arranged to address concerns raised by the fans, to encourage better lines of communication and to explore ways of increasing the club's income.

The four fans made a joint approach to the club and represented the Supporters Association, FirParkCorner.com, OSB Fanzine, GLF Fanzine, the Unofficial MFC website and the Exiles Club. The club responded quickly and organised the meeting at the first opportunity.

The meeting began with an outline of the developments at Hampden earlier in the day. The intention to resign from the SPL has huge implications for the club and underlines the important role the fans can play in supporting the club. 

The fans outlined their concern that there was a feeling that the club was losing touch with its support and that the lack of consultation over the seating arrangements at the recent Celtic game was ill judged. It was accepted that forewarning of the possibility of any further such schemes would be given at the start of the season.

Methods of improving the communications between the club and fans were discussed. Among the issues raised were - season ticket holder's mail list, newsletters, the official web site and the possible formation of a supporters trust.

It was agreed that some sort of 'liaison group' would be useful.

Methods of encouraging season ticket sales were explored and the club are exploring a range of incentives to encourage sales. The changing financial circumstances forced on the club by the lack of 'TV money' next season makes it imperative that fans renew or buy season tickets for the long term benefit of the club. 

There will be another Open Day and a Dream Day (where 'Well fans can have the chance to play at Fir Park).

Present:
Alisdair Barron, Andrew Lapping, Pat Nevin, Eric Black
Keith Brown, Matt Johnstone, John Wilson, Brian Worton

8.20am

BLACK TO QUIT???

This morning's Sun is running an exclusive story claiming that Eric Black is set to quit Motherwell because he is fed up with the financial situation at Fir Park.  The 'Well boss is facing even further cost-cutting measures following the collapse of SPL TV, and is believed to be disillusioned by the lack of cash available for next season.  A "close friend" of Black is quoted as saying:
"Eric feels he is hitting his head against a brick wall. He might take a break from the game and get away from it all."

Meanwhile, it looks as though we won't be signing Benito Kemble.  The Dutch defender has been back training at Fir Park after being freed by St Johnstone, but said yesterday:
"I think everyone is waiting to see what will happen with the TV money, but I am no longer thinking about going back to Motherwell.  To be honest, I don't see the club signing too many players this summer because there is no TV deal.  I would like to stay in Scotland and hopefully something will come up, but I know there are going to be hard times for Scottish clubs."

In an earlier article, the 'Well manager said be believes that Scottish football's financial downturn still has a long way to go:
"I am not convinced it's hit a low yet - I think there could be a bit to go yet financially.  Stories from some clubs don't add up - there's got to be a massive correction. I'm not saying clubs could go to the wall, but you cannot spend £5 million if you only take in £3 million.  In football, there always seems to have been someone prepared to back it. Banks have backed the game because it was an institution, but I think that confidence has gone.

"There is no way clubs can think about competing with Rangers and Celtic with the money they've got, so why do it now? Why continue to bring in foreign players at amounts that are not going to be feasible?

"At Motherwell, I have used the French market because I know it quite well and I can assure you, for what we are paying the French lads, we would be struggling to get anywhere near that quality in Britain for the same outlay.  

"Scottish football will develop, but under what guise? There will still be a product and it's up to us to maximise that product.

"Perhaps we are being forced to focus on youth and that is probably one of the few positive aspects to emerge."

Yesterday's Motherwell Times reported that the following five players have been released: Ange Ouiefio, Stevie Nicholas, James Fallon, Scott Wilson and Martin Wood.

In yesterday's press, Terry Butcher admitted he was in two minds over the Old Firm leaving Scottish football:
"It is difficult for the other clubs with the Old Firm the way they are. The gap between Rangers and Celtic and the rest of the league is immense.  The Old Firm are getting stronger all the time and the rest are just trying to play catch-up.  If Rangers and Celtic leave the league then everybody will have a chance.  So, in some respects I would like them to leave but in others, with the affiliation I have with Rangers, it is good to play against them and meet old friends at the club.  But I think it is definitely for the future and if it does happen then Motherwell might have a chance of winning something.

"Everything in football is changing. I think we might have seen the time of the really big wage earners reach its peak."

Time for a new opinion poll, and it's another double-header (oo-er!)

Should Kevin Twaddle be given another chance in the first team?

and

Would you like to see the SPL kick-off next season WITHOUT the Old Firm?

Enter our new Prediction League  - cash prizes to be won!