Rumours Page

If you have a juicy piece of MFC related gossip, then please mail it to me and I'll post it to this page.

Please note, I take NO responsibility whatsoever for the accuracy of any rumours on this page!

 

 

 

Rumour:

 We are interested in Sean O'Connor (QoS), Craig Easton (Dundee Utd), Gareth Williams (Notts Forrest), Lee Bullen and Derek Stillie (Dunfermline), Simon Mensing (Clyde) and Willie McLaren (Airdrie). (26/05/04)

Source:

Shaka

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 The remaining friendlies are closed-door against Ross County, then away to Cowdenbeath and Stirling Albion. Everton will come to Fir Park if they can fit in into their pre-season schedule, and James McFadden apparently wants to play 45 mins for Motherwell! (24/05/04)

Source:

Anon, who heard it at the POY Dance on Saturday night.

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 Andy Kirk and Scott Severin are Adam's and Craig's replacements, and if Lasley leaves Craig Easton may replace him. (23/05/04)

Source:

Ian Boslem, who heard it from an agent's neighbour.

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 Keith Lasley will definitely be a Plymouth Argyle player next season. A three year contract has been tabled and is financially much more beneficial than what Motherwell and Aberdeen have offered. (21/05/04)

Source:

Anon

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 Stevie Hammell was spotted at Tynecastle last week. (17/05/04)

Source:

A colleague of Rory McEwan.

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 Motherwell are interested in signing Fabian Caballero.  The ex-Dundee player was spotted in the town centre last Saturday. (13/05/04)

Source:

Craig

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 TB is apparently intrerested in Partick Thistle's Adrian Madaschi, who is looking to remain in the SPL. Dundee are also reportedly keeping tabs on the player.

Source:

Rickoza

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 Motherwell to play Yeovil Town in a pre-season friendly this summer.

Source:

Anon

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 Fir Park will be sold to a Stadium Management company who will then lease it back to the club. Although FP is situated on prime real estate land, its real value wont come into effect until Motherwell College is also sold for housing. Part of the deal will include Motherwell moving to a new purpose build at the Ravenscraig site, where the new College will also be situated. A groundshare may not be out of the question but its more likely that Well will be sharing with the University Of Lanarkshire, of which the College will be a part  

Source:

Someone within Motherwell College (NOT Rickoza!)

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 Dunfermline's Lee Bullen is expected to sign for us early next week. (24.01.04)

Source:

Rickoza again.  Apparently it was also mentioned on Radio Scotland today.

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 All players that were involved in the fight after the Hibs game will be given a severe talking to by TB and fined two weeks' wages. (24.01.04)

Source:

Zoomermouthbable, who heard it from a guy who works for the club

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 Partick Thistle goalkeeper Kenny Arthur has signed a pre-contract with Motherwell and has been told not to even report for training at Firhill any more. (24.01.04)

Source:

Rickoza

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 Following on from the previous rumour:

"The rumours of the fight after the Hibs match are true. Derek Adams got stuck into Hammell and Pearson for not trying a leg because they were angling for big money moves. He then rounded on Martyn Corrigan, who he blamed for the Hibs goal it was at this point that Corrigan decked him. Seemingly other players were involved in having a go at Pearson and Hammell as well." (22.01.04)

Source:

Another "Anon" I'm afraid.

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 "Apparently after the Hibs game, Derek Adams had been mouthing off about his team mates not putting enough effort in. This was after having an inept match himself. Martyn Corrigan decked him. He was out cold. Scott Leitch patched things up on the following day by getting both players together." (21.01.04)

Source:

.Anon

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 Motherwell are interested in signing nacho Novo from Dundee. (17.01.04)

Source:

.Zoomermouthbable

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 Terry Butcher is interested in signing Raith Rovers' striker John Sutton (brother of Celtic's Chris). (10/01/04)

Source:

.Anon

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 One of the new signings arriving in January is former Dundee player Juan Sara. (11.12.03)

Source:

Colin McQueen, who says he heard it from a Fir Park member of staff.

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

 

Rumour:

 When Billy Davies was back in town recently, he made an informal approach for Stephen Pearson on behalf of Preston North End, believed to be around £750,000. (09.12.03)

Source:

Rickoza, who heard it from "someone quite reliable in the past"

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 Motherwell are interested in young Queen of the South midfielder Colin McQueen, who is supposedly "the new McFadden" (04.12.03)

Source:

Stephen Durnion, who heard it from a Fir Park staff member.

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 TB has indicated an interest in bringing Fabian Caballero to Fir Park, and is keen to sign one other un-named player (26.11.03)

Source:

Rickoza, who heard it from a friend who knows a reporter.

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy and several English scouts were at the game tonight, however they seemed more impressed by David Clarkson than Stephen Pearson.  Also, James McFadden and David Moyes were in the Main Stand and Faddy was supposed to be the "surprise guest" at half time, but he declined to make an appearance on the pitch. (25.11.03)

Source:

My spy in the Main Stand.

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:
  1. Dirk Lehmann left Motherwell because Terry Butcher disliked the "porn star" rumours.  Apparently Dirk slept with 3 female Fir Park members of staff, although in his time at Hibs he had no fewer than FIVE conquests!
  2. James McFadden was told by Berti Vogts he'd play for Scotland more often if he left Motherwell and joined a Premiership team.  Celtic were never interested in him.  (11/11/03)
 

Source:

Alexander Hurry, who says he is a freelance journalist and speaks regularly to players and managers.

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 The reason the Official Website was down for a week or so recently is because the club hadn't paid the hosting company's bill. (23/08/03)

Source:

Someone I spoke to at the game today.

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 James McFadden will be unveiled as a Celtic player on Thursday. He has already signed a deal but will be unveiled with two other new players. (05/08/03)

Source:

Paul Brown, who says he is friends with the Celtic chairman.

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 James McFadden will sign for Celtic on Monday. (02/08/03)

Source:

My mate at Fir Park who heard it from a member of the Vice Presidents club.

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 Stephen Pearson is going to Leicester City for £750,000 (16/06/03)

Source:

Stephen Lockhart, who heard it from Pearo's former football coach at high school.

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 John Boyle is about to appoint a new chairman - one of his 'pals', who has recently gone bankrupt. (13/06/03)

Source:

Someone with excellent contacts within the club

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

 

Rumour:

 The Untouchables will probably not be our shirt sponsor next year.  The deal was for one year with an option on a second, but the firm are unlikely to take this up due to a downturn in business that has already led to redundancies. (10/06/03)

Source:

Anon

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

 

Rumour:

 Tom Boyd was offered a contract by Motherwell, but turned it down as he feels he is not fit enough to play in the SPL and will shortly announce his retirement from the playing side of football. (07/06/03)

Source:

Jcalligraphy@aol.com

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 Dubordeau's offer of a new contract was NOT withdrawn as reported in the press.  He was offered a new deal at the same time as Steven Craig and David Cowan, but turned it down as he wanted more money and the club were unwilling to negotiate.  Also, he went out on the razzle while supposedly injured and therefore was relegated to the bench for the Celtic game despite being fully fit. (04/06/03)

Source:

Neil, who heard it from a Premier League goalkeeper.

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 This time next year, when all of our so-called "big earners" are out of contract (e.g. Leitch, Adams), the pay structure at Fir Park will be radically restructured with a probable basic wage of around £500 a week.  There will of course be bonuses on top of that figure. (04/06/03)

Source:

Our No 1 Source again

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:
  1. Alex Burns will sign on Wednesday (now a two-year deal after the administrator refused to sanction a three-year contract)
  2. Gordon Marshall to sign a one-year deal sometime soon
  3. Tom Boyd to return in a player/coaching capacity (02.06.03)

Source:

Our No 1 Source again (never been wrong yet!)

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 Preston have offered £2.5m for McFadden, Pearson and Hammell.  Also, Rangers have bid £390,000 for Hammell.

Source:

Rickoza

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 The club have put a £3million price tag on McFadden's head - £1m straight-up and £2m after appearances/caps etc and a sell-on clause, otherwise he isn't going anywhere. (26/05/03)

Source:

Someone whose workmate heard it from a drunk John Boyle.

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 Alex Burns is very likely to sign for us shortly.  Apparently we've offered him a 3-year deal whereas Livingston have only offered him 2 years. (24/05/03)

Source:

Our No 1 Source again

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 McFadden will be sold in the summer to clear the portion of the club's debt that is NOT owed to John Boyle.  After this, JB's WIFE will buy the club for £1 with Boyle himself resuming control in all but name (there is a legal restriction preventing JB buying back the club himself). (24/05/03)

Source:

Someone who heard it from a Fir Park employee.

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 Ged Brannan was spotted in Motherwell today?  Could he be set to re-sign? (22/05/03)

Source:

Jim Allan

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

 Following on from the previous rumour, the other SPL clubs were annoyed at JB moaning in the press about how much money he has lost when it was his mis-management that was responsible for bankrupting the club. Motherwell was self financing when he bought it and had £500k in the bank, something that the other clubs admired. (22/05/03)

Source:

Another anon I'm afraid...

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

The SPL clubs in the east of Scotland will back Falkirk in Friday's vote for two reasons:

  1. They think The Bairns will bring a  large away support and hence increase the gate
  2. They are cheesed off by Mr Boyle who appears at away games without the formalities of a tie (expected in the boardroom) and moans about how much money he has lost (20/05/03)

Source:

Anon

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

If the club are relegated, there will be a round of redundancies among the non-playing staff at Fir Park.  (18/05/03)

Source:

Someone whose job could be affected.

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

Faddy will DEFINITELY be on his way in the summer.  During the January transfer window we received 4 bids of £1.5m for him, and although each was turned down the interested clubs were told that negotiations would take place for his signature in June.  Faddy himself want to leave as he doesn't fancy another relegation battle next season, assuming we stay up. (14/05/03)

Source:

Someone whose mate was drinking with Faddy at the Palace last month.

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

Dirk Lehmann will NOT be offered a new contract. (13/05/03)

Source:

"an extremely reliable source"

Plausibility Rating 
(out of five):

Rumour:

No matter what division we are in next season, the pitch is being ripped up and leveled, although undersoil hea