Motherwell FC News – Apr 1999
Motherwell FC News
April 1999
29.04.99
Lee McCulloch must sit out Saturday’s game at Kilmarnock after failing to comply with a suspension. The 22-year-old was banned when he turned out for ‘Well against Rangers on March 13. Motherwell have also been fined £5,250 for the offence, which has been put down to an administrative error.
28.04.99
Kevin Christie has signed for Falkirk, and admitted he is glad to be out of Fir Park. Speaking in today’s Sun, Kevin said:
“There will be someone with a smile on their face at seeing me leave Motherwell – they have finally got their wish. They have opened the door and tried to push me out for a long time, and have finally got me out. There is so much unrest going on behind the scenes that I am glad to be shot of the place. Certain people have tried to make my life hell at the club and it is not just Billy Davies. Since the new owner came in I have been shunted about, ignored and made unwelcome. It has not been a happy club to be at since Alex McLeish left and there is a fair bit of backstabbing going on behind the scenes. I have gone through exactly what Owen Coyle did and I can understand why he wanted to leave.”
27.04.99
Shaun Teale is out for the rest of the season after suffering a depressed cheekbone, broken jaw and damage around his eye in an aerial challange with Hearts youngster Scott Severin on Saturday. Teale, who had a metal plate inserted in his face in an operation last night, won’t play again for over two months. The 35-year-old described the injury as the worst he’s ever suffered in his career.
Newspaper reports suggest that Tottenham Hotspur are interested in making Motherwell their nursery club. Preliminary talks have apparently already taken place. The idea is the brainchild of Spurs’ director of football David Pleat, a close friend of Billy Davies. Under the deal, Tottenham would send fringe players and promising youngsters to Motherwell on loan, and would get first offer on signing any highly-rated players unearthed by ‘Well, such as Steve McMillan. A similar arrangement already exists in England bewteen Liverpool and Crewe.
Ricky’s report of the Hearts game is now available.
25.04.99
Shaun Teale was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured cheekbone following a clash during yesterday’s debacle with Hearts.
24.04.99
Andy Goram has agreed a two-year contract with Motherwell which will earn him £6000 a week. The Goalie had been stalling on the offer for the past month as he wanted the bulk of the money paid up front. However, a compromise has been reached and Goram is now the joint highest earner at Fir Park along with John Spencer.
22.04.99
Newspaper reports suggest that Andy Goram is stalling on a £5,000 a week pay offer from Motherwell because the club won’t pay the bulk of his signing-on fee up front. Goram wants the money so he can invest in a new home, but Motherwell are reluctant to give him too much straight away although they are happy to pay him close to £250,000 a season in wages.
Michael Doesburg and Stephen Craigan, who were both injured in last week’s clash with Celtic, are doubtful for Saturday’s home game with Hearts.
Lee McCulloch has been called up to the Scotland Under-21 squad for their friendly in Germany next week.
21.04.99
Today’s Daily Record reports that Andy Goram is set to sign a two-year deal to stay at Fir Park. Billy Davies hopes The Goalie will agree terms by the end of the week. However, according to Scotland Today, an unnamed English Premiership club are interested in Goram and are monitoring the situation.
20.04.99
The SPL have announced that the final league fixtures of the season will now kick-off at 12.30pm on Sunday, May 23. The original plan to start games at 6.05pm on the Sunday, which proved unpopular with supporters, has now been scrapped.
Simo Valakari will miss the Kilmarnock game on May 1 after a booking against Celtic took him through the suspension threshold.
Greig Denham is aiming to be fit for the start of next season. The 22-year-old has missed the entire 1998/99 campaign after rupturing his cruciate ligament in a reserve match back in September.
19.04.99
Lee McCulloch missed out on the Young Player of the Year award last night. The title instead went to Rangers’ midfielder Barry Ferguson.
John Spencer and Andy Goram have both been left out of the Scotland squad for next month’s friendly in Germany.
Ricky’s report of the Celtic game is now available.
15.04.99
All SPL fixtures scheduled for the final day of the season will now kick-off at 6.05pm on Sunday, May 23 thanks to Sky TV. This means that the Electric Bar boys’ eagerly anticipated lager-bevvy-lager beano to Fife will now have to be curtailed somewhat. Our ace match reporter, Ricky Mullen, is urging all fans to complain about the ridiculous kick-off time, so should you wish to voice your displeasure then the SPL’s telephone number is 0141 641 6962. You know it makes sense.
Motherwell be without Tony Thomas at Parkhead on Saturday following his sending-off last week against Dundee.
John Spencer is almost certain to return to the Scotland squad for the friendly against Germany on April 27.
13.04.99
Ricky’s report of the Dundee game is now available.
11.04.99
Newspaper reports are linking Motherwell with 19-year-old Partick Thistle striker Robert Dunn.
Alas, the two Inter Motherwell teams didn’t fare particularly well in this afternoon’s Motherwell Supporter’s Association 5-aside tournament (so-called despite the fact that a large number of competing players didn’t actually appear to be ‘Well fans). Both sides, imaginatively titled Inter Motherwell A and Inter Motherwell B by the “Gaffer”, were sadly eliminated in the first round. However, Inter Motherwell A did at least have the consolation of winning their final match 3-2, and therefore avoiding the humiliation suffered by Inter Motherwell B when they lost every game they played. If anyone is interested, the two teams were as follows…
A – Ricky “Gaffer” Mullen, Graham Barnstaple, Derek Wilson, Alan Stewart, Darren Gilry, Graeme Morrison and James Reid (me!)
B – Keith Peppiatt, Andy Stewart, Ally Milne, Frankie Stannage, Richard Murciano, Graham Williamson and Graeme Anderson.
07.04.99
A 5-aside tournament for ‘Well fans will take place this Sunday (11 April) at the Pitz in Hamilton. The legendary Joe Wark will be presenting the prizes, and Dougie Arnott will also be making an appearance. For more details, contact David Tonner on (01698) 282828.
Ricky’s report of the Dundee United game is now available.
06.04.99
Lee McCulloch has been nominated for the Young Player of the Year award. Others in contention are Mark Burchill, Barry Ferguson and David Graham.
Reports suggest that Ged Brannan has produced the necessary documentation to prove his eligibility for the Scotland national team. It appears that both he and John Spencer are likely to be called up to the squad for the friendly against Germany later this month.
04.04.99
Lee McCulloch and Michael Doesburg both missed yesterday’s win at Tannadice through suspension.
01.04.99
Stevie McMillan has signed a new three-year contract worth around £100,000 a season.
At long last, the photo of Tommy Coyne receiving his Player of the Year award (as voted by Internet ‘Well fans) is available. The presentation was made prior to Motherwell’s game at Dens Park in September.
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