Motherwell FC News – April 1997
Motherwell FC News
April 1997
30.04.97
Newspaper reports suggest that Motherwell are running the rule over Oldham’s young Scottish star Lee Randell. The full-back has gone to Fir Park on trial and played for the reserves in the 3-3 draw with Celtic reserves on Monday.
28.04.97
A report in this morning’s Sun claims that Alex McLeish is lining up a 75,000 pound move for Icelandic international goalkeeper Olafur Gottskalksson. The 29 year old Keflavic star has arrived at Fir Park for talks and could play in tonight’s reserve match against Celtic. McLeish may need to sign at least one ‘keeper in the summer as BOTH Scott Howie and Steve Woods will be out of contract.
24.04.97
Willie Falconer could be out for the rest of the season after suffering a face knock on Saturday. Shaun McSkimming is back in training and will take part in a reserve match tonight against Dundee United at Fir Park.
Tickets for the Rangers game on Monday 5 May go on sale at Fir Park today for Motherwell fans only, price 13 pounds. There will be a maximum of two tickets per person. In an attempt to stop Rangers fans infiltrating the Motherwell section, supporters will have to prove they are a season ticket holder or provide their name and address before they can purchase a ticket.
If Motherwell are involved in the play-offs, all season tickets would be valid for the home tie on Saturday 17 May (not Sunday 18 May as I stated earlier – the Scottish Junior Cup Final is taking place at Fir Park that day).
Fir Park is the venue for Saturday’s 2nd Division match between promoted sides Hamilton and Ayr.
17.04.97
Billy Davies is suspended for the final three games of the season and Alex Burns still has one more match of a suspension to serve, but Lee McCulloch will return to the squad on Saturday following his ban.
10.04.97
Alan Stewart has set up a Motherwell mailing list for fans to discuss their gripes and opinions about the club or football in general. Click here for information on how to subscribe.
The dates for the Premier/First Division play-offs have been confirmed as Sunday 18 May with the Premier League side at home, and Thursday 22 May with the 1st Division side at home.
For Saturday’s vital game against Raith Rovers, Motherwell will be without injured pair Shaun McSkimming and Eddie May and the suspended Lee McCulloch and Alex Burns, while Brian Martin returns after his one-match ban.
09.04.97
In this morning’s papers, Alex Mcleish has blasted the critics who have written off Motherwell’s survival chances. Motherwell are second-bottom of the league, five-points adrift of third-bottom Hibs, but McLeish says:
There are a lot of points to play for and if anyone thinks we have given up they are wrong. Some people are saying there is no chance of us improving our position and we are definitely in the relegation play-off. That is disrespectful and embarassing to my players and myself. The play-off has preyed on our minds, but that doesn’t mean to say everything is lost.
One of McLeish’s former signings, Andy Roddie, was named as man of the match in his debut for Swedish side Ljungskile at the weekend.
07.04.97
11.25am
Just in from Ricky :
I am sure the play-offs take place on Sunday, 18th May and Thursday, 22nd May, with the Premier League team at home firstly. I called the SFL last week and they told me these would be the dates, and they do fit in with the past two years as the first leg has been on a Sunday, the second on the Thursday.
10.50am
Just in from Sylvia Irving :
I believe that the dates for the play-offs are:Saturday 17th May - Premier League team at homeThursday 22nd May - First Division side at home
10am
Heard on the radio this morning that Motherwell and Airdrie have already held talks on possible dates and venues for the Premier/First Division play-offs.
01.04.97
Motherwell have turned down a bid from Dundee for midfielder Billy Davies.