Motherwell FC News – April 1998
Motherwell FC News
April 1998
29.04.98
St Johnstone have cut admission prices for Saturday’s game to £5.00 and £2.00 for all fans, and Motherwell have agreed to pay half the cost of coach travel for official supporters’ branches.
Brian Martin has criticised Harri Kampman’s tactics in today’s Daily Record. Martin believes that our new pressing game is partly responsible for us losing seven goals in our last two games.
28.04.98
Motherwell will reward John Philliben by making their pre-season friendly with West Ham his testimonial match. The game at Fir Park on July 25 will honour the popular defender who joined ‘Well from Doncaster Rovers 11 years ago.
27.04.98
The Sunday Mail reports that Tommy Coyne, Willie Falconer and Owen Coyle have received “hate mail” from fans following last week’s defeat at Parkhead. The two ex-Celtic players and Coyle, a former Republic of Ireland Internationalist, have apparantly been accused of trying to fix the title for Win Jansen’s side. Coyle has denied the claims, saying:
“We were on £1500 a man to beat Celtic and win the points that would have ended the uncertainty over Motherwell’s place in the Premier League. That’s an increase of three hundred percent on what we would normally get paid. Are there people who really believe we wouldn’t have been trying out of our skins?”
24.04.98
The Daily Record reports that Harri Kampman wants Jim Griffin to be his permament No 2. Griffin was made assistant manager on a short term deal two months ago, but Kampman has asked for the appointment to be made permanent. Kampman also wants ex-boss and current community officer Willie Mclean to join his first-team set-up.
Motherwell were represented at international level this week with Lee McCulloch playing the last 20 mins for Scotland Under 21s on Tuesday night and Simo Valakari playing for Finland against Scotland at Easter Road on Wednesday.
Harri Kampman is taking the team to Finland to prepare for next season. The squad will set up a training camp and play two games against top Finnish teams. A trip to Norway has also been arranged and the club have arranged one home friendly, against West Ham on Saturday July 25.
20.04.98
Owen Coyle was involved in a bust-up with Harri Kampman and Jim Griffin after being subbed during Saturday’s game at Parkhead. Coyle was warned to calm down by a policeman after the incident.
Motherwell transfer target Mark Reilly has turned down a new three-year contract with Kilmarnock.
17.04.98
Newspaper reports suggest that Tommy Coyne will quit Fir Park when his contract expires at the end of the season, with Kilmarnock and St Johnstone battling for his signature.
Kilmarnock midfielder Mark Reilly has denied reports that he is about to sign for Motherwell.
Motherwell have no injury problems for tomorrow’s game at Parkhead, and Willie Falconer is available again after suspension. Swedish striker Mats Lundgren was due to play for the reserves on Tuesday night after a slight ankle injury and could also come into the reckoning.
14.04.98
Eliphas Shivute will stay at Motherwell for the rest of the season. It was feared the Namibian striker would miss next week’s game against Celtic because his country wanted him for a COSAFA Cup tie, but Motherwell are not obliged to release him because the match is not an official FIFA competition.
Kevin Christie will be suspended for the final three matches of the season following his booking against Hearts last midweek.
Today’s Sun reports that Motherwell are looking to to bring former player Mark Reilly back to Fir Park on a free transfer from Kilmarnock. Midfielder Reilly is out of contract in the summer and Motherwell hope to take advantage of the new transfer rules. The Sun also reports that Motherwell are interested in Rangers’ striker Ally McCoist, who looks set to leave Ibrox at the end of the season.
09.04.98
New signing Mats Lungdren is expected to make his home debut on Saturday after recovering from a slight ankle injury.
Tickets for Motherwell fans for the match against Celtic at Parkhead on Saturday, April 18 go on sale at Fir Park today. Prices are £13 adults and £6 children.
Fir Park is set to host some European Under-16 Championship Finals ties. Group B matches involving Italy, Portugal and Norway take place in April, while the ground will also host one of the semi-finals on Tuesday, May 5.
08.04.98
Motherwell have no injury worries for tonight’s game against Hearts, and new signing Mats Lundgren is expected to make his debut at some point during the match. Tickets for the game will be on sale at Fir Park until 5pm this afternoon.
06.04.98
Motherwell defeated Partick Thistle 4-0 in Friday night’s friendly. Tommy Coyne, Kevin Christie, Shaun McSkimming and Owen Coyle got the goals.
Newspaper reports suggest that Eric Garcin will quit Motherwell when his contract expires at the end of the season. Hibs and Killie are rumoured to be interested.
03.04.98
The Hearts game next Wednesday will be all-ticket.
01.04.98
Swedish striker Mats Lundgren has signed on loan until the end of the season. The 28-year-old will make his debut in the friendly against Partick Thistle on Friday night.
Harri Kampman has failed in a £100,000 bid for Hearts defender Alan McManus. The 23-year-old had talks at Fir Park yesterday after both clubs agreed a deal, but he opted to stay at Tynecastle and fight for a first team place.
Former Motherwell groundsman Andy Russell has died at the age of 66. Andy, who looked after the Fir Park pitch for the best part of 40 years, had a series of illnesses after retiring two years ago. His funeral will be held at Glasgow’s Daldowie Crematorium tomorrow at 10am.
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