Motherwell FC News – Aug 1998
Motherwell FC News
August 1998
28.08.98
Ricky’s photos of the West Ham game are now available.
27.08.98
The entire South Stand will be available for Motherwell fans on Sunday. Dundee Utd supporters will be accomodated in a section of the Main Stand.
Brian McClair may miss Sunday’s game due to a back injury.
John Boyle’s takeover at Fir Park also marks the return of Bobby Jenks to the club in a bid to improve the youth policy and bring more young players through to the first team. Jenks was a scout and youth development officer at Motherwell for seven years before moving to Hearts just over six years ago.
The Sun reports that Pat Nevin will be banned from taking over as player/vice-chairman under SFA rules. Killie have already turned down a £50,000 bid for the 34-year-old former Scotland winger.
26.08.98
More than 500 fans are set to travel to Utrecht for the friendly on Saturday, October 10. The match was arranged as part of the deal when the Dutch club signed Mitchell Van der Gaag. Motherwell secretary Alan Dick revealed that three supporters coaches are already filled, but fans must contact the club first for a voucher which will be exchanged for a ticket on the day.
Pat Nevin says he will leave Kilmarnock to join Motherwell by the end of the week. The former Scotland international is wanted by new owner John Boyle for a combined boardroom and playing role.
25.08.98
John Boyle is planning to thank loyal fans by slashing season ticket prices for next term. Boyle wrote to season ticket holders last week to inform them of a fifteen percent discount on their new book. He also plans to introduce ladies’ days at Fir Park to attract more female fans and he will introduce more family packages.
Ricky’s photos to accompany his match reports of the friendlies against Nairn, Forres and Le Havre are (hopefully) now available.
Ricky and his fiancee, Caroline.
24.08.98
The Daily Record reports that the team are on £1000 a man to win their next two Premier League matches against Dundee United and Aberdeen. John Boyle offered the same bonus on Saturday but the squad failed to pick up the cash following the 0-0 draw with Dunfermline. Meanwhile, the club will again slash admission prices for the Dundee United game following the success of last weekend’s venture which saw almost 11,000 attend the Dunfermline match. Away supporters may be moved to the Davie Cooper stand to give ‘Well fans more room.
Reports suggest that Pat Nevin will sign for Motherwell this week as a player and director.
18.08.98
The takover has finally gone through! Full details are given in the following press release…
JOHN BOYLE BUYS MOTHERWELL FOOTBALL CLUB IN £2.5M DEAL
Scottish businessman John Boyle today (Tuesday, August 18, 1998) announced that he has bought a controlling interest in Motherwell Football Club having bought 51 % of shares from the Chapman family in a deal worth £2.5M. This brings Mr Boyle’s holding to 76% as he already owned 25% of the club.
Boyle becomes Chairman, while Jamie Chapman, son of ex-chairman John Chapman, will remain on the Board and continue to be a shareholder. Other positions within the club remain the same, with Alan Dick as General Manager, Harri Kampman as Coach and Brian McClair as Club Captain. The Club are delighted that Bill Dickie will remain on the Board, with a special brief to oversee external relations. His long experience with Motherwell and the SFA will prove invaluable to the new team.
John Boyle commented:
“As a lifelong supporter of Motherwell Football Club, I am delighted to become Chairman and look forward to the challenge of building on the achievements of the Club. Motherwell Football Club is deeply indebted to John Chapman who, 10 years ago, inherited a club in trouble, and with hard work and painstaking management, he has ensured Motherwell’s return to financial viability. Last year, Motherwell Football Club made a trading profit of £560,000, has no overdraft and has cash in the bank, and I intend to continue to pursue the strict financial disciplines inherited from Mr Chapman. This financial stability allows us to step things up a gear at Fir Park – both on and off the pitch. My objectives for the Club are simple. Over the next three to five years we want to be one of the principal challenging clubs in Scotland, hold a reasonable league position and rebuild both the team and the support. Motherwell Football Club has a huge catchment area compared to other clubs and I want to actively encourage those, particularly families, who haven’t been to a game for a while or have never been to see Motherwell play, to come to Fir Park. My intention is to run Motherwell Football Club as a strong business which is very much part of the local community.
Bill Dickie at Motherwell Football Club, said:
“John Boyle has the right credentials to take the Club to the next stage of development. His business acumen, coupled with his interest in football, will see the club prosper.”
To encourage “armchair supporters” of Motherwell Football Club to get out and show their support, the Club has embarked on a huge promotion for the next two home matches. For next Saturday’s match against Dunfermline, adults will be charged £5 and children under 16 £1. These prices also apply on Sunday 30 August, when the match between Motherwell and Dundee United will be transmitted nationally on Sky TV.
Commenting on the promotion John Boyle said:
“Motherwell Football Club will be on display across the UK on 30 August, and I want the Club to put its best foot forward. I would also encourage everyone to come on down to Fir Park and show their support to the nation.”
The Club is looking to adopt Bruce Springsteen’s song “My Home Town” as its anthem, and the new advertising campaign which rolls out on Wednesday continues the theme with the strapline “My Home Team”.
Yesterday’s Sun reported that the players were offered £5,000 a man by John Boyle to beat Rangers at the weekend.
11.08.98
Motherwell will play Ayr United at Fir Park in the 3rd Round of the League Cup next Tuesday (18th).
Eliphas Shivute will miss Saturday’s game at Ibrox as he will be on international duty with Namibia for their game against Malawi.
Brian McClair picked up a thigh strain and new signing Kai Nyssonen broke his nose during Saturday’s game against East Fife.
09.08.98
Motherwell have signed former Aston Villa defender Shaun Teale on a three month contract. The 34-year-old turned out as a trialist in the recent friendly against Le Havre. The club have also signed Finnish international striker Kai Nyyssonen on a one month contract. The 27-year-old was a victim of cost-cutting at Spanish First Division club CD Cordoba. Both new signings played in yesterday’s League Cup tie at East Fife.
The draw for the Third Round of the League Cup takes place at 11am tomorrow.
06.08.98
Ian Ross, Owen Coyle and Kevin Christie are all suspended for Saturday’s trip to East Fife due to bans carrying over from last season’s Coca-Cola Cup.
03.08.98
Motherwell have been allocated 1200 tickets for Saturday’s League Cup tie at East Fife. Tickets, price £12.00, go on sale to season ticket holders on Wednesday 12-5pm, then to non-season ticket holders on Thursday.
02.08.98
Motherwell completed the signing of Dutch defender Michael Doesburg on Friday, and the former AZ Alkmar player made his debut in the 1-0 win over St Johnstone at the weekend. A transfer fee of £50,000 was paid.
Motherwell will travel to face East Fife in the second round of the League Cup next Saturday.
Ricky’s report of Motherwell’s pre-season friendly against Forres is available here.
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