Motherwell FC News – August 1997
Motherwell FC News
August 1997
25.08.97
Motherwell will play Celtic at Parkhead in the Coca-Cola Cup Quarter Finals on Wednesday 10 September. Tickets go on sale at Fir Park next Tuesday (2nd September) at 9am. African striker Eliphus Schuvate is expected to make his ‘Well debut in the match after he returns from World Cup duty on September 3.
Today’s Sun reports that Morton have offered Billy Davies the chance to become player-coach at Cappielow. The article says that Davies is likely to accept the offer as he has recently been left out of the side, although Motherwell will still want a transfer fee.
Steve Woods was watched by two French second division sides at Pittodrie on Saturday, and as his present monthly contract runs out on Sunday night, either club would be able to sign him on a free transfer. Meanwhile Scott Howie will train with Sheffield Utd this week in a bid to secure a premanent move.
Motherwell are reported to be interested in Dunfermline’s Mark Millar, who is valued at around #100,000.
Dougie Arnott could be in line for a testimonial match later this season.
22.08.97
WE NEED YOU!!!
Click here for information on Ra Tournie, a tournament for Internet supporters taking place in Livingston in October.
Click here for a link to the FC Heracles Homepage to find out how Alex Burns is getting on in Holland.
21.08.97
Today’s Motherwell Times reports that Alex McLeish is close to signing a new contract with the club, and goalkeeper Steve Woods is also set to be offered a new deal after several impressive displays since taking over from Scott Howie.
Billy Davies is set to return to the side at Pittodrie on Saturday after missing last night’s game due to suspension, but the club are still waiting to receive clearance from the Department of Employment for Namibian international Eliphas Schivute. They hope to receive it early next week.
Alex Mcleish is reported to be looking for cover in the heart of his defence and he watched a couple of players down south earlier this week.
The draw for the next round of the Coca-Cola Cup will take place tomorrow evening. The tie is scheduled for Tuesday September 9.
20.08.97
Alex McLeish is set to recall defenders Brian Martin and Greig Denham for tonight’s match against Morton, while Tommy Coyne may play from the start.
18.08.97
Alex Burns has signed for Dutch Second Division side FC Heracles under freedom of contract. Burns is the third player to leave Fir Park under the Bosman ruling, depriving the club of around #1.5m in transfer fees. Meanwhile Alex McLeish is reported to be interested in St Mirren’s Stuart Taylor.
14.08.97
New signing Eliphas Shivute faces a wait of at least seven days for a work permit, which means he is likely to make his debut in the Aberdeen game a week on Saturday. Shivute, who has 30 international caps, has flown out to join the Namibian squad for their World Cup match against Tunisia on Sunday, then will return to Frankfurt where he will train until receiving the all clear to start his Motherwell career.
Brian Martin and Billy Davies will both serve a one match ban following their red-cards against Inverness Caley Thistle, but under a new SFA disciplinary system each will be banned for a different match. Martin will miss Saturday’s game against St. Johnstone while Davies will miss the Coca-Cola Cup tie against Morton next Wednesday.
Today’s Sun reports that Alex McLeish may be forced to turn out for the first team against St. Johnstone on Saturday. With Brian Martin and Kevin Christie suspended and Greig Denham injured, McLeish may make his first appearance since December 1995. The Sun also reports that Motherwell have failed in a bid for Hamilton defender Martin McIntosh.
12.08.97
Motherwell have beaten off competition from Dundee United and Hearts in the race to sign Eliphas Schivute. The Namibian striker has signed a two year contract with the club, and has headed off home while Alex McLeish attempts to get him a work permit.
Mitchell Van der Gaag has criticized the club in today’s papers, saying that Motherwell have no potential to go any further and that eveyone at the club was on a high just surviving in the Premier Division.
11.08.97
Alex McLeish is reported to be giving a trial to Austrian goalkeeper Georg Heu, who is available on a free transfer. Heu has spent the last few days training at Fir Park. Another possible target, former Rangers keeper Andy Dibble, has joined Sheffield United in a one-month deal.
Motherwell have been drawn at home to Greenock Morton in the Third Round of the Coca-Cola Cup.
07.08.97
Alex Mcleish has dropped his interest in French keeper Pegguay Arphexad while Englishman Wayne Russell, who played in Monday’s 4-1 reserve win over Dunfermline, has yet to agree a deal. McLeish himself is due to meet chairman John Chapman this week in order to sign a contract but he doesn’t forsee any problems.
Today’s Sun is claiming that Scott Howie has gone AWOL in a bid to clinch a move to Spain. He apparantly didn’t turn up for training after being left out of Saturday’s game at Dunfermline.
05.08.97
Motherwell reserves recorded a 4-1 win over Dunfermline reserves yesterday with Namibia trialist Eliphas Shivute scoring twice. The African is in Scotland trying to earn a contract. New Austrian striker Mario Doerner also got on the scoresheet, along with Billy Davies.
04.08.97
Alex McLeish was forced to play Steve Woods in goal at Dunfermline on Saturday after Scott Howie refused to sign a monthly contract, making him ineligible form selection. Alex Burns missed the match as he was on trial in Holland.
Frenchmen Frank Rolling and David Nouma, who were on trila at Fir Park, have been allowed to leave. Alex Mcleish has yet to make a decision on goalkeeper Pegguy Arphexad.
Shaun McSkimming’s leg injury will keep him out of action until September, while John Hendry will be out for a few weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury in the friendly against Aston Villa. Dougie Arnott is also recovering from a hamstring injury but may feature in the Coca-Cola Cup Tie against Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Fir Park on Saturday. Kevin Christie still has two games of a five-match ban to serve following his sending off against Dundee United in April.
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