Motherwell FC News – Dec 1998
Motherwell FC News
December 1998
31.12.98
Lee McCulloch has signed a new three-and-a-half year contract, which means he will remain at Fir Park until 2002.
Steve McMillan is facing a TWO MONTH League ban following his sending off against Aberdeen on Tuesday. He automatically misses tomorrow’s game against Killie, but could land a further three-match ban if referee John Underhill reports him for serious foul play or violent conduct. This means that McMillan would miss the games against Hearts, Dundee and Celtic after the winter shutdown and wouldn’t be available until the Dunfermline match on February 27, although he would be eligible for the third round of the Scottish Cup on January 23.
The Motherwell Times reports that the team are heading to Tenerife for the winter shutdown.
Billy Davies has dismissed speculation linking the club with Inter Milan goalkeeper Raffaele Nuzzo as “a load of nonsense.”
27.12.98
Today’s Sunday Mail reports that we interested in Inter Milan goalkeeper Raffaele Nuzzo. Billy Davies hopes that the 25-year-old Italian will arrive at Fir Park within the next 10 days for a trial.
26.12.98
All season ticket holders have been invited to bring a guest free of charge to the Kilmarnock game on New Year’s Day (voucher no. 7 is required). Kick off is at 3pm.
24.12.98
Ricky’s report of the St Johnstone game is now available.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all ‘Well Fans!!!
21.12.98
Ricky’s report of the Dundee game is now available.
18.12.98
Brian McClair has become Blackburn’s new assistant manager after the English club climed down and agreed to pay Motherwell an “undisclosed” fee. As part of the deal, Blackburn have agreed to come north to play a friendly at a date to be arranged.
17.12.98
Steve Woods returned to training this week, leaving Greig Denham as the only long-term absentee.
Discussions are still ongoing over the permanent signing of John Spencer from Everton. His current loan deal runs out on the 21st of next month, but is likely to be extended for a further three months.
Jim Griffin has dismissed speculation linking Motherwell with former Kilmarnock goalkeeper Dragoje Lekovic.
Ricky’s report of the Dunfermline game is now available.
15.12.98
Motherwell are reported to be close to signing Everton right-back Tony Thomas. The 27-year-old failed to agree terms when we originally tried to sign him 10 days ago, but Goodison Park boss Walter Smith now says a £150,000 deal is “imminent”.
Motherwell have given permission for Blackburn Rovers to negotiate with Brian McClair for him to become their new assistant manager. “We have had talks and things are progressing” said a Blackburn spokesman. McClair still has two-and-a-half years of his contract run and Motherwell will be looking for compensation.
14.12.98
Who cares about the Motherwell Prediction League when we all know the true test of REAL champions is the BBC Sweepstake !!!
13.12.98
Newspaper reports suggest that Billy Davies is interested in former Kilmarnock goalkeeper Dragoje Lekovic. The 31-year-old Yugoslav international is on the verge of quitting Spanish outfit Malaga.
12.12.98
Today’s Daily Record claims that Brian McClair is ready to accept Brian Kidd’s offer of the No. 2 job at Blackburn Rovers. McClair, whose family still live in Wilmslow where his children attend school, met Kidd last week for secret talks about thepost – with the permission of Motherwell.
07.12.98
Many thanks to everyone who has sent a message of condolence following the tragic death of Andy Thomson on Friday night. Sorry I can’t reply personally to you all, but rest assured I will forward all messages on to the club.
The Dundee game will now take place a week on Wednesday (16th) with a 7.45pm kick-off.
Time for a quick plug. Make sure you check out Linsey Paton’s East Kilbride Girl’s FC Web Site!
05.12.98
Today’s game against Dundee has been postponed as a mark of respect to Andy Thompson, one of our under-21 players, who died suddenly last night. The striker, who celebrated his 19th birthday on Thursday, collapsed and died at a friends house yesterday evening. He was born in Bellshill and signed from Motherwell Boys Club in September last year. Our condolencies go out to his family and friends. The Dundee match has been re-arranged for Wednesday night.
Brian McClair is now being linked with the vacant assistant manager’s jobs at both Man Utd AND Blackburn Rovers.
04.12.98
Brian McClair is being linked with the vacant assistant manager’s job at Manchester United.
03.12.98
Motherwell’s bid to sign Tony Thomas has been stalled after it was revealed he is due a £75,000 loyalty payment from Everton. Billy Davies has agreed a £150,000 fee with Goodison Park boss Walter Smith for the right-back, but Thomas is due a payment from Everton and, because he has not asked for a transfer, he wants the cash before he moves on. Motherwell will have to compensate Thomas in full, or Everton must give him half the transfer fee.
The new admission prices announced yesterday are only for the East Stand. The Davie Cooper Stand carries a £1 supplement and the Main Stand a £2 supplement. The reduced prices do not apply to Scottish Cup ties.
02.12.98
Today’s Daily Record reports that Motherwell are set to sign Everton right-back Tony Thomas in a £150,000 deal. Billy Davies was locked in negotiations with the 27-year-old last night after agreeing a fee with the Merseyside club. Davies, who first spotted Thomas whilst watching John Spencer play for Everton reserves last month, is hopeful the deal will be completed in time for the player, signed for £400,000 from Tranmere just 16 months ago, to make his debut against Dundee on Saturday. Thomas was a team-mate of Pat Nevin, Ged Brannan and Shaun Teale during his time at Prenton Park.
Another player to be linked with Motherwell is Man City striker Craig Russell, who is valued at £250,000.
Motherwell’s bid to buy John Spencer has been stalled by the boardroom changes at Everton.
John Boyle has announced he is reducing admission prices at Fir Park between now and the end of the season, Old Firm and Hearts games excepted. Starting with Saturday’s visit of Dundee, prices will be £10.00 for adults, £4.00 for OAPs/students and just £2.00 for children. When asked if the new charges could leave Motherwell open to accusations of discrimination against the followers of Hearts, Celtic and Rangers, Boyle replied:
“I care not a jot about them. Our fans have to pay £16, £18 or £20 to go to their grounds and we want to make money out of these games.”
Motherwell’s home game against Celtic has been moved back a day to Sunday, February 21 with a 6.05pm kick-off to accommodate SKY Television.
Ricky’s match report of the Celtic game is now available.
01.12.98
The Sun reports that Billy Davies is interested in Blackpool goalkeeper Steve Banks, who is rated at around £300,000. Celtic and Bolton are also believed to be keeping tabs on the situation.
Kai Nyyssonen has been released by his contact and has returned to Finland to join FC Haka. The 26-year-old made just four appearances after signing in the summer for Harri Kampman.
Finnish defender Harri Ylonen is set to join Norweigian side Brann Bergen. The international sweeper signed a pre-contract agreement with Motherwell in the summer, but John Boyle pulled the plug on the deal when Billy Davies was appointed. Boyle claims the contract is invalid because it was agreed by the previous regime and a compensation battle is still on-going with Ylonen’s agent.
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