Motherwell FC News – March 1997
Motherwell FC News
March 1997
27.03.97
Motherwell have no match this weekend because of the Scotland international against Estonia, and our next game will be against Aberdeen a week on Saturday. Motherwell will be without Brian Martin, who is suspended, but Stevie McMillan will be available again after a two game ban.
Fir Park is the venue for Scotland’s Under-21 European Championship match against Austria on Tuesday, kick-off 7.30pm. Prices are 5 pounds for adults and 2 pounds for children and OAPs in the East Stand and Davie Cooper Stand. All main stand seats are 5 pounds. Motherwell’s Stevie McMillan is in the Scotland squad for the match.
26.03.97
Alex McLeish has been excused from his duties with Scotland’s Under-21s as the threat of relegation increases. After Motherwell slipped into the play-off position at the weekend, McLeish asked Scotland boss Craig Brown for time off to spend more time with his players. McLeish’s former Aberdeen manager, Alex Smith, will take over his duties with the Under-21s.
24.03.97
Click here to read “Wishing ‘Wells” – an interview with Alex McLeish.
21.03.97
The Sun reports that Motherwell have signed East Fife defender Kevin Christie, who was freed by Aberdeen earlier this year, in a £10,000 deal.
20.03.97
We’ve been spared! Stewart McKimmie has now in fact signed for Dundee United until the end of the season.
Stephen McMillan completes a two-match ban when he misses the Hearts game on Saturday, and Brian Martin will miss the follwing match, against Aberdeen on April 5, through suspension.
19.03.97
A report in this morning’s Sun claims that Alex McLeish is close to signing his former Aberdeen team-mate Stewart McKimmie, who has recently been given a free transfer from Pittodrie. A deal could be done in time for McKimmie to make his debut in Saturday’s home game against Hearts. Eddie May could miss the Hearts match due to a calf injury.
14.03.97
Just heard on the radio that Motherwell have signed Micky Weir from Hibs on a free transfer until the end of the season.
13.03.97
Eddie May will return to the side at Rugby Park on Saturday after a one game suspension, although Shaun McSkimming could be missing for a couple of weeks with a leg injury. Dougie Arnott finally resumed training this week after a long-term knee problem which required surgery.
Motherwell FC will pay coach bills for all supporters and travel clubs registered with them for Saturday’s trip to Kilmarnock.
12.03.97
A report in this morning’s Sun claims that Motherwell will be running free buses to Rugby Park on Saturday.
06.03.97
Eddie May and Shaun McSkimming will both miss Saturday’s Cup tie against Dundee United at Tannadice. May is suspended and McSkimming is injured. The clubs have met seven times previously in the Cup and have three wins apiece with one draw.
According to this morning’s Motherwell Times, Chris McCart has NOT been freed but has simply been made available for transfer. Alex McLeish is quoted as saying :
“It’s not the case that Chris is free to walk out the door. We have had discussions and I would like him to stay, but he is a proud guy and doesn’t want to play reserve football. There’s a chance that he could come back into the team, but if the situation comes where he wants to move, we would like to help him. Whether we would demand a fee or not would depend on the timing.”
McCart has made 293 appearances for the club and scored eight goals. His last appearance was in the 5-0 defeat at Parkhead on January 4. Dunfermline, Airdrie, Falkirk, Hamilton and Livingston are reported to have shown interest.
05.03.97
It appears that Alex McLeish is having second thoughts about freeing Chris McCart. Falkirk had put together a deal to sign the defender but the move has been put on hold as Motherwell still want him at Fir Park. McCart, who has recovered from a knee injury, could now be included in the squad for the Scottish Cup tie against Dundee United on Saturday.
04.03.97
Paul Kane, who had been training with Motherwell recently, has signed for Hibs on a trial basis.
03.03.97
Motherwell have been allocated just 2,500 tickets for the Cup tie at Tannadice on Saturday. Tickets will go on sale to Season Ticket holders today and tomorrow (the ticket office will be open until 8pm both nights), and the remainder will go on general sale on Wednesday. There are no concessions – all tickets are £12.00.
Club captain Chris McCart has been handed a shock free transfer – with 18 months of his contract still to run. McCart was the longest serving player at the club having signed in 1984, and had made almost 300 appearances for the first team. At one stage he was on the verge of international honours. Dunfermline, St Johnstone, Falkirk and Stoke City are rumoured to be interested.
Motherwell are reported to be interested in former Aberdeen midfielder Lee Richardson, now playing with Oldham. Richardson could move back north in a £150,000 move or swap deal as he’s out of contract in the summer.
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