Motherwell FC News – Sept 1997
Motherwell FC News
September 1997
26.09.97
Apparently the Dunfermline game scheduled for Friday 19 December has now been put back until the Saturday (20th) as the Police cannot cover the match.
Aberdeen referee Bill Freeland will officiate at tomorrow’s game at Ibrox.
25.09.97
Emmanuel Babayaro made an impressive debut as he helped Motherwell reserves to a 1-0 win over Hibs reserves yesterday. Alex McLeish, who played the full 90 minutes himself, said:
“Emmanuel handled things well and looks more than a decent goalkeeper. He came and collected some difficult crosses and, in general, looked comfortable. We realise it may be difficult to sign him but we’ll assess the situation over the next few days.”
Young Stephen Craigan is expected to keep his place in the side at Ibrox on Saturday after impressing Alex McLeish in the Hibs game last week. Brian Martin didn’t train on Monday or Tuesday but is expected to be fit by the weekend.
24.09.97
European Cup holders Borussia Dortmund will play Motherwell in a friendly match at some point during this season to help make up for signing Paul Lambert for no fee last year, but Motherwell will still have to pay Dortmund #60,000 as an appearance fee.
Hibs defender Gordon Hunter could sign for Motherwell before Saturday’s game at Ibrox.
23.09.97
Nigerian goalkeeper Emmanuele Babayaro will play for Motherwell in tomorrow’s reserve match with Hibs. The 22-year-old has 16 full caps and a gold medal from the 1996 Olympics.
Scott Howie is now training with former club Clyde after his move to Sheffield United collapsed. The former Scotland squad goalkeeper quit Motherwell when his contract ended on June 30, but the club retain the right to a transfer fee. Alex McLeish is quoted as saying:
“Scott is a good young ‘keeper and we are not freeing him.”
22.09.97
Former Motherwell players Franz Resch and Mario Doerner have signed for English 3rd Division side Darlington.
19.09.97
The draw for Stramash ’97 (formerly known as Ra Tournie) took place in the Copthorne Hotel in Glasgow last night. Motherwell will play in Group 2 along with Rangers and Huddersfield, while Celtic, Leeds and Livingston will make up Group 1. If you are interested in playing then PLEASE LET ME KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!
18.09.97
Greig Denham, who was sent-off against Celtic on Saturday, and the other players who were booked will all be disciplined by the club. However, no action will be taken against Iain Ross, who was sent-off in the Coca-Cola Cup match last Wednesday.
Alex McLeish will not be pursuing his interest in Trinidadian centre-back Marvyn Andrews, who has been training at Fir Park for the last couple of weeks. However, the club hope to arrange a closed-door match to allow McLeish a better look at Nigerian goalkeeper Emmanuel Babayoro who has looked impressive on the training ground.
17.09.97
Today’s Sun reports that Alex McLeish is set to offer contract rebel Scott Howie a one-month deal with the club after his move to Sheffield Utd fell through.
15.09.97
Motherwell are part of a move by Scotland’s 10 Premier Clubs to resign from the Scottish Football League and create a new Premier League under the auspices of the SFA. The top clubs feel they should be reaping more benefits from the commercial side of the game, and favour a breakaway similar to the English Premiership.
Motherwell are looking at 21-year old Trinidadian centre-back Marvyn Andrews, who is training at Fir Park for a few weeks.
Shaun McSkimming will be out for another month after suffering a knee infection following a crutiate ligament operation.
The club have again been linked with a move for Hib’s defender Gordon Hunter.
Newspaper reports suggest that Lanarkshire lottery millionaire John McGuinness has failed in a bid to buy the club. McGuinness is believed to have offers #1.2 million, while Chapman won’t settle for anything less than #2 million.
Alex McLeish is interested in Nigerian international goalkeeper Emmanuel Babayaro, the brother of Chelsea star Celestine. The 22-year-old will spend the next two weeks training at Fir Park.
Veteran striker Dougie Arnott has been awarded a testimonial. The club hope to attract a top Premiership side to Fir Park for the match. Arnott joined Motherwell in 1986 from Pollok Juniors and is one of the club’s longest serving players.
Hull City manager Mark Hateley has asked Alex McLeish to let him have Billy Davies on loan for three months.
09.09.97
Alex McLeish has released Austrian pair Franz Resch and Mario Doerner, claiming they were no better than the young players already at the club. It was thought that the duo had signed for a year, but it appears they were only on 3-month contracts. However, the club may not have been able to afford the money the duo wanted for a longer deal.
08.09.97
Scott Howie has knocked back a move to Premiership leaders Blackburn Rovers to continue his trial with Sheffield United. Blackburn manager Roy Hodgson tried to sign Howie following injuries to his three goalkeepers, but Howie felt that he had a better chance of first team football at Sheffield. His move to Yorkshire could be concluded this week.
Motherwell’s game against Kilmarnock, postponed as a mark of respect following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, has been re-arranged for Wednesday October 8. Motherwell were due to face Coventry City in a testimonial match for John Philliben the previous night, so this will now have to be re-sceduled. However, today’s Sun is reporting that Philliben is set to sign for raith Rovers on a free transfer.
Namibian international Eliphas Shivute completed his move to Motherwell last week, signing a two-year contract. The 22-year-old striker is expected to make his debut at Parkhead on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, Steve Woods has signed a new two-year deal with the club after turning in some impressive displays since taking over from Scott Howie.
Newspaper reports last week linked Motherwell with a possible move for ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar, who is available on a free transfer. However it is unlikely the club would be able to meet his wage demands.
Alex Burns has hit four goals in six games for Dutch side SC Heracles, but is now facing a 3 match ban following the first red card of his career.
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