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Personally, I think there’s a middle ground here. I agree that “investment” is a word we need to be careful with. Motherwell simply isn’t the kind of club where someone comes in, puts money in, and gets a normal business return from profits. That’s just not how it works for clubs our size. The latest accounts show the club is in a reasonably solid position, but we’re not sitting on huge profits. So if an investor is coming in looking for dividends, control, security over assets, or some guaranteed route to make money, that’s where I’d be taking a long, hard look at their intentions. Where I do think there’s a difference is between bad investment and properly structured strategic investment. The Hearts/Bloom deal is interesting to me for that reason. Bloom put in something like £9.9m for just shy of 30%, but those are non-voting shares if I recall. Hearts/FoH also state that player trading revenue stays with the club, so it doesn’t look like he’s taking a direct cut of any transfers. His upside seems to be tied to the value and success of his stake, not stripping money out of transfer fees. When it comes to Motherwell, I’d be against selling control. Completely against it. But, I wouldn’t be against the right minority deal if it was properly protected. Something like: minority stake only fan control protected ideally non-voting shares no security over Fir Park no right to force asset sales no direct claim on transfer income clear exit terms clear limits on board influence money going into sustainable growth, not just short-term spending The above is very different from just handing the club over to someone. Hibs is probably a bit of a warning sign. Foley/Black Knight came in for 25% at £6m I think, but the relationship didn’t work out from what I read and the stake has now been bought back. That doesn’t prove outside investment is always a bad idea, but it does show that alignment is crucial. Money on its own isn’t enough if the investor’s model, timescale or expectations don’t fit the club. So I’d say organic growth should still be the base case. That’s the safest route, and we do seem to be in a better position now than we were during the car crash that was the Barmack discussion. But I also wouldn’t be shutting the door completely. If someone credible came in with capital, expertise, no demand for control, and a structure that protected the Society and the club, then I think we’d have to look at it seriously. The key for me is that we shouldn’t be looking for “an investor” in the generic sense. We should only be interested in a very specific type of potential partner. Basically, one who strengthens the club without owning the club. Which is hard to find.

When I moved to England in the late 1980s, it was almost impossible to find any coverage of Scottish football on TV, radio or in the papers. Every once in a while I got my hands on a Scottish Sunday newspaper and, even less often, if the weather was right in the evening, I could pick up Radio Scotland on medium wave. When I moved to the US in the late 1990s it was, not surprisingly, even more difficult. Fast forward to 2026, and not only is the Motherwell game being broadcast live here on Paramount+ tomorrow, the Arbroath v Dunfermline second leg is also on live today. Technology is grand.

He kept being a boyhood Rangers fan a bit quiet during his time here Will be interesting to see if he continues coaching. He's definitely a huge JBA fanboi. One of the few players I enjoy listening to when he talks about the game.

He certainly was. In what was an otherwise dismal season he was the one consistent performer. I think a career in the media is more likely given he’s already made inroads on that with his gig on Clyde 1.

Never a huge Halliday fan, I felt in his first year he looked like he felt he was too good for us. I did think last season though he was one of our better performers and I changed my view on him. I think regardless of my indifference of him he did give his all for us and I’m sure most of us will wish him all the best. he’ll not be short of media work as I do think he’s a bit more clued up than the vast majority of doughnuts in the media.

Nice humble interview. All the best Andy.

Yes, a fair summing up. He was a stalwart last season and I thank him for his efforts. Hopefully a coaching role somewhere for him.

Took a lot of stick over the years but I always liked his attitude and even this season he didn't spit dummy out and was big help in helping fadinger and priestman. Jens kept him involved All the best Andy

Harsh. Been a good servant, was a key player last season and been big help this season

He’s been in semi retirement all season but this just makes it official. Best of luck to him and I thank him for his efforts with us which were always 100%. There was always an element of the support who didn’t take to him no matter what he did for their own twisted reasons but I think the vast majority of Motherwell fans appreciate what he did for us especially last season when he was ever present.

Bye bye

I thought that happened before he joined us.

Andy Halliday is officially retiring from playing at the end of the season.

Good point.

I enjoy the podcast, but the presenters need to sit closer to each other - preferably beside each other - so the guest doesn't need to keep looking from left to right like they're watching tennis.,

More analysis for the intelectchools on here:

Very interesting interview. Max comes across like a really good guy. Be interesting to see what happens when Jens moves on. Does he go too, or are we looking at our next Head Coach?

If it’s players we want to keep but we “have” to sell them, then we should be selling to clubs out with Scotland.

A thought regarding the possibility of Just going to Celtic. Jens has previously told us that we are a selling club, but that we will not be selling our assets for a price under our valuation. History tells us that Celtic are not likely to pay top dollar. As such, I think that, if and when Just is sold, it is unlikely to be to Celtic. Or put it another way, if Celtic offer 3 million, someone else will probably offer 4.

I'm not surprised. Banking IT is an archaic mess!

Wait until you hear about a Celtic scout watching Just!

I could live with that. Hearts fell lucky with Bloom as he already had the analytics in place and the model had already proved successful elsewhere. Not sure how many Tony Blooms, or Jamestowns there are out there, but if we could find someone trustworthy with the necessary finances / expertise then it could be a good fit.

I really don't think the Motherwell manager being interested in the Celtic job is a massive exclusive.

SCRUM was just gaining popularity when I retired from banking IT, it was last in a long line of things that made me decide I'd had enough.