Toxteth O'Grady

Dundee v Motherwell in 2nd round

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/finland-international-star-could-motherwells-24611925 Finland international star could be Motherwell's ninth summer signing Experienced defender Juhani Ojala has reportedly impressed during a trial this summer Motherwell are set to make their ninth summer signing in experienced defender Juhani Ojala. The Daily Record reports that the 32-year-old reportedly impressed during a trial at Fir Park this summer. Eyebrows were raised when Ojala wasn't part of Finland's Euros squad, having won 22 caps before then. Ojala has played in Switzerland with Young Boys, Russia with Terek Grozny and with Hacken in Sweden, and is currently with Danish side Vejle Boldklub, where his contract is coming to an end. He would be the Fir Park club's ninth summer signing, following Liam Kelly, Connor Shields, Justin Amaluzor, Darragh O'Connor, Kevin Van Veen, Kaiyne Woolery, Mich'el Parker and Callum Slattery.

I see the podcast guys are raising money to sponsor a shirt in Andy's memory https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/andyp

Completely agree. I thought the wee preview video made it quite clear there would be two rows of empty seats and at least three vacant seats between fans. However, at half time a group of guys came and sat directly behind us, in full view of the nearest steward who clearly noticed, but did nothing.

Details here: https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2021/07/07/apply-now-for-premier-sports-cup-tickets/

THREE year contract????

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57629123 Scottish stadiums could have full crowds from 10 August - Jason Leitch Limited numbers can attend matches as things stand, like Hearts' friendly at Linlithgow on Saturday Full crowds could return to Scottish football grounds from 10 August, says Scotland's national clinical director, who added the date was "indicative". Under current Covid-19 rules, stadiums can have limited numbers or no fans, depending on the local authority area. However, restrictions are set to end later this summer. "On 9 August, all physical distancing is removed and the limits on event sizes is removed," Jason Leitch told BBC Radio Scotland's The Sunday Show. "It's a little bit indicative. On 9 August, the levels system disappears unless, for instance, there were particular hotspots or the country didn't do what we hope it will do. Maybe vaccination slows down for some reason - I'm not expecting that." Stadiums can have 2000 from 19 July The first two rounds of SPFL league fixtures take place prior to 9 August, with the League Cup second round scheduled for the weekend of 14 August and league games resuming the following weekend. On Tuesday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a revised routemap for lifting constraints. From 19 July, areas in the Scottish government's level zero tier can accommodate 2,000 fans, and standing venues 1,000 spectators. Applications to increase numbers can be made on a case-by-case basis. The new baseline limit will apply in the fourth round of the League Cup first-round group stage and Scottish clubs' European qualifiers in July. The SPFL league season should be able to begin in late July with fans in grounds. For matches before 19 July - in the League Cup and pre-season friendlies - a maximum of 1,000 and a minimum of 250 can be accommodated, depending on local restrictions.

Spotted this on FPC... http://www.motherwell-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/motherwell_aim_for_2000_at_fir_park_in_july_956650/index.shtml

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/motherwell-target-four-summer-signings-24383277 Motherwell target four summer signings from down southL LanarkshireLive Sport understands the Fir Park club are looking at a goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and a striker Motherwell are believed to be interested in bolstering their squad with four players from down south. Welsh international goalkeeper Tom King, Irish defender Darragh O'Connor, midfielder Joe Muscatt and striker Shayon Harrison are believed to be on the Fir Park club's shopping list King, 26, is at Newport County and although he played for England at under-17 level, he was called up for the Welsh national team in 2019 for Euro 2020 qualifying matches against Azerbaijan and Hungary. Former Waterford and Shamrock under-19 defender O'Connor, 21, is currently at Leicester City under-23s. Muscatt, 23, an English midfielder with a Maltese passport, started his career with Tottenham Hotspur as a youth and moved to Bolton, but is currently with Paderborn II in Germany. Forward Harrison (23) is currently with English League One side AFC Wimbledon, but spent nearly two years with Almere City in Holland. Motherwell have taken their pre-season signings so far to three, with Kaiyne Woolery and Justin Amaluzor coming in after Connor Shields was snapped up from Queen of the South.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57571009 Minimum 2000 fans from 19th July

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57515062 Euro 2020: Meet Finland's Motherwell-born starlet, Onni Valakari Highly rated Pafos midfielder Onni Valakari (right) is part of Finland's Euro 2020 squad Motherwell is part of Onni Valakari's life. Not something you expect to hear said about a Finland international, but his father Simo insists it is the case. Young Onni, you see, was born in the Scottish town in 1999 during his old man's four-year stint with the local team. And now, after impressing at Cypriot side Pafos last season, he is part of the first Finnish squad to play at a major finals and even featured in BBC Sport's 20 young players to watch at Euro 2020. "Even if it was brief, Motherwell is a part of his life," Simo tells BBC Scotland. "He follows the Scottish Premiership. As a family holiday, we are planning one day to come back and see where we used to live." 'Maybe one day he could play in Scotland' Onni enjoyed a productive campaign in Cyprus prior to this summer's delayed finals, scoring 13 goals and registering seven assists in 36 games from midfield. The 21-year-old's form earned him a Finland debut last November in France, where the former Tromso man announced himself on the international stage with a curling effort to help his side secure a memorable 2-0 win over the world champions in Paris. "His goal wasn't bad, was it?" Simo, now managing KuPS in his homeland, says. "It's funny because when the game started he tumbled on his feet the first time he got the ball. I thought: 'Oh no, what's going to happen here?'. "Thankfully he got a few touches and the whole Finnish team started to play. France must've been thinking: 'What is happening? These unknown players are playing it around us.'. Then he scored that goal, it was unbelievable." Ngolo Kante and Onni Valakari Valakari (right) scored a fine strike on his international debut against N'Golo Kante's (left) France An impressive season in Cyprus' top flight, as well as international recognition, has led to speculation surrounding Onni's future. The advice from his father is that it may be time for the Pafos midfielder move on, and perhaps a return to the country of his birth could be on the cards. "It's hard to plan anything in football," Simo says. "But I think it's time for Onni to move on. But at the same time he's still contracted at Pafos and he needs to play regularly. "Which league he would go to? A lot depends on the club, the coach and the way of playing. If that's right then it can be any league. Maybe one day he could play in Scotland." 'Now we want a new party' Onni is part of a promising new generation of Finnish talent that adds to an already talented group of players, who have created history by reaching a major tournament for the first time. As well as reaching their first finals, Finland could yet achieve further unprecedented success, with a place in the Euro 2020 knockout stage well within their grasp. With four points almost certainly being enough to progress, that would mean Markku Kanerva's men would need a point from their final group game against Belgium to reach that tally. "It has been a dream for generations for Finland to get to a World Cup or Euros," Simo adds. "But we are not just happy to participate. The party has been already when we qualified. Now we want a new party."

https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2021/06/15/2021-22-cinch-premiership-fixtures-announced/ Home to Hibs first.

I thought he was a bit out of his depth tbh

Absolutely stunned by this news. A massive 'Well fan and a genuinely nice guy. Thoughts are with his family

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