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The training facility plans were approved yesterday by North Lanarkshire Council, with a small number of routine conditions and notes attached e.g. unrecorded mine workings; tree preservation etc. The application, for which permission lasts for 3 years, did not require to go before the Planning Committee, due to its straightforward nature and small number of representations, which were all addressed satisfactorily.

Gives us more cover in defence and certainly sounds like good pedigree. Hopefully last loan deal, like to see more permanent ones coming in now

Maybe I'm on my own here, but I really hope not. The final paragraph caught my eye: That's something I've long advocated for. Give Motherwell supporters first bite at the cherry. Harness the goodwill that exists and, where it's competitive to do so, keep the money, work and goodwill within our own support and community. What I can't get past, though, is the juxtaposition of asking for supporter involvement now rather than earlier when the planning itself was being made. We're a fan-owned club, we're sold on greater transparency and accountability, told these are fundamental. Yet a decision as significant as relocating the club's day-to-day operations for the foreseeable future appears to have been progressed almost entirely behind closed doors. The only reason it was even discussed before today is because an eagle-eyed supporter happened to spot the planning application on the NLC website. Deciding where the club will be based from 9 to 5, Monday to Friday, in perpetuity isn't a minor operational matter. It's a strategic decision that sits firmly within the remit of the Well Society and, ultimately, its membership. Naturally, some well kent faces will wheel out the often cited "fan-owned, not fan-run". But that should neither become a straw man nor a shield against accountability, nor a way of closing down legitimate questions from the very people who own the club. Fan ownership has to mean meaningful involvement in decisions of this scale. A decision of this permanence sits firmly within the remit of the membership and should have been subject to proper consultation and a vote. To suggest that an individual owner with over 70% of the entity would have limited input in advance of a decision of this magnitude would be difficult to imagine. It is therefore hard to justify why this has seemingly been delegated solely to the two Well Society representatives on the club board or treated as an executive matter for the Society board, rather than something requiring wider member engagement. Fan ownership does not mean members should be involved in every operational decision or that the club cannot move forward without a vote on every matter. It does, however, mean that decisions of this scale and permanence should involve the people who collectively own the club. This should not be presented as a fait accompli as the press release makes out, particularly when its hard to see how we'll ever own the surrounding land. That means the long-term value, control and flexibility of the asset will always be constrained, making meaningful consultation before reaching this point even more important. The WS's own document (found here: https://thewellsociety.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/TheWellSocietyMajorVotesPolicy.pdf) states: 3. Definition of a Major Vote ● A ballot of the membership will be progressed if it meets any of the following major vote criteria: ● Large-Scale Financial Decisions o Taking on significant debt (e.g., major loans, stadium financing). o Selling club assets (stadium, training ground, or other major facilities). ● The Society Board retains the discretion to call a ballot of the membership on issues beyond the defined criteria, where it considers there to be a potential impact on the club’s structure, financial stability, governance, or identity. It's hard to reconcile how a decision that determines where the club's primary operations will be based for decades does not at least warrant consideration under this policy. Selling as asset such as a training ground is identical to buying one. This is the first major test of a policy adopted last summer, and members deserve clarity on why it has not been invoked. From the outside looking in, it appears the very people who collectively own the club have been bypassed, rather than empowered, by a process that should have placed them at the centre of the decision.

I forgot to add that we are also receiving a contributory grant from the SFA for the development.

Ah, bugger. Did not see that.

Lets be honest about that HB had a couple of half chances over the two games that Paulsen had to deal with but our defence was never really in any trouble. It was two clean sheets but in the context of the team we were playing were hopeless. Two clean sheets in the first two league games will be more praiseworthy.

No. The land it will be built on is owned by the Dalziel High School War Memorial Trust and will remain in their hands. That has been a concern of mine.

That would be a good start to the season.

Is ownership of the facility going to be fully in the hands of the club or are we purely going to own the pavilion?

A couple of signings before we head out for Helsinki wont help our progress, but they would put a spring in the step of our supporters. Its all about vibes at the start of the season. We need to keep the feelgood factor going as long as possible!

He is really good with the ball at his feet, I know that’s why we got him but he is “super” confident doing it….. which does scare me a little as goalies all think they are better players than they are. I’ve not seen anything so far to make me worry too much though, apart from his height. keeper’s are always liable to have a nightmare, even the world class ones. I think he seems to have settled well so touch wood he continues to improve

I'm pretty sure most fans think their keeper is the only keeper that makes mistakes. They never think that about outfield players, but for some reason keepers need to be perfect.

Iv had a worry in the two matches about the differences as well. What i would say is that there was a period early 2nd half lastnight where it looked to have clicked & we were really zipping the ball about. Hopefully its the start of the development. No reason to panic yet & once we have three or four league games under our belts we will have a better idea of where we are

Not at all, just comparing my feelings at the end of the LC stage last year to effectively the same time this year. just my view, everyone has one 👍

I’d rip your arm off for a draw right now. Be delighted to start with a point at Easter road.

Totally agree re fans support and expenses outlay,nothing but huge praise for them,it was a personal thing,maybe a tad feeling sorry for them with their slighty empty stadium and their players that also hold down other jobs,it was just a personal that i felt and conveyed.

Williams was good, Mikey Booth impressed me again, Fadinger did Fadinger things, and despite his lack of finishing, Said doesnt half get us up the pitch at times. MOTM is easy though. Oscar again by a mile. The boy is class. Different player from Watt but class nonetheless.

They could be if Longelo is around long enough…