Toxteth O'Grady

Not a great start for the new ticketing system. Huge queues outside the East Stand before the game.

Doesn't sound like we will be signing anyone else. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45144011 Christian Mbulu: Motherwell boss content after signing former Millwall defender 15 minutes ago From the sectionMotherwell Sharethis page Christian Mbulu (left) had been playing for Millwall Under-23s Defender Christian Mbulu has signed for Motherwell after leaving Millwall, with manager Stephen Robinson now happy with the squad he has assembled this summer. Tom Aldred, 27, returned to Fir Park on loan from Bury on Thursday. And he and 22-year-old Mbulu will compensate for the sale of Cedric Kipre to Wigan Athletic and an injury to fellow centre-half Charles Dunne. "I think we have enough cover and it's time to get back to being solid like last season," Robinson said. Motherwell lost 3-0 to Hibernian on the opening weekend of the Scottish Premiership season, the game quickly following the £1m sale of Kipre and with Dunne having been ruled out for up to four months. "I have signed Tom and lost Charles Dunne, who is a big loss to us, and also Cedric, but I feel we have the personnel in the building with young Christian as well, who is one who is up-and-coming with a lot of potential but maybe not for right here, right now," Robinson said. Aldred returns to Motherwell on loan Kipre completes £1m Wigan switch "We have Barry Maguire, who can play centre-midfield and centre-half as well." Aldred also spent the second half of last season with Well on loan from Bury, playing 22 times, but lacks match sharpness as the Steelmen prepare to face Hamilton Academical in Saturday's Lanarkshire derby. "He hasn't trained yet - he only came up late last night and has not played in any competitive games yet," Robinson explained. "I will have a look at him. We want to put him in, but we will have to see where he is." Mbulu, who has signed a one-year contract after impressing on trial, came through the youth ranks with Millwall but failed to break into the English Championship club's first team. His only senior experience was three matches in March 2017 while on loan to Braintree Town in the National League and he will initially join Well's reserve squad. Mbulu told Well's website: "It's a good platform for me to get some game time. "I think it's a great club for me to come to at this stage of my career and hopefully reach my full potential."

Sounds like Aldred is not a definite starter. Quote from Robinson on the BBC website:

Don't know about that, but his brother was sitting just along from me in the away section yesterday.

Even though he only played for 30 mins I voted for Johnson, which says everything about how the rest of the team played. Bigi the only other player to get pass marks in my opinion.

https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2018/08/03/cedric-kipre-joins-wigan-athletic/ CÉDRIC KIPRÉ JOINS WIGAN ATHLETIC 15:52 Defender Cédric Kipré has left the club to join English Championship side Wigan Atheltic. The 21-year-old Parisian joined ‘Well in the summer of 2017 from Leicester City and made an immediate impression, following a string of impressive performances. The youngster, who also played for Paris Saint-Germain, became a fan favourite and broke into the Ivory Coast international side, playing for their Under 23s in a 5-0 win against Togo. He finished his rookie season having featured 49 times in claret and amber, playing more domestic minutes than any player in Scotland last term. He added a further three appearances in the Betfred Cup this season. Kipré joins the Latics for a significant fee, with the club also potentially earning more should the player excel at the DW Stadium. He has signed a three-year contract with the club. “Although it’s with a heavy heart that we lose Cédric, his progress over the last year has been remarkable and it’s little wonder English Championship clubs have been circling,” ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson said. “He has the potential to go all the way to the top in my opinion and we very much wish him well in his future career. He will always be welcome back at Fir Park. “We have been working on a potential replacement and hope to have something completed on that front as soon as possible.” The 6ft 3in defender is not the first Motherwell player to head south for Wigan, with Lee McCulloch and Stevie McMillan following a similar path almost 20 years ago. Kipré himself added: “I would like to thank everyone at Motherwell, especially the manager and the fans, for everything they have done for me. “I loved it at the club and it was hard to leave, but this is a really big move for my family and I and we are excited by the challenge. “Motherwell will always have a special place in my heart though and I will be cheering the team on wherever I am.” Chief executive Alan Burrows said: “The model we have at the club is built and based around the development and trade of players, everyone gets that. “That said, you always have mixed emotions at these times. Whilst you are happy for the player and share in the sense of pride at seeing someone develop and move up the ladder, it’s a wrench to see such a talented player leave for the last time. “However, when the full balance of the fee is paid, it will go down as one of the most lucrative in Motherwell’s history, with the potential to be the most depending on how Cédric performs at Wigan. “We believe that represents good business and we will be working with Stephen Robinson to try and find a replacement.” Everyone at Motherwell FC would like to thank Cédric for his contribution whilst at Fir Park and wish him every success in his future career.

I'd heard about this earlier today. It's genuine. https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/3016665/motherwell-cedric-kipre-wigan-1m-deal/ ON THE MOVE Motherwell star Cedric Kipre set to join Wigan in stunning £1m deal with Stephen Robinson resigned to losing him SunSport understands the Fir Park defender is discussing personal terms with the Latics and is preparing to have a medical with the English Championship side By Derek McGregor 2nd August 2018, 6:42 pm MOTHERWELL stopper Cedric Kipre’s set to join English Championship side Wigan in a stunning £1 million deal. SunSport understands the powerful Ivory Coast star – a free transfer capture from Leicester City only a year ago – is discussing personal terms and preparing for a medical. KENNY RAMSAY - THE SUN GLASGOW 1 Cedric Kipre in action for Motherwell Kipre’s played 51 games for Well but boss Stephen Robinson is now resigned to losing him and it’s understood has already ruled him out of Sunday’s Premiership opener against Hibs. It’s a stunning rise for the 21-year-old who was identified by Fir Park head of recruitment Martin Foyle and developed by Robinson who has worked miracles at the club on and off the park. Hull City had a £250,000 bid for Kipre rejected earlier in the summer and Robinson made it clear the asking price was £1 million. Now Wigan – managed by Paul Cook – have met that valuation with a sizeable down-payment and additional payment clauses which ultimately could net that seven-figure sum for the Steelmen.

I'm guessing parking in Edinburgh at this time of year is going to be a nightmare. Any suggestions?

Game confirmed for Saturday 18th, and the club are running buses... https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2018/07/30/get-on-board-our-bus-to-livingston/

Livingston away in the next round.

Tomorrow after the Hearts v ICT game.

I've already requested that the game be shown at the sports bar round the corner from our hotel on the Costa del Sol

Guessing this is the "something unique" Flow was on about... https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2018/07/17/announcing-a-new-look-to-our-squad-numbers/ ANNOUNCING A NEW LOOK TO OUR SQUAD NUMBERS 16:31 We’re updating our style for the 2018/19 season. Out go the old white numbers on the back of our home shirts, in come the proper colours. Our new home kits, which will be worn competitively for the first time on Tuesday night, will have claret numbers for the first time in two decades. You can get your home kit printed with the claret numbering from 26 July in the ‘Well Shop. Home tops are currently available to buy online.

Genuine question. Did you find somewhere showing the game?

Hibs away up first on Sat Aug 4th. http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2018/06/15/201819-premiership-fixtures-announced/

http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2018/06/06/pre-season-programme-announced/ Pre-season programme announced Wednesday, June 6, 2018 Motherwell will play three public matches as part of their pre-season preparations for the 2018/19 campaign. Stephen Robinson’s side will start with a trip to face Crusaders in Belfast on 30 June. The team will travel to take part in the testimonial for Jordan Owens. The 28-year-old striker has been with the club for the last 10 years and is also their leading all-time goal scorer. Kick off against the team taking part in this year’s UEFA Champions League qualifiers is at 1pm at the Seaview ground. The team will then be back on their travels with a trip to face Darlington on Sunday, 8 July. Ryan Bowman and Curtis Main will come up against their former side, who ply their trade in the National League. Kick off at Blackwell Meadows is at 1pm. A final match with Dunfermline Athletic will then follow on Thursday, 12 July at East End Park with a 7.30pm kick off. Tickets will be available on the gate priced at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions. A visit to face Morton will also take place on 4 July but the game is likely to be played behind closed doors. Confirmation will follow shortly. We are then in competitive action at home to Edinburgh City on Tuesday, 17 July in the Betfred Cup group stage. MOTHERWELL’S CONFIRMED PRE-SEASON GAMES Saturday, 30 June: Crusaders (A), Seaview, Belfast. Kick off 1pm Sunday, 8 July: Darlington (A), Blackwell Meadows. Kick off 2pm Thursday, 12 July: Dunfermline Athletic (A), East End Park. Kick off 7.30pm.

Best pitch in the top flight... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44358594 "Motherwell were the highest-ranking top-flight club in fourth."

Thought this was worth a topic of its own. Club 100 say they are running a bus to a Crusaders v Motherwell pre-season friendly in Belfast on Sat 30th June if they get enough numbers. Can't see any mention of this friendly anywhere. Anybody heard anything?

Not so good for Faddy... https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scotland-legend-james-mcfadden-battling-12582969

Bigi definitely worth a new contract IMHO

Where are you seeing that???

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44131816 Fan to Motherwell chief executive - 'Winning Scottish Cup would be beyond wildest dreams' By Jonathan Sutherland BBC Scotland 16 minutes ago From the sectionMotherwell Share this page Motherwell chief executive Alan Burrows on his rise from supporter to chief executive Scottish Cup final: Celtic v Motherwell Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Date: Saturday, 19 May Kick-off: 15:00 BST Coverage: Live on BBC One Scotland from 14:00, Radio Scotland & BBC Sport Scotland website and BBC Sport app How do you go from being a fan of a football club to its' chief executive? Few have made the journey but for Alan Burrows, it began with a trip to Hampden when he was eight years old to watch Motherwell beat Dundee United 4-3 in a classic Scottish Cup final. That was 1991. Now 35, and preparing for another Motherwell Scottish Cup final at Hampden, Burrows casts his mind back to a pivotal moment in his life. "It wasn't my first game, but it was certainly one of the ones that I remember," he tells BBC Sport Scotland. "I was still an impressionable young boy, going with my dad. I certainly remember the colour, the smells and the noise... sitting on the crash barrier at Hampden and watching the range of emotions from people. "That really hooked me on football. Not just the sport but the whole element of the day, the passion and the aggression at times as well. I found it quite fascinating." Motherwell last lifted the Scottish Cup in 1991 Motherwell last lifted the Scottish Cup in 1991, with a young Burrows celebrating at Hampden Cup final success ignited his passion. From there, Burrows would start regularly attending Motherwell matches with his father. "We went through a lot of family difficulties around the time we started going to the game and it really helped solidify the bond between us both," Burrows said. "Our first season ticket was 1993-94, which was the last year of Tommy McLean's era at the club. "The team finished second in the table. We had the likes of Paul Lambert, Tommy Coyne, Dougie Arnott, Brian Martin, Chris McCart - some really fantastic Motherwell legends. The team were outstanding that season. Many felt the team were unlucky not to win the title. "So it was easy to see a young boy like me falling in love with the club, because they were such a decent team at the time." 'I sort of floated home from Austria' With the club in his heart, Burrows' dedication later saw him start running an official Motherwell website in his early-to-mid-20s. One particular away trip saw his career path spiral in a different direction. "I paid for myself to go over to Austria on a pre-season tour," he explained. "Nobody else was going, so I was backpacking, planes, trains and automobiles getting to Obertraun, which is just south of Salzburg. At that time I was sending pictures and reports back. "It was Mark McGhee's first year at the club. Stewart Robertson, the current Rangers managing director, phoned me. He was on the Motherwell board at the time and he left a voicemail saying he really liked what I was doing and would I like to come and do it for the club. "I sort of floated home from Austria. I was on such a high." Burrows started work with Motherwell in September 2007 in the communications department. During that time he worked closely with Leeann Dempster, now chief executive at Hibernian. Alan Burrows in conversation with Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster Alan Burrows learned the ropes from Leaann Dempster before succeeding her as chief executive "I worked for six years with Leeann Dempster. I got to know all the different aspects of how we run on a day-to-day basis," he said. "She involved me, in her latter days before she departed the club, in the senior elements - board meetings, strategy, etc. When she left and she asked me on behalf of the board whether I would want to do the job, it was something I debated for quite some time. "I spent a couple of weeks thinking about it. But in essence I had already made the decision." 'Be seen, be visual, be open and be honest' It has been a whirlwind decade for Burrows in his ascent at Motherwell. Now in charge, his attitude to leadership reflects his rise through the club. "I've never been scared to do anything that needs to be done," he said. "I'd never ask anyone to do something I wouldn't do myself. If that's being at a board meeting, if that's clearing snow off the pitch, if that's cleaning a toilet - I would do it. "I think that's proper leadership. Yes, you need to delegate and you can't do everything, but real leadership - especially when things are difficult - [you need to] be seen, be visual, be open and be honest and give people reassurances that you're prepared to get your sleeves rolled up and work as hard as they're going to work. For me, that's leadership. "It's based on my love for the club. I would do anything for this place and people know that." Motherwell overpowered Aberdeen in the Scottish Cups semi-final to set up a meeting with Celtic Motherwell overpowered Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final to set up a meeting with Celtic His love affair with Motherwell began with Scottish Cup celebrations of 1991, so what would it mean to win the trophy as chief executive? "It would be beyond my wildest dreams," he said. "It gets me emotional thinking about it actually. This club has only won the Scottish Cup twice - 1952 and 1991 - so it would be a treble of our own. So it's a once in a lifetime thing, it's not even a once in a generation thing. "To be the person steering the club off the field and winning a major trophy would be hard to put into words." Motherwell lost Cedric Kipre to a red card in November's League Cup final loss to Celtic Ten-man Motherwell lost 2-0 to Celtic in this season's League Cup final If Burrows' rise has been meteoric, his passion for Motherwell remains undimmed. "My ultimate goal is to make this place better than when I found it," he added. "I want to secure it long term. "We've moved into fan ownership; we're the only club in the Premiership that are fully fan owned. Hearts are on their way to it and St Mirren, who are coming up, are on their way to it as well." "My legacy I hope will be that from an on-field and off-field point of view, we are secure and stable for many generations of Motherwell fans to come, either at this stadium or a new one. "It's leaving a positive environment, a secure and stable environment and an enjoyable environment for people to come and watch the football club they love."

Sunday afternoon I believe.

I don't think there's any chance of that this time around.

You can win two tickets here https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish-cup/scottish-cup-competitions/