Toxteth O'Grady

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/motherwell-striker-scott-mcdonald-overjoyed-5719909 Motherwell striker Scott McDonald overjoyed as Record Sport tells him he's NOT BANNED for second-leg of play-off final after red card mix-up 06:00, 19 MAY 2015 BY KEITH JACKSON AUSSIE delighted as our man Keith Jackson breaks the news that the Well manager Ian Baraclough had got it wrong and he is only set to face a TWO match ban. 26 Shares Share Tweet +1 Craig Foy/SNS Group Scott McDonald saw red for an elbow on Thomas Reilly SCOTT McDONALD last night spoke of his relief after discovering he will be free to help fire Motherwell to top flight safety even if the red card he received at St Mirren on Saturday is not overturned. McDonald left Paisley on Saturday night fearing his second stint at the Fir Park club had been ended by a suspension for a foul he insists he did not commit against youngster Thomas Reilly. He was informed by manager Ian Baraclough that the ban would rule him out of Motherwell’s final three league matches including a play-off final double header against either Hibs or Rangers. In fact, Record Sport confirmed to a delighted McDonald yesterday that he is only in line to sit out two matches and so will be free to play in the return leg of the relegation decider at Fir Park on May 31. ADVERTISING SNS Group Scott McDonald walks after being shown a straight red v St Mirren But the striker is still hoping to have his red card overturned completely by a judicial panel on Thursday - one week before the first leg of the do-or-die shoot-out. The Australian said: “When I left St Mirren on Saturday night I thought my season was over so obviously, this is welcome news. I think there was some confusion because in England, violent conduct carries a three game suspension. That’s what the manager and myself have been used to. “So it’s a huge relief to know that I can still play in the final leg of the play-off but, obviously, I am hopeful that the suspension will be thrown out as I honestly feel I did nothing wrong. I certainly wasn’t guilty of violent conduct.” Motherwell remain determined to have McDonald cleared of any wrong doing by the beaks and general manager Alan Burrows confirmed last night that an official appeal had been lodged in a bid to prove wrongful dismissal. Burrows said: “There has been a lot of confusion over the length of Scott’s suspension and our manager certainly did think it was a three game ban. “But, while it’s good news that Scott would be able to play in the final leg of the play-off, it’s absolutely vital that we push on with out appeal. “The first leg of the play-off could be crucial to our chances of survival and it would be a nightmare to go into that away tie without a player as influential as Scott. When he signed his remit was to help keep the club up and, before Saturday, he had scored five goal in ten games to help turn the team’s fortunes around.” SNS Motherwell's General Manager Alan Burrows McDonald was red carded in the closing stages of the match which condemned Motherwell to an 11th place finish, he was adjudged to have deliberately slammed an elbow into Reilly’s face. The incident was missed by ref Brian Colvin but McDonald was sent packing on the advise of fourth official Andrew Dallas much to the Australian’s astonishment. The Fir Park talisman admits to being left ‘devastated’ by the prospect of an end of season ban. McDonald said: “I came back to Motherwell in February because I wanted to do my bit to help the club out of a difficult situation. I felt it was something I should do, to give something back after everything the club did for me when I was younger. “So now all I want is the chance to finish off the job I started. These are huge games for Motherwell and exciting games to be involved in. It’s a different type of pressure to a cup final or a league decider because you are fighting for your life here. What you are trying to win is your club’s survival. “So there is a great deal riding on it and I just want to be able to play my part. The officials made a big decision on Saturday and, in my view, they got it wrong. You only need to look at my record to see I’m not an aggressive or dirty player. This is only the second red card of my entire career. Baraclough welcomes Scott McDonald back to the club “I have never set out to intentionally hurt an opponent because that’s just not in my make-up. Even in the dressing room after the game I said to the rest of the lads, ‘I haven’t got much to apologise for because I honestly didn’t do anything wrong." A highly emotional McDonald was given extra leave by Baraclough immediately after the 2-1 defeat in Paisley which sealed Motherwell’s play-off fate. He flew to London to spend the weekend with his wife and children at the family home. Manager Baraclough said: “I am massively disappointed as it was a poor decision in my eyes. Scott’s absolutely not that type of player. I saw it with my own eyes at the time and I never had any thoughts whatsoever that it would even be a foul, let alone a red card. “Having watched it back again several times, I think it’s fairly clear for everyone to see that he hasn’t gone with any aggression or attempted to hurt the player and that’s the view of the lad Reilly himself, who I was pleased to read today thinks it was an incorrect decision. “For me, it’s a case of a striker doing what he should do, making his body as big as it can be to try and shield the ball. There was no excessive force used, no violence in my eyes and that is the foundation for our appeal.”

MFC Twitter appeared to indicate Thursday.

Be interesting to see if the club sticks by its plan to give free admission to season ticket holders.

Another "must win" game, 1400 away fans, and the players fail to turn up. Again. Absolutely shameful performance.

Not entirely related to this topic, but it sounds like the SPFL are playing hardball with the BBC... http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/spfl-statement--bbc-deal/

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/spfl/future-of-motherwell-four-not-decided-206910n.126115899 Future of Motherwell four not decided MOTHERWELL have yet to pull the plug on any out-of-contract players - despite reports claiming four are set to be released. Scott MullenGroup Sports Writer Friday 15/05/2015 0 Comments Share Print Motherwell starlet Lee Erwin is attracting attention from big-name clubs Speculation began to spread yesterday that Simon Ramsden, Stuart Carswell, Iain Vigurs and Paul Lawson were all on their way out of Fir Park this summer. The talk stemmed from the quartet being listed on PFA Scotland's player availability list for next season. Ramsden has played 24 games for Well this season, Carswell 20, Vigurs 15 and Lawson just four after being plagued with injury. But SportTimes understands that Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough has yet to tell any of his 17 out-of-contract players that their time in claret and amber is up. It is believed that the Lanarkshire club are focusing efforts on securing their SPFL Premiership status first of all before exploring the situation of all players looking for a new deal. However, we can reveal the club are waiting to hear back from top talent Lee Erwin over a new contract. Manager Baraclough said earlier this week that he had hoped a deal would be done soon for the 21-year-old forward, who is beginning to attract attention from big name clubs. Celtic were the latest potential suitors believed to have an interest in the Overton man, along with Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United. Erwin's contract is also up in the summer, with Well in line to land a sizeable development fee if he moves on. But the Lanarkshire club are still hopeful the former Scotland Under-19 internationalist will put pen to paper soon to stay at Motherwell. Speaking to SportTimes last month, Erwin told how he believed Fir Park was the place to be for him to develop. He said: "I'm now just trying to play as many games as I can and help the team out with my performances. I want to make sure Motherwell stay in the Premiership and take it from there. "In my opinion, this is the right place for me to be, definitely. I'm a local lad and live just five minutes from Fir Park. I have been here for nine years and it's been good for me. "I've grown up watching the first team and it feels like a family here to me."

Ross County 'will not play for draw' against Kilmarnock http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32703799

Cheers Andy. One other point to note. I believe there are are rail engineering works taking place every weekend in May, with no trains running between Motherwell and Glasgow. There is a replacement bus service in operation.

What's the deal with tickets for the St Mirren game? Can we pay at the gate, or do you need to buy a ticket from the wee ticket office in the away stand first? If it's the latter, do you get an allocated seat or can we just sit anywhere?

Thoroughly deserved 3 points, although we made hard work of it. Aside from the first 10 mins and their goal, Killie hardly threatened. Fingers crossed St Mirren can somehow take something from Ross County tomorrow.

Motherwell: Long, Hammell, McManus, Lasley, O'Brien, Law, Erwin, Johnson, Grant, Pearson, McDonald Motherwell subs: Twardzik, Ramsden, Ainsworth, Sutton, Moore, D. Thomas, Straker

http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2015/04/28/post-split-ticket-offer-3-for-2/

At least season ticket holders will get in for free! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3058271/Motherwell-plan-offer-season-ticket-holders-free-entry-end-play-offs-despite-SPFL-gate-fees-rule.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Motherwell FC @MotherwellFC · 4h4 hours ago 'Well fans should note that tickets for tonight's game at NDP will be on sale up until 3pm at the Fir Park Ticket Office (£22/£10) 1/2 Motherwell FC @MotherwellFC · 4h4 hours ago Any unsold tickets will then go across to Accies who will sell on the gate tonight. Well fans buying at turnstiles enter via Gates 7, 8 & 9.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32436835

Maybe one of the exiles (or Bucs) can help with this. I'm going on holiday next week and quite fancied watching the Motherwell v St Mirren game. I'll have my tablet with me, but I believe that BT Sport restricts access to UK only IP addresses. So is there a (free) way I can connect via a VPN to trick it into thinking I have a UK IP address?

Ramsden still suspended I think.

Just listened to the podcast. Why all the secrecy surrounding the length of Baraclough's contract?

Noticed this on SPLstats Twitter:

No podcast last night?

Dom.

From yesterday's Herald http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/state-of-scottish-football-part-iii.119928972?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Scottish+Sports+News State of Scottish Football: Part III Gary Keown Wednesday 4 March 2015ALAN BURROWS is the general manager of Motherwell. Summer football is the only way to improve the image of the SPFL in the eyes of broadcasters, believes Alan Burrows. Picture: SNSHaving served seven years as the club's media and marketing officer, he is now operating at the head of a business that is struggling to pull supporters through the door despite having been through one of the most successful spells in its history. As part of Herald Sport's series on the state of Scottish football, he has provided an insider's view on trading in the present environment and detailed his belief that summer football can prove our salvation by earning a better TV deal and making the product more attractive to supporters. He also suggests that the game must be open to participating in revolutionary new ways of broadcasting football and forget about even attempting to rival bigger and more heavily-financed leagues. Motherwell's place on the influential European Club Association does not offer him any evidence that an escape route to England is going to open up for our leading clubs any time soon. The regeneration of the Scottish game, in his eyes, must come from within. IS SCOTTISH FOOTBALL DOING ENOUGH TO OPEN ITSELF UP TO NEW IDEAS AND ATTRACT FRESH INVESTMENT AND INTEREST? As a result of what happened with Rangers and the downturn it brought, clubs got themselves into the trenches in terms of their mentality. They were just thinking about how to stay afloat rather than attract new people. I admit that it had started to exist at Motherwell before our new owner, Les Hutchinson, came in to lift the burden. As a whole, though, we do not promote and market the game enough. Sometimes, it even comes down to the Scottish psyche. We don't beat the drum about ourselves as much as we maybe should. MOTHERWELL HAVE PUSHED HARD TO BRING IN NEW FANS, THOUGH. IT SIMPLY HASN'T WORKED. IS THERE ANY WAY TO MAKE SCOTTISH FOOTBALL A MORE MARKETABLE PROPOSITION? Last term, we finished second with a record points total and record victories and found ourselves over 1000 spectators down from the season when Maurice Malpas was the manager and we stayed up on the last day. Motherwell is a great case study, actually. Since 2006-07, we have been in the Top Six every season bar one and have been in Europe for six of those seasons as well as reaching cup finals. This will go down as a golden era, but attendances have dropped. I think it less to do with our individual club and more to do with the general malaise around the game. Peter Lawwell of Celtic said at a recent meeting of the European Club Association that we are managing decline here. It is effectively what we have been doing for six or seven years, but I still believe Scottish football can be saved. It just needs a gamechanger. It needs something really big to happen to alter attitudes and show it is not the same thing it was before. You can repackage things all you like and put new logos on them, but the public will not be fooled. For me, summer football would be the biggest gamechanger of all. If we want to move it in a different direction, we should go to a summer calendar. It allows you to market the game as a totally different proposition. For three or four months of the year, you are not competing with the Barclays Premier League. Television companies would have competitive football to fill their schedules from May to August. We cannot maintain the stubborn, traditional approach that we must play through the winter. We need to adapt and change. We know what the weather is like here. If it is blowing a gale and the temperature is minus two, people might not fancy paying £20 to sit outside for a couple of hours. There are so many other things they could now be doing. Put it this way. If you were starting football as a new sport now, when would you play it? Naturally, it would be through the summer. TELEVISION COMPANIES ARE UNDERSTOOD TO BE OPEN TO THE IDEA OF A SUMMER LEAGUE AND MIGHT ACTUALLY PAY MORE FOR IT. WOULD SUMMER FOOTBALL REALLY IMPROVE ATTENDANCES, THOUGH? I think you could sell it to supporters as something new. You would certainly be able to enjoy the game in a different environment. People can come in their short sleeves, we can make a day of it. When I started as chief executive, I spoke about building up the Fan Experience and giving people extra value for money. We spoke about doing what St Mirren have started to do in terms of having a fan tent, games on, comedy, things for kids, beer. That is all great, but it is pointless when it is minus four outside and the wind is blowing the tent all over the place. No-one can give me a valid reason why we can't have summer football.. The holidays people take throughout the year have changed. The Glasgow Fair, for example, has gone. People bring up the international calendar for World Cups. Sadly, we are at a stage where we don't qualify for those while countries who do play through the summer do still get there. Scottish teams should focus on making it to the Champions League and Europa League group stages. Doesn't it improve your chances if you are in mid-season when the qualifiers come up rather than working your way through pre-season? CHARLES BARNETT OF BDO, A LEADING ACCOUNTANCY FIRM, STATED THAT SCOTTISH FOOTBALL'S £15M-A-YEAR TV DEAL IS MUCH LESS THAN IT SHOULD BE. DO WE HAVE TO STRIKE A HARDER BARGAIN WITH TV COMPANIES NO MATTER THE DATES DURING WHICH THE SEASON IS PLAYED? Yes. We are not in a position to demand big bucks from broadcast partners, but I think there has to be more leverage from the centre and a real attempt to increase the value of the broadcast deal. I think we have to look at how we entice these companies through the way we use our product. Our broadcast partners are already flush with high-quality football. They have Champions League, Barclays Premier League, Bundesliga, Primera Liga in Spain. Sadly, we are never going to be able to compete in terms of quality of football, so how can we think outside the box and sell it on something else? Can it be sold on the increased access the companies get to the players? Should it be based on working out ways to increase crowds so that the grounds look full and there is an atmosphere? Germany have tried to do that. I think that is a better way to do it than going to broadcasters almost like some kind of charity case and saying: 'Come on, guys, we are worth more. Give us more.' If I was an executive with Sky or BT, I would ask why. We should seek to avoid being offered 'take it or leave it' ultimatums. We should be doing everything we can to work with broadcast partners and make them feel that they really do get a different level of access and feel they are important when they come to cover a Scottish game. We need to bring fans on board and do things differently in that regard as well. We should make the likes of Sky and BT feel they are stakeholders in the game rather than just a broadcast partner. Look at the things that have worked well on Sky. Darts was on its backside as a sport, but the PDC competitions are now selling out crowds everywhere and getting good viewing figures. You have the Pro12 League in rugby. There are sports that have gone to broadcasts partners with an open book and said: 'What do you want? How do you want to do this?' That is maybe something we should look at. Can we give them things that English Premier League clubs won't give them. I am just throwing ideas around, but that might be access to managers during games, increased tunnel cams, miking up people, maybe putting cameras on the referee. You watch NFL and guys are miked-up, there are interviews being done in the locker-room. It is Access All Areas. You don't see that kind of thing from our sport often and maybe the broadcasters don't want it from football, but Scottish games are up against maybe Chelsea v Manchester United, Barcelona v Valencia and Bayern v Dortmund on any given day. Our games are effectively the garnish on the main course. We must accept and acknowledge that, but we must maximise it and it involves being more organised in the access levels we give to all media. Perhaps being an 'Access All Areas' footballing product would make us unique if that is what the companies want. Motherwell have played in UEFA competition in six of the last seven years. We are given a very chunky media document which tells us what we will do and when we will do it. UEFA have seen the benefit of creating the best platform for viewers and broadcasters and forcing up standards. I believe, in Scotland, we need to have these issues of media access level put into statute. We need new rules. CAN YOU SELL THE SCOTTISH GAME BASED ON THE PLAYERS AND PERSONALITIES INVOLVED? Absolutely. The players are such a marketable asset. Kids love to see heroes such as Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo on TV, but I think we forget that children here are like that with our own players. I felt that way about Motherwell players when I was young. I didn't need Messi or Ronaldo. SHOULD TV COMPANIES BE ALLOWED TO NAME THEIR KICK-OFF TIMES IF THEY PAY THE MONEY? In the race for broadcast television money, it is easy to forget that fans are an intrinsic part of the game. They make it a great, live entertainment sport, but let us not overlook the fact they are an income stream. Our supporters bring in a huge amount of Motherwell's overall turnover, almost as high as broadcast, so it doesn't need to be one without the other. Germany has games kicking off at different times, but they still pack out the grounds. It can be done. It is all about compromise. Everyone has to feel like a stakeholder in the game. Everybody won't get what they want. Maybe we still will have to go to Aberdeen on a Friday night, but would supporters be more open to that if they knew we were getting more money pumped in that would allow us to buy better players and raise the standard of the league again? We should not chase England and Germany, though. We are never going to be that. We won't get close to the money they bring in and part of that is because we are a small country. We need to find our own way. MOTHERWELL ARE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN CLUB ASSOCIATION ALONG WITH CELTIC AND ABERDEEN. IS TALK OF UEFA ALLOWING CROSS-BORDER LEAGUES A PIPE DREAM? We discussed it at our last meeting in Glasgow. The mood I detected is that there is little interest. Clubs from smaller leagues want to get into bigger leagues. The question is: What is in that for the clubs in those bigger leagues? They have a great product anyway. I cannot see UEFA sanctioning inter-divisional leagues in the foreseeable future. There may be a future for some inter-divisional cup competitions. I would rather focus on what we can do, here and now, to improve our own game in Scotland, though. We need to make sure what we are doing at a national, domestic level is the best it can be. HOW DO WE CLOSE THE GAP THAT EXISTS BETWEEN OURSELVES AND ENGLISH FOOTBALL? There are three of four leagues around the world that are growing at a far more rapid rate than any other. It is a by-product of football becoming truly globalised and it means that leagues in Scotland, Scandinavia, Ireland and other countries are never going to be able to compete with that. It is an impossibility. We just need to take ourselves away from that direct competition and ask how we can reposition ourselves within that global framework in the best possible way. IS FAN OWNERSHIP PART OF MAKING THE GAME MORE VIBRANT AND MARKETABLE IN THE SHORT-TERM? You don't need to be fan-owned to have all the right things in place. Where we are, having set up the Well Society, we feel it is the best way forward for us, but it might not suit everyone. Fan participation and fan engagement, though, is something that all clubs would be advised to look at. The premise of the German model is based on making the supporters feel they are a part of it and giving them a product they want to watch. We are never going to be Germany. We don't have the population, for a start, but we could look to adopt parts of what they do on a smaller scale. The majority of their clubs are fan-owned and I am not saying we should go that far, but we need fans to feel part of their club whether that is through fans on the board or fan liaison groups. Clubs cannot continue to think that fans will dance to any tune they play. Supporters must be listened to.

Anyone but Straker?