Kmcalpin

Its more than likely that there are old coal workings under Fir Park, and indeed under much of Motherwell and Wishaw. Many will be unrecorded or not mapped so its a known unknown. Shallow workings are a particular problem and can cause instability or subsidence. If there are any under a site, they can be grouted with cement but that depends on sub surface conditions. In extreme circumtances they can be opencasted. Whilst technically possible they may not be desirable however. Many of you will be familiar with the small opencast site next to St James Park in Newcastle. That was worked to enable development to take place. If as seems likely we pay off our debt in the near future, I think the windfall should be split between the Academy, which is serving us very well; improving the quality, not the quantity, of the first team squad and perhaps giving the fans something back in the form of improved facilities, if thats possible. There will be no shortage of avenues for any cash.

Nicky Devlin signs for Livingston.

I received mine yesterday so its almost certain, as you say Iain, that the emails have been posted over an extended period. If anyone hasn't been receiving them get in contact with the Society as there could be various reasons for that. wellsociety@motherwellfc.co.uk

No problem. Issue 1 is access. As far as I can tell the eastern boundary of the stand abuts the western boundary of Knowetop Primary School (and astroturf pitch) in other words its totally constrained. As it is access can only be gained from Knowetop Avenue although in theory (police agreement permitting) it could be taken from the South stand end although I doubt that would be deemed "desirable". Issue 2: I suppose that the structure could be moved slightly westwards by, as you say, sacrificing 2 rows of seats, and maybe increasing the overall height and therefore the angle of slope. That could cause problems with the school though in terms of sunlight. As OTF mentioned (presumably in relation to the Huinter Stand, but maybe also in relation to the POD Stand) there could be technical problems. There could also be technical issues with old and shallow coal workings underground - less likely in terms of the POD Stand because of its existing load.

According to Kieran Maguire, Barnsley's wages to tunover ratio in 2018 was 84.8%, in other words totally unsustainable. Hopefully circling vultures will get the message "Don't put in bids of less than £3m" loud and clear.

When does pre season training start?

I'd hope that a bit of cash would allow us to bring in some quality and solidity elsewhere in the squad to improve the overall standard.

Unfortunately a major rebuild of the John Hunter Stand due to its shape and land ownership wouldn't be possible. Some improvements yes. Phil O'Donnell Stand needs demolition and rebuild.

Record article is very much written from a Celtic perspective which is exactly what we'd expect anyway. As you say the more clubs involved the better.

Have other clubs also asked us to keep them in the loop too?

Your figures are accurate. I think the "uncertainties" relate to transfer income etc after the financial year end. From John Boyle's debt we can deduct a furthter £70K according to the accounts, so that would then be updated to Les £995 and JB £140K making a total of £1.135m. Since then we've picked up, reportedly, £750K from Kipre's fee and about £60K from Bowman's departure If we take 40% of that, this would reduce the outstanding debt to about £810K. If we now deduct 40% of monies received for Jake Hastie, Stuart McKinstry, that would amount to say a further £280K reducing the debt to about £530K. Deduct say a further £150K through the Double Your Money offer to 31 May this year and that brings down the total to about £380K. Should Chris Cadden go for say £500K (an assumption I know) another £200K would be knocked off the debt leaving it at about £180K. Thats my best estimate. To keep the thread on track, I assume that Sloth will be a replacement for the allrounder Gorrin, but thats an assumption on my part .

Without knowing the up to date figures its hard to be precise but I'd say that once transfer and compensation fees from Cedric Kipre, Ryan Bowman, Stuart McKinstry, Jake Hastie and perhaps Chris Cadden, are taken into account the debt will be pretty much paid off. Any additional fees would go straight into the club's coffers.

100% agree Al. Thats the bottom line.

More like £100K up front with the rest to be paid in 10 installments!

As high as £1.2M? Really, I would have thought £400K.

Parr for the course you've taken the bait.

I picked up on this interesting article by Kieran Maguire from our brothers & sisters on Pie & Bovril. For 2017/18 (I'm not sure whether this is the for the season or reporting year) our wages:turnover ratio was a healthy 57% (70% is commonly taken as being the red line). Ross County's ratio was a whopping 87%, followed by Dundee on 78% and Rangers on 73%. By that measure we're faring very well. It has to be seen against a very successful season however with record turnover of £6.9m however. Hopefully this year we'll also record a profit. Interestingly neither St Johnstone nor Accies would divulge their turnover figures. Their turnover was assumed to be about £4m. Even more interestingly, Accies turnover was reported to be only £2.5m at the time of the bank scam!! https://pic.twitter.com/tzwCNeqScc - hopefully that link works. Healthy reading for us for the time being at least.

Not wishing to rake up old arguments here Jim but to fast forward on a wee bit . My point is that although the transfer window isn't even open yet the signings we're making suggest that Robbo is not intending to revert to a 3-5-2 formation but rather is intending to stick with more adventurous and attacking line ups. Signings such as Gallagher, Sloth, Polworth and now Hylton suggests that we will continue with a more attractive style of football. Also, Alan Burrows' recent comment that we're looking to acquire more strikers and wingers simply reinforces that view. I think we'd all be far happier to stick with a formation that produces more attractive football. Thats not to say we couldn't field a 3-5-2 formation if we had to. The signs are looking promising even this early.

I think he's been offered a short deal to assess whether he has recovered. Hopefully he has. He can play on the wing, as can Polworth, but neither are out and out wingers.

The draw for the groups will be made tomorrow. Once again we'll be first seeds, along with Accies, Livingston and St Mirren in the south section presumably.

Will you consider returning now?

I get the arguments on both sides (cash V supporter enjoyment) and from an unashamedly selfish point of view I'm behind the club in its decision. However those who advocate housing some OF fans in one of our 3 "home" stands usually suggest doing so in a stand where they don't sit. The club will take a modest financial hit but seems to be doing so for our own supporters. Hopefully a few more of our own lot will be encouraged to turn up at these games.

You're at it Iain. ;-)

Yes, an excellent move by the club and long overdue. We sit at the southern end of the POD Stand and have had to suffer in the past and I really feel for those at the northern end. Hopefully it'll encourage a few more Well fans to attend these games.

You're right. I mentioned David Devine because Maurice Ross mentioned that he thought the youngster would push on next season but maybe Barry Maguire is ahead of him in the pecking order, but the jury is still out on him. The club coaches and managers will know best but yes I agree we seem a bit light in central defence. Left back?