What A Difference A Year Makes

[twistandshout1983]

1 hour ago, mfc88 said:

The massive shift for me is the belief we can beat anyone we play, if we do what we set out to do. Mccall (i think ot was) reguarly used to come out with the phrase "we need to be at our best and they need to have an off day" with regards to old firm games, and with that attitude we are generally beaten before a ball is kicked. We just don't seem to have any fear nowadays.

In addition the bump in attendances is something i would never have expected. 8k vs st mirren on saturday, a year ago that would have been ~5k.

JBA's fresh approach, so far, has transformed our club. Massive credit to the decision makers who appointed him, and long may it continue.

Brilliant point,  I often remember McCall being very negative in his press conferences for big games, more so games against Rangers.  Remember a quote from him where he was basically asking the fans would we rather beat Rangers or Celtic if it meant we were 7th or 8th in the league. 

Terry Butcher and Mark McGhee I remember talking down our chances in some of those games as well, that was despite picking up some wins in big games too.  

There is a much more positive outlook at the club from those days ,  the attendances are also proof of this and long may it continue.

[joewarkfanclub]

15 minutes ago, twistandshout1983 said:

Brilliant point,  I often remember McCall being very negative in his press conferences for big games, more so games against Rangers.

It really is.

As a Motherwell fan, you never go into a game thinking we will definitely win. Years of condition will make that hard to shift.

But I have gone into every game this season thinking we had a good chance to win it.

We have held our own against Rangers, Hearts and Celtic. And even been the better team fir large chunks of every game.

[weeyin]

What I have really enjoyed is that before we kicked a competitive ball, JBA stated his intention was for us to play the same way against every team, home or away.

There were a number of doubters, but we laid down a marker in the opening league match against Rangers, and have not deviated from that philosophy since.

Gone are the days (for now) when we park the bus at Ibrox for 20% possession and hope we get one decent chance on a breakaway.

[Kmcalpin]

2 hours ago, joewarkfanclub said:

In relation to finances, what do we all think about naming rights for the stadium

I'm all for it Joe. What about the Upper Crust Stadium? Easy income.

[twistandshout1983]

Just  heard one of Martin O'Neil's press conference's when he described Motherwell as being one of the best teams in our league

Do not deny   in the past I could not be bothered listening to his interviews back in the day  lol,  he sounds like he knows it definetly  will not be easy

[joewarkfanclub]

1 hour ago, Kmcalpin said:

I'm all for it Joe. What about the Upper Crust Stadium? Easy income.

Mmm its a bit close to Killies "Theatre of Pies" dont you think? 😆😆😆

[weeyin]

30 minutes ago, twistandshout1983 said:

Just  heard one of Martin O'Neil's press conference's when he described Motherwell as being one of the best teams in our league

Do not deny   in the past I could not be bothered listening to his interviews back in the day  lol,  he sounds like he knows it definetly  will not be easy

I still don't really listen to his interviews, but I always enjoyed him as a pundit. Was never shy about shutting down any of the banal opinions from "experts" being presented as insightful.

[twistandshout1983]

Another great interview from Jens today, sounds very happy here

I definetly do not think we will be losing Jens any time this season no matter what the media tell you 

[David]

On 1/6/2026 at 7:25 AM, wellfan said:

’m not really sure who’s going to invest in a fan-owned club like Motherwell.

When people talk about “investors” in the context of clubs like Motherwell, it is important to be clear about what sort of investor is actually being discussed. The reality is that Motherwell does not appeal to most modern football investors, and that is not a criticism of the club. It is simply a reflection of economic reality.

The type of investor who might be drawn to Motherwell is usually motivated by values rather than financial return. These are typically people who are already financially secure and are interested in stewardship, legacy, and being associated with a proper football club with deep roots. They are not looking to double their money. What they want is a club that is well run, stable, and still standing decades from now. The attraction lies in authenticity, community, and involvement in something that genuinely matters at a local level.

They also tend to be patient and knowledgeable about football. They understand the constraints of Scottish football and accept that relegation risk is part of the landscape. They recognise the need to keep wages under control and know that chasing ambition without the resources to support it usually ends badly. These investors are not imagining regular European qualification or Premier League style valuations. Their focus is on sustainability, sensible player trading, and maintaining competitiveness without putting the club’s future at risk.

Where Motherwell can make sense is through minority or carefully structured investment. This suits investors who do not require full control, who are comfortable with influence rather than ownership, and who prioritise protections over power. That approach aligns far better with a fan ownership model than someone arriving with the intention of running everything themselves.

So why do most investors avoid clubs like Motherwell?

Firstly, there is no obvious growth narrative. There is no major upside from television deals, no vast global fanbase waiting to be monetised, and no realistic path to becoming a regular presence in European competition. For investors focused on scale and rapid growth, Motherwell appears constrained from the outset.

Secondly, the downside risk is severe. Relegation would significantly damage revenues and confidence, and a swift recovery is never guaranteed. From an investment perspective, this often looks like limited upside paired with substantial downside, which is enough to put many people off immediately.

Thirdly, revenues have a clear ceiling. Matchday income, sponsorship, and broadcasting all have hard limits that even excellent management cannot fundamentally change. You can run the club better, but you cannot transform it into something it is not.

Governance is another concern. Fan involvement brings many positives, but investors often worry about slower decision making, internal politics, and blurred lines of authority. Most investors prefer clean structures and the ability to make decisions quickly. By its nature, Motherwell does not operate in that way.

Finally, exit options are unclear. Most investors want a clear sense of how they might eventually realise their investment. With clubs like Motherwell, there is rarely a straightforward answer. There is no obvious queue of buyers, no flotation on the horizon, and no guaranteed uplift in valuation.

The honest position is this. Motherwell is not for those chasing big returns. It suits realistic, patient people who care about stability, community, and preserving a real football club that can remain competitive over the long term.

If the club is ever presented as something it is not, investors will spot that immediately. But if it is open and honest about what it is, there will always be people willing to get involved. They just will not be the ones you see featured in Netflix documentaries.

[fizoxy]

On 1/7/2026 at 3:08 PM, Kmcalpin said:

I'm all for it Joe. What about the Upper Crust Stadium? Easy income.

Yep, its free money, its not as if the fans are going to call it anything other than Fir Park. 

[weeyin]

2 hours ago, fizoxy said:

Yep, its free money, its not as if the fans are going to call it anything other than Fir Park. 

Which is probably why nobody is rushing to buy the naming rights.