December


Saturday 1st December 1934

An exhilarating performance from Motherwell saw them record a 9-3 win over Dunfermline at Fir Park. Willie McFadyen scored four, George Stevenson netted a hat trick and Duncan Ogilvie and John McMenemy got one each.

Wednesday 3rd December 1997

It was reported in the press that the club were giving up on foreign trialists coming to Fir Park due to the expense involved, the costs of airfares from Europe and Africa are expected to cost the club around £50,000 by the end of the campaign. It was only Frenchman Eric Garcin and Namibian Eliphas Shivute that have won deals using this method. Manager Alex McLeish stated that they will do more research in future before bringing players over so it’s the better ones they look at.

Tuesday 4th December 1934

Manager, John Hunter reported to the Board that he was successful in his pursuit in signing former Celtic winger Bertie Thomson, a £550 transfer fee was paid to his current club Blackpool.

Additionally St Mirren want to take Willie Dowall on loan for the remainder of the season. This deal was concluded a short time later.

Tuesday 4th December 1945

John Hunter reported to the board that Bob Ferrier the manager of Ayr United was interested in securing the services of ‘Well forward George Gillan and that he was prepared to submit an offer of £750 for the transfer. The Board decided to accept the offer.

Friday 4th December 1998

Terrible news filtered out of Fir Park as youth team member Andy Thomson passed away due to a heart complaint. The teenager had celebrated his 19th birthday on Thursday, he had taken ill at a friends house. Motherwell were due to face Dundee at Fir Park the following day but as a mark of respect for the youngster the game was postponed.

Wednesday 4th December 2002

The side had gone on a run of eleven games without a victory, only one draw had been achieved in that time with a point being obtained against Dundee, the fixture on this date saw Motherwell face a high flying Hearts side so it was more or less expected the run would carry on. However the side put on a stunning clinic running riot and by half time were 4-0 up through goals from Pearson, Adams and a McFadden double. The visitors best chance actually came from ‘Well defender David Partridge who tried to intercept a cross at the edge of the box, his clearance rocketed off the crossbar and came back into play. The Jambo’s pulled one back in the second half but two other goals from Martyn Corrigan and Stevie Ferguson rounded off a remarkable 6-1 win.

Tuesday 5th December 1995

Newspaper reports state that Hearts manager Jim Jefferies is eager to sign midfielder Jamie Dolan, the Jambo’s have failed in a bid earlier in the season as they offered a swap deal with Brian Hamilton potentially heading to Fir Park in exchange but this was knocked back. A fresh bid is expected from the Edinburgh outfit.

Tuesday 6th December 1977

Despite getting off to a decent start to the season with wins over Celtic and Partick Thistle and a draw versus Hibernian, the side would go on a long poor run between September to December where only two wins were recorded in the Premier League as the side found themselves in a relegation battle. On this day, manager Willie McLean tendered his resignation after falling to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Assistant manager John Hagart would take over in a caretaker role in the meantime.

Saturday 7th December 1996

In an exciting game at Fir Park, Motherwell beat Celtic 2-1. The side took the lead via Billy Davies 6 minutes before half time, things took a turn for the worst when goalkeeper Scott Howie was injured just after the hour mark and had to go off, midfielder Jamie Dolan took his place in between the sticks and coped well for 20 minutes as Celtic laid siege to the ‘Well goal, a slack back pass to Dolan was met by a Celtic attacker, despite the stand in keeper saving with his feet, Chris Hay managed to equalise on the 83rd minute as the ball landed nicely in front go him. However, more drama was to unfold as youngster Ian Ross managed to seal the victory for the Steelmen when he prodded home from close range on the 89th min after keeper Stewart Kerr spilled a shot along his goalmouth.

Saturday 8th December 1984

The club agree a deal with local car dealership Ian Skelly earlier in the week who will now be the new shirt sponsors, they first appeared on the sides kit in a 1-1 home draw versus Airdrieonians. The partnership would remain until the end of the 1990/91 season with the last game being the famous 1991 Scottish Cup Final where Motherwell beat Dundee United 4-3.

Tuesday 9th December 1958

The Board state they received a cheque for £2,000 from St Mirren for the transfer of Gerry Baker.

Saturday 10th December 1927

Promoter Mr E. Alcaraz informs the club that 11 games are to be played on a South American Tour at the end of the season, it is expected that the total sum received will be around £12,800 and after all expenses have been paid the club should make a £5,000 profit with the Promoter receiving £2,000 for his services.

Saturday 10th December 1949

In front of 29,000+ fans at Fir Park, Motherwell record a fantastic result against Rangers winning 4-0. The home side were cruising in the first half as goals from Archie Kelly (2) and Willie McCall had the side three goals to the good. Jimmy Watson would deliver the killer blow on the 67th minute. ‘Well side – Hamilton, Kilmarnock, Higgins, McLeod, Paton, Redpath, McCall, Watson, Kelly, Bremner and Aitkenhead.

Saturday 10th December 2005

On their first visit to The Falkirk Stadium, a Jim Hamilton header is enough to secure all three points for Motherwell in a 1-0 win over the Bairn’s. This was the first competitive match between the sides since March 1996.

Friday 10th December 2010

Aberdeen made an approach from manager Craig Brown who rebuffed the initial offer on the 8th but after a heart to heart with his assistant Archie Knox he would change his mind and take over the reigns at Pittodrie. In less than a year at Fir Park he managed to fix the turmoil Jim Gannon had created at the end of his spell and helped the side finish in the top six of the SPL. Brown also enjoyed a decent run in Europe and got the side to the Semi Final stages of the League Cup before his departure. It was the manner of his exit that upset the majority of ‘Well fans.

Tuesday 12th December 1978

The club end the search for a new manager as former Scotland boss Ally McLeod takes the role after his departure from Ayr United.

Tuesday 12th December 1995

Riffi Haddaoui played a trial match for the reserves. The Danish striker had actually arrived in Scotland from B.93 to go on trial with Airdrieonians, despite impressing with the Diamonds he couldn’t agree terms on a contract. If Motherwell decided to sign him they will be required to pay a £100,000 transfer fee.

Tuesday 13th December 1910

The club receive a letter from the Scottish Football League which stated that goalkeepers must now wear a different coloured shirt from the rest of the side.

Saturday 13th December 1997

Veteran defender Rob Newman had arrived at the club on loan only days earlier and was pitched straight into the ‘Well starting eleven on what was his 34th birthday to face Dundee United at Fir Park, the side ran out 1-0 winners which ended a disastrous home run in the league as the side had failed to win a Premier Division fixture in eight months at Fir Park. Prior to this Raith Rovers had been the last side to be defeated at home when the side romped to a 5-0 win back on the 12th April.

Saturday 13th December 2014

The club named Ian Baraclough as the new manager replacing Stuart McCall who had resigned from the post earlier in the month, he had impressed the Board by his vision and plans for both on and off the field. As a player he served Leicester City, Wigan Athletic, Queens Park Rangers and Scunthorpe United. In his only management role he led Sligo Rovers through now of their most success periods.

Additionally, on the day of his appointment he sat in the stands and watched Motherwell take on Ross County which was a 2-2 draw. He will take charge of his first game against St Mirren on the 20th December.

Thursday 14th December 1995

The Motherwell Times report that the club are eager to sign out of favour Celtic forward Willie Falconer, Alex McLeish had initially been interested in Oldham Athletic’s Darren Beckford but all interest on that front has been dropped as he turned his attention to Falconer.

Saturday 15th December 1906

The side record their first competitive win over Rangers at Ibrox thanks to a goal from Willie Reid in a 1-0 victory.

Tuesday 16th December 1952

The Board discussed the issue of floodlighting after the question had been brought forward, the Board decided that it would make the relevant enquires and revisit the matter in future.

Tuesday 17th December 1996

Manager, Alex McLeish had enjoyed spending excess of £2 million in transfer fees in his early stint as manager. Times were now tough as the squad was assembled by bargain basement buys or freebies, he had English striker Lee Power on his radar but had to give up on the transfer as it would have taken the club into the red as a signing on fee was required. The player ended up joining First Division side Dundee.

Monday 18th December 1995

The club has shown interest in signing Dundee United striker Owen Coyle, the Tannadice outfit have already rebuffed numerous attempts as the side try to add additional fire power to their strike force.

Monday 20th December 1999

Midfielder Rob Matthaei launched an astonishing attack in the Dutch press under the headline ‘I’d have hit Davies if I was younger’, Rob claims that Davies refuses to pick him for the first team because he used to keep him out the side when they were both on the playing squad. Matthaei also stated that he likes living in the country and would be happy to move to another club in Scotland. He wouldn’t play for the club again after this outburst.

Saturday 20th December 2014

Ian Baraclough takes charge of his first game as Motherwell travel through to Paisley to face St Mirren. A goal from John Sutton was enough to secure the three points for the Steelmen in a 1-0 win.

Youngster Dom Thomas finally makes his first team debut against St Mirren after appearing on the bench on numerous occasions.

Thursday 22nd December 1977

After the departure of manager Willie McLean, the Motherwell Board offered the vacant manager position to Roger Hynd.

Friday 23rd December 1955

A special meeting is held in Glasgow by the Scottish Football League where the sole aim was to gather club’s thoughts on the matter of competitive football using floodlights within grounds.

Friday 24th December 2021

Not an ideal Christmas present as rumours start to surface that the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer Tony Watt has agreed a pre contract agreement with league rivals Dundee United. He is left out of the starting lineup for the Boxing Day win over Livingston where he received a frosty reception from the 500 fans in attendance.

Thursday 25th December 1930

A bit of a historic occasion, albeit it wasn’t known at the time. The team selected to play Partick Thistle on Christmas Day was as follows – McClory, Johnman, Hunter, Wales, Craig, Telfer, Murdoch, McMenemy, McFadyen, Stevenson and Ferrier. It was the first time that the great forward line would play a match together. They proved to be in fine fettle as they secured a 3-0 win at Firhill.

Thursday 26th December 2002

Live on the BBC, Motherwell defeat Rangers 1-0 at Fir Park in front of 11,234 fans, thanks to a goal from James McFadden. A special mention to goalkeeper François Dubourdeau who played a massive part in the side securing all three points.

Wednesday 26th December 2012

The side put in a dominant performance as they beat Aberdeen 4-1 at home thanks to goals from Tom Hateley, Michael Higdon and a double from Jamie Murphy. Murphy missed out on his chance to nab a hat trick as Dons keeper Jamie Langfield saved his spot kick.

Sunday 26th December 2021

As the new Covid variant Omicron appeared in the UK in December, with cases rises significantly again the decision was taken to limit the numbers of spectators who could attend football matches, in Scotland it was reduced to only 500 people with the club having to do a ballot for the season ticket holders who wanted to attend the Boxing Day fixture against Livingston. Approximately 1,500 applied, those in attendance all sat in the John Hunter Stand and got to witness a marvellous free kick from Kevin Van Veen who also notched a second later in the game as the side recorded a 2-1 win. The winter break was also brought forward so this was the last fixture to played until the 18th January 2022, thankfully by this time fans were allowed to return.

Tuesday 27th December 1921

John Hunter reported to the Board that he had been successful in signing up Third Lanark’s Russell Allan for a fee of £680.

Tuesday 27th December 1955

Bobby Ancell reports that he was successful in his pursuit of Pat Quinn and the player will join from Bridgeton Waverley. The player had been watched a few weeks prior and he impressed the clubs staff that had went along to see him in action.

Monday 28th December 2009

Former Scotland and Preston North End manager Craig Brown takes over the managers role after the dismissal of Jim Gannon, Brown will be assisted by Archie Knox.

Tuesday 29th December 1936

The manager John Hunter reported to the Board that he was successful in signing John McCulloch from Clyde for a fee of £2,250.

Thursday 30th December 1948

The club add two new additions to the playing squad, Willie McCall arrives from Newcastle United at a cost of £5,500. Johnny Aitkenhead arrives from Hibernian with £5,400 heading to Easter Road.

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