November


Saturday 1st November 1997

The club hadn’t been enjoying the best of seasons during the first half of the 1997/98 campaign as they toiled towards the bottom half of the table. As the side lined up to face St Johnstone rumours started circulating amongst the ‘Well faithful in attendance that a managerial change might be imminent as Alex McLeish wasn’t seen at the ground and was indeed missing from the dugout as his assistant took charge. As it transpired, Alex was at home suffering from the flu, while he was resting Motherwell crashed to a 4-3 defeat at McDiarmid Park.

Friday 1st November 2019

The club announce that they have repaid the debt to former owners John Boyle and Les Hutchison. Over £1.5 million has been repaid over time and this was a significant milestone for the club in their move towards long-term viability.

Tuesday 3rd November 1942

A young trialist by the name of Andy Paton received glowing reports at a Board meeting for his performance against Celtic ‘A’. It was decided that manager John Hunter should make every attempt to sign the player.

Monday 3rd November 1997

Despite the squad suffering from a lack of fit defenders, the club opted to let Icelandic defender Gunni Jonsson leave the club after he failed to impress on trial. Perhaps conceding a penalty in both his appearances versus Aberdeen and St Johnstone was not the impression you want to make when you are trying to win a deal with a potential new club.

Wednesday 3rd November 1999

Assistant manager Jim Griffin is sacked by the club and immediately replaced by under-21 coach Miodrag Krivokapic. Jim had been with the club for 13 years and was part of the side that won the 1991 Scottish Cup. Griffin stated – “This has come as a complete surprise. I spoke to the chairman John Boyle and director Alisdair Barron, who said they wanted to restructure the coaching. They told me my services were no longer required and thanked me for the work I had done. If this is for the good of the club then so be it. I have had many years at the club and it’s a big disappointment. But I want to stay in the game.”

Thursday 4th November 1999

The Motherwell Times reports that the club have been granted permission to open a public bar within the Davie Cooper Stand, despite objections from Knowetop Primary School and local residents in the close proximity of Fir Park.

Thursday 5th November 1925

John ‘Sailor’ Hunter had obviously been making quite an impression in his role as manager as the Board decided that his wages would be increased to £9 per week.

Saturday 5th November 1983

As Motherwell drew 0-0 with St Mirren at Fir Park this would be the last game for manager Jock Wallace’s reign before he was appointed the new manager of Rangers. Surprisingly he hadn’t been enjoying a fruitful Premier League season as his only win had actually came against Rangers which ironically enough cost John Greig his job at Ibrox.

Friday 6th November 1942

Centre-half Andy Paton signs for the club.

Saturday 6th November 1986

Much to the annoyance of Rangers manager Graeme Souness, ‘Well managed to steal a 1-0 victory over Rangers at Ibrox thanks to a 87th minute diving header from midfielder Ray Farningham. Souness expressed his frustrations to the media due to Motherwell’s defensive approach, a tactic often deployed by Tommy McLean when his side went to Govan, the funny thing was Souness and his Rangers side would often adopt a similar style of play when they ventured into European matches.

Saturday 8th November 1947

Motherwell fall to a 1-2 defeat against Partick Thistle at Firhill. After the match as both sets of players partook in the traditional handshake, Jag’s Hugh Brown headbutted ‘Well’s Andy Paton. He was left badly shaken by the incident that he very rarely shook hands with the opposition following on from this match.

Saturday 9th November 1996

Alex McLeish was no stranger to dabbling in the transfer market and looking abroad for bargain basement signings. On this date a 24 year old midfielder from Madagascar called Alain Horace played for the reserve side as they were defeated 0-2 by Hibernian at Easter Road. On this occasion, McLeish stated he wouldn’t be pursuing his interest any further.

Friday 9th November 2001

Eric Black signs Frenchman Éric Deloumeaux from Le Harve for a fee of £100,000. The player is comfortable playing in defence or midfield. 

Tuesday 10th November 1942

Having just signed for the club on Friday past, the Board discuss the signing of Andy Paton. It is agreed to forward on a donation of £3.3/- to a James Richmond who brought the attention of club officials to the player. Furthermore it is discussed that if J. Reid isn’t available for the clubs match versus Queen’s Park on Saturday that Andy should take the role of centre forward in his place.

Sunday 10th November 2019

21 year old midfielder Allan Campbell makes it a century of appearances when the side head through to Parkhead to face Celtic, the side would fall to a 2-0 defeat.

Tuesday 12th November 1935

The Board discussed the matter of William Rodger who had entered a Nursing Home as he had to go through an operation to remove his appendix. Unlike Willie Telfer who has also been out due to needing surgery and receiving a wage the Board decided to stop payment to Mr Rodgers in the meantime.

Tuesday 13th November 1945

Having received a letter from St Mirren on the 30th July stating the player was not for sale, the Motherwell Board after much deliberation decided to make an offer for their centre forward, Alec Linwood. The transfer wouldn’t materialise as he would eventually move to English club Middlesbrough.

Friday 15th November 1996

It was reported that Motherwell had taken Paul Kane, former Hibernian and Aberdeen midfielder on trial and was registered for three upcoming games. He was currently on the books plying his trade with Norwegian outfit Viking Stavanger, he wouldn’t appear for the first team and the move fizzled out.

Monday 15th November 2020

Stephen O’Donnell earns his 24th cap for Scotland as the side pull off a tremendous 2-0 win over Denmark at Hampden in the World Cup qualifiers, this cap was his 13th in Motherwell colours meaning he broke the record of George Stevenson who was the clubs most capped Scottish player, a record which had stood for 87 years.

Friday 16th November 1956

Long serving full back and former captain Willie Kilmarnock is sold to Lanarkshire rivals Airdrieonians for £1,000.

Tuesday 16th November 2010

Steven Saunders wins his first full international cap for Scotland in a 3-0 win over the Faroe Islands at Pittodrie Stadium. The talented young defender came on as a substitute on the 71st minute.

Saturday 16th November 2019

Declan Gallagher makes his Scotland debut in a European Qualifier away to Cyprus in a 2-1 win.

Saturday 17th November 1962

As the side fell to a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Aberdeen at Fir Park it was the end of an era in a sense as favourite Pat Quinn would play his last game in claret and amber before moving onto Blackpool. However a new forward by the name of Joe McBride would make his debut.

Wednesday 17th November 2004

Left back Steven Hammell makes his international debut for Scotland, he came on as a second half substitute as the Scots crashed to a 1-4 defeat at the hands of Sweden in a friendly at Easter Road. Hammell would be called up in future but he wouldn’t gain another full international cap. He did however win a handful of Scotland B caps which he picked up in 2006 and 2009.

Monday 18th November 1996

Finnish midfielder Joni Lehtonen signs a permanent contract with the club after arriving from Iives Tampere. He originally was on a trial basis with the hope of winning a contract. The 23 year old has been capped by Finland at Under 21 level. He had made his debut a few days earlier against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Tuesday 19th November 1929

At a Board meeting, consideration was given to a question about accepting offers for advertising around the cement wall inside Fir Park. After the discussion it was decided not to allow advertising within the ground. It would be many decades later before it would appear.

Wednesday 19th November 1947

The SFA’s Referee Committee met to deal with the incident involving Andy Paton and Hugh Brown (Partick Thistle) after the incident at full time from the match played on 8th November where Brown head butted Paton.

Saturday 23rd November 1996

Motherwell traveled to England to face Northern League Division Two side Peterlee Newton. In front go a crowd that barely reached triple figures, a strong ‘Well side ran out 8-0 winners.

Saturday 23rd November 2019

Motherwell host their inaugural Hall of Fame event at the Bothwell Bridge Hotel as the quintet of George Stevenson, Willie Pettigrew, James McFadden, Ally Maxwell and Phil O’Donnell become the first inductees.

Monday 24th November 1913

Defender, William Loney was brought before the Board to explain why he had been absent from training all week without permission. He explained that he was so upset by the sides 5-0 demolition by Clyde at Shawfield that he had been very foolish and he been the worse of liquor for three days. He asked the Board for another chance which was given.

Monday 24th November 1997

It was reported in the press that Motherwell decided against offering contracts to both Argentinian Victor Hugo Curveino and Finn Marco Tuomela after their trial periods came to an end. Tuomela was actually an unused substitute in the fine 2-0 win over Celtic at Parkhead on the 15th November. As it transpired, Marco was still under contract so a transfer fee would have been expected if he were to sign on at Fir Park.

Saturday 24th November 2007

Motherwell traveled to Ayrshire to take on Kilmarnock. The side recorded a 1-0 win with Phil O’Donnell netting on the 46th minute. This was his last goal for the club as he passed away in tragic circumstances just over a month later.

Saturday 26th November 1892

Despite Motherwell easily dispatching Campsie from the Scottish Cup as the side recorded a 9-2 victory, the opponents made a protest about the state of the Dalziel Park pitch which resulted in the match being replayed. Thankfully the side won the re-arranged fixture on the 17th December 6-4 to progress into the next round.

Saturday 26th November 1983

Former player Bobby Watson returned to the club but this time he is appointed manager taking over from Jock Wallace who left earlier in the month to return to Rangers, Bobby had previously been manager with Airdrieonians. On this date the side took on Hibernian in his first match in charge but they failed to get that new manager bounce as they were beaten 1-2.

Tuesday 27th November 1956

Manager, Bobby Ancell reported that he was successful in signing Sammy Reid who was on the books at Douglas Water Thistle.

Wednesday 27th November 1996

Young forward, Lee McCulloch would suffer an injury set back as he broke his arm in training.

Tuesday 29th November 1966

Stoke City were interested in ‘Well manager Bobby Howitt, after their approach club officials were quick off the mark to offer Bobby a new five year deal to which he accepted.

Tuesday 29th November 1938

Manager, John Hunter reports that one player has signed while one has left. Daniel Wood arrived from St Mirren for a fee of £250 whereas forward Alex Stewart departs the club to sign for Falkirk for a fee of £900.

Tuesday 30th November 1937

Manager, John Hunter reported to the Board that he had been successful in signing Archibald Hastie from English side Huddersfield Town for a fee of £2,050. A sizeable transfer fee at the time, he would make little impact at Fir Park.

Saturday 30th November 2013

Motherwell faltered at the first attempt in the Scottish Cup. The draw brought out a Lanarkshire Derby that is quite rare as Albion Rovers would face Motherwell, the first competitive meeting between the sides since August 1987. The game was due to be played at Cliftonhill but it was changed to New Douglas Park. Perhaps the worst result in the clubs history as the Wee Rovers netted on the 90th minute to secure a 1-0 win in what was a massive upset. This of course was the ‘Well’s first loss to Albion Rovers in competitive competition.

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