October


Monday 2nd October 1933

The Board meeting on this date a letter is read which was received from the SFA which states John McMenemey, Willie McFadyen and Johnny Blair have all been selected to play in the upcoming Scotland vs Wales match in Cardiff. Jimmy Crapnell has been placed on reserve to travel. Ben Ellis has also been selected to play in the game for Wales.

Saturday 3rd October 1998

Motherwell fall to a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Celtic at Fir Park, this would be the last competitive match for Finnish manager Harri Kampman who would resign from the managers post shortly after the side traveled to the Netherlands to play Utrecht in a friendly.

Recent signing, Derek Adams scored his first goal for the club in the match versus Celtic, a 90th minute consolation.

Sunday 3rd October 2004

Young forward Darren Smith makes a bit of history when he makes his debut against Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Pittodrie, he was 16 years, 6 months and 7 days old meaning he beat Tommy Coakley’s record to become the youngest player to represent the first team.

Saturday 6th October 2012

The match versus Dundee United is abandoned minutes before kick off. A major power cut in the area affected Fir Park, despite it being a bright but chilly October day, no lighting within the stands meant it wasn’t safe for the fans in attendance as the generator only produced enough power to safely evacuate the stadium. However club officials stated that if the power cut had occurred during the match they would have happily proceeded with the match. Fans who attended were given a voucher for the return fixture.

Saturday 7th October 1950

Motherwell met Ayr United in an enthralling League Cup Semi Final at Hampden Park, ’Well managed to win the tie 4-3 thanks to goals from Aitkenhead (2) and Watson (2). They will meet Hibernian in the Final on the 28th October.

Monday 8th October 1928

The board agree to amendments to the team kit, changes to the jerseys will be to make them bright amber in colour with the cuffs and collars to be claret.

Saturday 8th October 1988

The side draw 2-2 with Hearts at Tynecastle thanks to goals from Ray Farningham and Craig Paterson. A special mention though goes to Stevie Kirk who had to deputise in goals for Cammy Duncan who went of injured. Kirkie saved a penalty from Hearts player Wayne Foster which certainly went a long way in helping the side pick up a point.

Friday 8th October 1999

Airdrieonians finally moved into a new home in 1998 when the development of the Shyberry Excelsior Stadium was completed. On this date the side traveled over to the new ground to play their Lanarkshire counterparts in a game that would mark the official opening of the ground. Thanks to goals from Derek Townsley and Stephen Halliday, Motherwell secured a 2-0 win.

Saturday 11th October 1958

The side record a fine win over Third Lanark at Fir Park winning 8-1. Goals came from Weir (2), St John (2), Quinn (2), Aitken and S. Reid.

Wednesday 11th October 1972

Tom Forsyth departs the club and heads to Govan to join Rangers. Only four days later he lined up for Gers as they beat Motherwell 0-2 at Fir Park.

Sunday 11th October 1981

American side San Jose Earthquakes came to Fir Park to play a friendly which saw former Manchester United star George Best play a half for each side. The home side ran out 5-2 winners.

Friday 11th October 1996

Motherwell chairman John Chapman announced that he intends to sell his 51% shareholding in the club and retire from all business interests. The 64 year old, has been a Motherwell board member since 1981 and was appointed the chairman in 1987.

Saturday 13th October 1962

The Motherwell match day programme versus Celtic had an interesting snippet about a potential transfer, it reported that the club were interested in signing an international goalkeeper called Helgi Danielsson, he had played a few games for the reserve side and had impressed sufficiently but he returned to his native Iceland as he had commitments back home which necessitated his return. The transfer to Fir Park never materialised and he stayed with his club Íþróttabandalag Akraness.

Tuesday 14th October 1958

The club agree to raise Ian St John’s wages, he will now be paid £12 per week instead of £10.

Wednesday 14th October 1998

A surprising but eventful day was in store at Fir Park, Finn Harri Kampman tendered his resignation and left the club with immediate effect, a short time later former midfielder and current youth coach Billy Davies was installed as new manager. Kampman in truth had an awful record as he revamped the squad. Chief Executive Pat Nevin claimed he was shocked by Harri’s decision to quit Fir Park and stated – “The resignation took us by surprise. Harry had said he felt it was time he moved on and tendered his resignation which after a brief talk with the board, we agreed to accept.” It had been rumoured for some time that new chairman John Boyle wanted to appoint his own man for the job.

Saturday 14th October 2000

Manager, Billy Davies and his side enjoyed a fine 4-0 win over St Johnstone thanks to goals from Darren Dods (OG), Lee McCulloch, Ged Brannan and Stuart Elliott. It was almost exactly two years to the day when Davies made his managerial debut against the same opposition at McDiarmid Park which ended in disaster as the side crashed to a 5-0 defeat.

Tuesday 16th October 2001

Eric Black is named the new manager of Motherwell and he joins the club with a new assistant manager in former England and Rangers defender, Terry Butcher. This was Black’s first managerial role, he was a highly regarded coach. When dabbling in the transfer market he would predominantly make use of his French connections when adding new additions to the squad.

Tuesday 17th October 1922

The club received a letter from the league stating that a trio of players from the squad have been selected to play against the Irish league on Wednesday 18th October 1922 at Celtic Park. Chosen were Hughie Ferguson, Bobby Ferrier and Jimmy Jackson.

Tuesday 17th October 1950

Cruel blow for Goalkeeper Dick Hamilton as he received a rib injury against Ayr United in the League Cup Semi Final tie ten days ago and was further aggravated in the league match against Hibernian on Saturday. Manager, George Stevenson reported that Hamilton attended Hairmyres Hospital where his ribs were strapped up and will be out of action for the next few weeks meaning he will now miss the League Cup Final versus Hibernian.

Saturday 17th October 1998

Perhaps the less said the better, new manager Billy Davies took charge of his first game as the side traveled to Perth to face St Johnstone, a humiliating 5-0 loss was certainly not the start the new boss had hoped for.

Tuesday 18th October 1955

Bobby Ancell reported to the Board that he had been successful in securing the services of Ian Gardiner from East Fife for a fee of £5,100.

Saturday 19th October 1940

Motherwell hand out a 5-1 drubbing to Celtic in a Southern League fixture during the war years.

Tuesday 20th October 1931

Manager, John Hunter reported to the Board that he had an interview with Arsenal Football Club manager Herbert Chapman on Saturday. Mr Chapman had requested if the Directors of the club were prepared to transfer Willie McFadyen to which they declined.

Tuesday 20th October 1953

Manager, George Stevenson notifies the Board that he was successful in transferring Archie Kelly to Stirling Albion for a fee of £2,600.

Tuesday 21st October 1930

Manager, John Hunter reported to the Board that he had been successful in signing Welshman Ben Ellis from Bangor for a fee of £350, they will receive an additional £50 should he play in 12 first team games.

Monday 21st October 1996

After many weeks of speculation,’Well boss Alex McLeish pledges his future to the club. Hibernian had made three attempts to lure ‘Big Eck’ to Easter Road but the side from Edinburgh were refused permission on each occasion. McLeish admitted that he had been tempted by the job, but insisted – “I’ve said all along I would not resign. I have great ambitions for Motherwell FC. I want to win the league with this club and if that doesn’t happen I want us to be playing regularly in Europe and enjoying great runs.”

Saturday 22nd October 1983

In front of only 15,000 fans at Ibrox a struggling ‘Well side beat Rangers 2-1. Ally McCoist had put Gers one ahead thanks to a penalty kick but Motherwell drew level through a penalty of their own as Andy Ritchie netted his first goal for the club, youngster Jim ‘Junior’ Burns secured the win on the 81st minute with a neat finish. Their was quite a bit of fallout from the game, this result cost manager John Greig his job at Ibrox, in a strange twist they turned to ‘Well boss Jock Wallace who would head to Govan for his second reign with the club. What was most surprising was that the win over Rangers was his only league win of the season as the side fought against relegation.

Saturday 22nd October 2022

VAR (Video Assistant Referee) is finally introduced into Scottish football this weekend. The previous night the Hibernian versus St Johnstone match at Easter Road would be the first match in the country to use it with numerous incidents highlighted. At Fir Park on the 22nd October 2022 Motherwell would face off against Aberdeen and would fall to a 1-2 defeat but VAR would certainly produce many talking points and it took mere minutes for the technology to be used as a Dons early goal was originally flagged offside by the linesman but VAR would prove it was well onside and the goal would stand, it of course would rule a Dons goal offside no so long later. It had a controversial finish to the game as when Motherwell pushed for an equaliser deep into injury time, ‘Well defender Ricki Lamie was clearly fouled in the box then the resultant clearance the ball would strike an Aberdeen player on the arm who diverted the ball away from the Motherwell player looking to receive the ball. The full time whistle would sound a short time later and the general feedback was that the incidents at end weren’t even looked at.

Saturday 23rd October 1954

Motherwell fall to a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Hearts in the League Cup Final at Hampden Park. Bain and Redpath scored for ‘Well while a Bauld netted a hat trick for the Jambo’s with Wardhaugh also getting on the scoresheet.

Saturday 23rd October 2010

Motherwell beat Dundee United 2-1 in a SPL fixture. The Steelmen enjoyed a stroke of good fortune as both goals came from OG’s via Scott Severin in the 1st minute and Sean Dillon on the 75th minute. Both sides meet again on Tuesday in the Quarter Finals of the League Cup at Fir Park.

Tuesday 24th October 1939

It was reported to the Board that permission was granted by Arsenal Football Club for Motherwell to have the services of Gordon Bremner, brother of Hutton who is currently at Fir Park.

Saturday 25th October 1997

Motherwell fall to a late defeat at the hands of Aberdeen at Fir Park. Iceland trialist Gunni Jonsson concedes an 89th minute penalty which Dean Windass duly dispatched beyond Stevie Woods to seal a 1-2 victory. A ‘Well fans frustration boiled over at the incident and he entered the field of play and attacked Dons keeper Jim Leighton which not only ended in a prison sentence but a life ban from Fir Park.

Saturday 26th October 2002

A bad day at the office as Livingston defeat Motherwell 5-1 at Fir Park. Despite the scoreline lady luck was with Livi as all of their shots on target ended up in the back of the net with Lee Makel’s long range effort being the pick of the bunch. ‘Well’s new Algerian signing Khalid Kemas finally made his debut after being out injured since joining in the Summer, he of course scored a wonderful volley late in the game.  

Tuesday 26th October 2010

Alan Gow manages to lash home an effort late in a League Cup Quarter Final tie against Dundee United at Fir Park to send Motherwell to Hampden. The side completed a fine double having dispatched United in a SPL fixture on the previous Saturday.

Wednesday 28th October 1998

After losing his managerial debut to St Johnstone 5-0, Billy Davies had the unenviable task of trying to get a result against Rangers at Fir Park. Since the defeat in Perth the club had added a number of new additions, John Spencer arrived on loan from Everton and Ged Brannan arrived from Manchester City, the two new signing linked up with Spencer netting the winner on the 55th minute as ‘Well secured a 1-0 win.

Saturday 28th October 1950

A glorious day for the club as they beat Hibernian in the Final of the Scottish League Cup. Despite the 3-0 scoreline, ‘Well left it late with Archie Kelly opening the scoring own the 74th minute, this was followed by further goals from Forrest and Watters. The club would receive £2,475.8/8 as their share.

Friday 29th October 1999

It was becoming a real family affair at Fir Park as manager Billy Davies signs his brother John from Ayr United for an undisclosed fee, the midfielder would link up with John Spencer who of course was the pairs brother in law. He agreed a one and half year deal with the club.

Saturday 29th October 2016

Academy graduate Allan Campbell makes his first team debut when he comes on as a late substitute for Lee Lucas in a 4-1 victory over Ross County at Fir Park.

Saturday 29th October 2022

VAR was introduced into Scottish football the previous weekend and it wasn’t without controversy as it would see the Steelmen denied a clear penalty in stoppage time versus Aberdeen when the referee didn’t look at two incidents. Thankfully however in the second week of the technology being used it would see Motherwell profit from a decision being looked at and a player being sent off. ‘Well traveled north to face Dundee United at Tannadice on the back of four straight defeats but thanks to a goal from Sondre Solholm Johansen they would bring the three point back to North Lanarkshire. Referee John Beaton had initially missed a challenge by former ‘Well striker Tony Watt on Sean Goss just before half time but as the VAR team suggested to the ref to take a look at the incident he had no hesitation sending Watt off. Fans and pundits alike seemed to think the challenge didn’t merit a red card but an alternate angle would prove it was a really naughty challenge by the former Motherwell favourite. Ironically enough the decision would be downgraded to a yellow on appeal.

Saturday 30th October 1971

A surprise departure as forward John ‘Dixie’ Deans is signed by Jock Stein for Celtic for the paltry sum of £17,500. Deans had became disillusioned with life in Lanarkshire as he had gained a bad reputation for having been sent off numerous times. He was currently serving a six week ban.

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