Toxteth O'Grady

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44131816 Fan to Motherwell chief executive - 'Winning Scottish Cup would be beyond wildest dreams' By Jonathan Sutherland BBC Scotland 16 minutes ago From the sectionMotherwell Share this page Motherwell chief executive Alan Burrows on his rise from supporter to chief executive Scottish Cup final: Celtic v Motherwell Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Date: Saturday, 19 May Kick-off: 15:00 BST Coverage: Live on BBC One Scotland from 14:00, Radio Scotland & BBC Sport Scotland website and BBC Sport app How do you go from being a fan of a football club to its' chief executive? Few have made the journey but for Alan Burrows, it began with a trip to Hampden when he was eight years old to watch Motherwell beat Dundee United 4-3 in a classic Scottish Cup final. That was 1991. Now 35, and preparing for another Motherwell Scottish Cup final at Hampden, Burrows casts his mind back to a pivotal moment in his life. "It wasn't my first game, but it was certainly one of the ones that I remember," he tells BBC Sport Scotland. "I was still an impressionable young boy, going with my dad. I certainly remember the colour, the smells and the noise... sitting on the crash barrier at Hampden and watching the range of emotions from people. "That really hooked me on football. Not just the sport but the whole element of the day, the passion and the aggression at times as well. I found it quite fascinating." Motherwell last lifted the Scottish Cup in 1991 Motherwell last lifted the Scottish Cup in 1991, with a young Burrows celebrating at Hampden Cup final success ignited his passion. From there, Burrows would start regularly attending Motherwell matches with his father. "We went through a lot of family difficulties around the time we started going to the game and it really helped solidify the bond between us both," Burrows said. "Our first season ticket was 1993-94, which was the last year of Tommy McLean's era at the club. "The team finished second in the table. We had the likes of Paul Lambert, Tommy Coyne, Dougie Arnott, Brian Martin, Chris McCart - some really fantastic Motherwell legends. The team were outstanding that season. Many felt the team were unlucky not to win the title. "So it was easy to see a young boy like me falling in love with the club, because they were such a decent team at the time." 'I sort of floated home from Austria' With the club in his heart, Burrows' dedication later saw him start running an official Motherwell website in his early-to-mid-20s. One particular away trip saw his career path spiral in a different direction. "I paid for myself to go over to Austria on a pre-season tour," he explained. "Nobody else was going, so I was backpacking, planes, trains and automobiles getting to Obertraun, which is just south of Salzburg. At that time I was sending pictures and reports back. "It was Mark McGhee's first year at the club. Stewart Robertson, the current Rangers managing director, phoned me. He was on the Motherwell board at the time and he left a voicemail saying he really liked what I was doing and would I like to come and do it for the club. "I sort of floated home from Austria. I was on such a high." Burrows started work with Motherwell in September 2007 in the communications department. During that time he worked closely with Leeann Dempster, now chief executive at Hibernian. Alan Burrows in conversation with Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster Alan Burrows learned the ropes from Leaann Dempster before succeeding her as chief executive "I worked for six years with Leeann Dempster. I got to know all the different aspects of how we run on a day-to-day basis," he said. "She involved me, in her latter days before she departed the club, in the senior elements - board meetings, strategy, etc. When she left and she asked me on behalf of the board whether I would want to do the job, it was something I debated for quite some time. "I spent a couple of weeks thinking about it. But in essence I had already made the decision." 'Be seen, be visual, be open and be honest' It has been a whirlwind decade for Burrows in his ascent at Motherwell. Now in charge, his attitude to leadership reflects his rise through the club. "I've never been scared to do anything that needs to be done," he said. "I'd never ask anyone to do something I wouldn't do myself. If that's being at a board meeting, if that's clearing snow off the pitch, if that's cleaning a toilet - I would do it. "I think that's proper leadership. Yes, you need to delegate and you can't do everything, but real leadership - especially when things are difficult - [you need to] be seen, be visual, be open and be honest and give people reassurances that you're prepared to get your sleeves rolled up and work as hard as they're going to work. For me, that's leadership. "It's based on my love for the club. I would do anything for this place and people know that." Motherwell overpowered Aberdeen in the Scottish Cups semi-final to set up a meeting with Celtic Motherwell overpowered Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final to set up a meeting with Celtic His love affair with Motherwell began with Scottish Cup celebrations of 1991, so what would it mean to win the trophy as chief executive? "It would be beyond my wildest dreams," he said. "It gets me emotional thinking about it actually. This club has only won the Scottish Cup twice - 1952 and 1991 - so it would be a treble of our own. So it's a once in a lifetime thing, it's not even a once in a generation thing. "To be the person steering the club off the field and winning a major trophy would be hard to put into words." Motherwell lost Cedric Kipre to a red card in November's League Cup final loss to Celtic Ten-man Motherwell lost 2-0 to Celtic in this season's League Cup final If Burrows' rise has been meteoric, his passion for Motherwell remains undimmed. "My ultimate goal is to make this place better than when I found it," he added. "I want to secure it long term. "We've moved into fan ownership; we're the only club in the Premiership that are fully fan owned. Hearts are on their way to it and St Mirren, who are coming up, are on their way to it as well." "My legacy I hope will be that from an on-field and off-field point of view, we are secure and stable for many generations of Motherwell fans to come, either at this stadium or a new one. "It's leaving a positive environment, a secure and stable environment and an enjoyable environment for people to come and watch the football club they love."

Sunday afternoon I believe.

I don't think there's any chance of that this time around.

You can win two tickets here https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish-cup/scottish-cup-competitions/

Clockwork definitely allows kids in.

Official buses leaving Fir Park at 1pm https://twitter.com/MotherwellFC/status/996096557010202624

Allocation sold out, according to Motherwell Facebook page.

I see the train strike has been cancelled http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-44099661

https://stv.tv/amp/1414867-robinson-extremely-difficult-for-motherwell-to-sign-ciftci/ "Extremely difficult" to sign Ciftci.

Motherwell: Griffiths, Tait, Hendrie, Grimshaw, Bigirimana, Frear, Aldred, Çiftçi, MacLean, Turnbull, Maguire Motherwell subs: Morrison, Bowman, Petravicius, Kipré, Campbell, Gordon, Brown

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44082242 Motherwell: Robinson to be 'clever' with selection in last game before cup final Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson admits he will have to be "clever" with his squad for Saturday's Lanarkshire derby against Hamilton Academical. Well face Celtic in the Scottish Cup final the following Saturday. Robinson says several first-team players are carrying "knocks and a few minor injuries". "We'll make a decision for what's the best way for us to approach both games," said Northern Irishman Robinson, 43. "I've a very small squad. But whoever plays we'll put a competitive team out and they're playing for places either on the bench or in the starting line-up for the cup final. "It's up to the boys I put out to take their opportunities." Captain Carl McHugh, fellow midfielder Liam Grimshaw, defender Cedric Kipre and forward Curtis Main are among the players Robinson has concerns over, although he believes they will not be in danger of missing the final against Celtic on 19 May. "There have been players crying out for opportunities and the starting line-up [for the cup final] is still to play for, so there will be people going out with points to prove and they'll hopefully put on a show that gives me a real hard decision to make next Saturday," Robinson explained. The Steelmen, who beat Partick Thistle 1-0 on Tuesday, are seventh in the Scottish Premiership before their final league game of the season against Accies, with St Johnstone level on points with Robinson's side but just two goals worse off. Finishing top of the bottom half of the table would guarantee Motherwell an extra £60,000 in prize money. "We want to finish seventh," insisted Robinson. "I will make some changes tomorrow based on injuries really, so I have to be a bit clever with that, but not to the detriment of the game. "£20 into the club is important never mind £60,000 so it really is very important." After signing four players on longer-term contracts last month, Robinson also says he's offered deals to "three or four" players in the hope that they will join Motherwell this summer and is waiting to hear back.

Motherwell: Carson, Hendrie, Cadden, McHugh, Main, Bowman, Dunne, Aldred, Kipré, Campbell, Turnbull Motherwell subs: Griffiths, Bigirimana, Frear, Petravicius, Ciftci, MacLean, Maguire

Sorry to return to the subject of tickets, but was it not today we had to decide whether we would be returning West Stand 'B' sections for Celtic to sell?

I'm sure Flow said on Twitter that we would be wearing this season's home top in the final.

This update is a bit more promising. Now selling for sections B2 and Q4. South lower sold out.

Was told that we'd shifted just over half our allocation this morning.

Just over half our allocation sold. Thought it might have been more than that by now.

How lovely would it be to rain on their parade? https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-planning-potential-double-treble-12445988.amp

Bowman off injured. Hopefully not too serious.

Motherwell: Carson, Tait, Grimshaw, Cadden, McHugh, Main, Bowman, Dunne, Aldred, Kipré, Campbell Motherwell subs: Griffiths, Bigirimana, Frear, Çiftçi, MacLean, Maguire, Scott

Anyone been for tickets yet? Is there a queue?

A4 and A5.

http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2018/04/25/cup-final-ticket-information-2/ Cup final ticket information Wednesday, April 25, 2018 Tickets for our 2017/18 William Hill Scottish Cup final against Celtic will go on sale on Friday, April 27. Motherwell will receive a maximum allocation of almost 15,000 tickets for the match. Supporters will be located in the west and south stands at Hampden Park. Ticket prices will start at £30 for adults and £15 for concessions. Motherwell fans will be seated in areas A1 through to B3 in the west stand, areas P1 to P6 in the William Hill south stand lower and sections Q1 to Q6 in the William Hill south stand upper. We encourage supporters to purchase their tickets as early as possible. Our initial allocation of tickets will be for 12,700, with the potential to receive the additional sections B4 and B5 in the west stand, should we sell. The club has until Tuesday, May 8 to request these tickets from the Scottish FA, or they will be reallocated to Celtic. The ticket office will be open from 9am until 5pm on Friday and will be open on the morning of Saturday’s game with Dundee. 2017/18 season ticket holders and Well Society members will have exclusive access to purchase up to four tickets each first. Tickets can either be purchased in person at Fir Park or by calling 01698 333333. Please note, phone sales will not be taken at weekends. A general sale will then commence on Thursday, May 3. Chief Executive Alan Burrows: “We have worked extremely hard over the last week to get as many tickets as possible for this match, whilst agreeing to be flexible depending on how sales are going. “Like the Betfred Cup Final back in November, we have agreed to sell them block by block and request B4 and B5 in the west stand if we sell out in time. “After prolonged negotiations, we have managed to secure tickets in top tier of the south stand, above Motherwell fans, which was extremely important to us. “I would urge as many ‘Well fans as possible to get their tickets as early to avoid disappointment and to maximise the potential support at the final.” OPENING TIMES FOR SEASON TICKET HOLDERS / WELL SOCIETY MEMBERS Friday, April 27: 9am to 6pm Saturday, April 28: 9:30am to 12:30pm (no telephone sales) Monday, April 30: 9am to 5pm Tuesday, May 1: 9am to 5pm Wednesday, May 2: 9am to 6pm OPENING TIMES FOR GENERAL SALE Thursday, May 3: 9am to 6pm Friday, May 4: 9am to 5pm Saturday, May 5: 9:30am to 12:30pm (no telephone sales) TICKET PRICES William Hill south stand £35 Adult/£20 Concession West stand £30 Adult/£15 Concession Accessible seating in the William Hill south stand £18 Adult/£10 Concession Accessible seating in the west stand £15 Adult/£8 Concession Concessions are deemed to be those aged 15 and under, or 65 and over. Singing section will be in sections A4 and A5. For disabled association tickets, please contact Brian Davidson on 07428225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com. BUSES TO HAMPDEN Our Cooper bus deal will cost £8 per person and includes: Access to Cooper bar and kiosk from 11am and again post match Face painting and entertainment pre match Food available to purchase To buy, call 01698 333333. CUP FINAL HOSPITALITY Our great hospitality package will also see our bars open at 11am for brunch. Included in the deal are: Brunch Main stand ticket at Hampden Park Match day programme Bus to and from Hampden with official parking Hot snacks on return (pies, sausage rolls and cakes) Our hospitality package is priced at £85 for adults and £70 for concessions (aged 15 and under, or over 65). You can buy online or call 01698 333333 during office hours.

http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2018/04/23/cup-final-hospitality-packages/ Cup final hospitality packages Monday, April 23, 2018 Motherwell take on Celtic in their second cup final of the season on May 19 and we’ve got excellent hospitality deals available for the big match. The club will also be running buses to the game with access to the Cooper bar and kiosk from 11am before the game, and again afterwards. Our main hospitality package will also see our bars open at 11am for brunch. Included in the deal are: Brunch Main stand ticket at Hampden Park Match day programme Bus to and from Hampden with official parking Hot snacks on return (pies, sausage rolls and cakes) Our hospitality package is priced at £85 for adults and £70 for concessions (aged 15 and under, or over 65). You can buy online or call 01698 333333 during office hours. Our Cooper bus deal will cost £8 per person and includes: Access to Cooper bar and kiosk from 11am and again post match Face painting and entertainment pre match Food available to purchase To buy, call 01698 333333 or email bernadette.brannan@motherwellfc.co.uk. Information on general admission tickets will be confirmed later in the week.

http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2018/04/23/injury-update/ Injury update on eight players Monday, April 23, 2018 Motherwell have a number of players currently sidelined through injury. Andy Rose suffered an injury to his clavicle during the 0-0 weekend draw with Ross County. After having an x-ray on Sunday, the club are monitoring how long it is necessary for him to be out and are, at this stage, still hopeful he will make the William Hill Scottish Cup final on May 19. Curtis Main was also injured during the game in Dingwall. The striker had an x-ray on his wrist on Monday which didn’t show any initial fracture. He will undergo further tests this week to determine the extent of the injury but is not expected to spend long on the sidelines. Carl McHugh also damaged his front teeth during the match with County and had dental treatment on Monday. He is not expected to spend any time out. As has already been announced, George Newell fractured his cheekbone during the William Hill Scottish Cup semi final win against Aberdeen. It is not yet known whether the young striker will need surgery. The medical staff are also continuing to monitor an ankle knock sustained by Nadir Çiftçi in training. Ellis Plummer, Peter Hartley and Craig Tanner remain our long-term injury absentees.