Gadgey

To a degree, they do! The whole ethos is to be a community club, and with that, contribution to the local economy should be expected. If the club were ever to move up there, I would expect it would be part of a much wider development plan. I used to knock about with a lad who was a civil engineer who worked on the ravenscraig site during the 90s shortly after the steel mill was demolished who told me way back then that they had plans already drawn up for a whole new town that was funded for build. The draw back was that there was considerable soil pollution meaning that the site wouldn't be fit for development for in some parts decades. Perhaps this is why it remains so desolate?

As much as I'd like Hall to sign up for the long term and become a player that can go to a higher level as a competitive starter for a decent sell on fee, I shan't be sobbing if he doesn't. In the interviews I've seen him do, he seems to be a wee bit ahead of himself. I mean, he's already been quoted and filmed more than once, talking of his chances of playing for the NI national team and sneaking into the Euros squad. I suspect somebody somewhere has been filling the boys heid full of shite. I certainly don't blame the lad for keeping his options open and I sincerely hope he isn't being offered less than the likes of Laing or Kennedy. If he continues in his present manner, I'm sure he'll become a decent player and gain international caps but this will be one of the biggest choices of his career. I've seen too many young lads tearing up a long term career for the prize of status from being at a big club or for more short term money.

Being in exile, I'm seldom in the club shop and haven't bought any macron training gear but judging by some of the old puma training gear I have, I'm not at all surprised. I've suspected for some time that provan sports receive the merchandise from the supplier without the Motherwell badge on them and then iron them on. Perhaps the strips are the exception and it's only my suspicion but given my 2yr olds kit had the same size badge as my adult one, it at the very least smacks of laziness. I guess you're right about the standard of the present badges, they really can't be any worse than what was on the xara stuff. Now they were really poor, from the badges, to the material quality that made my Sunday league nipple bleeders feel simply luxurious.

It was, and between the travel club and the Claret and Amber club, it meant that a boy like myself from a very low income family was able get to watch their local team. Huge kudos to the board of the time

Excuse my ignorance, what's wrong with the badge?

That makes a lot of sense actually as my first kit was the Patrick vertical bar of that era, which I really stupidly wrote IAN SKELLY across the middle of after having had it a few years and parents who couldn't afford the umbro one of the time. Further to Claret and Amber club, does anyone else remember the Motherwell travel club? My dad and I went to almost every away game through that club during the late 80s. Happy memories

Every macron kit I or my kids have had has had issues with the sponsors logo and little macron motif on the shoulder peeling off. All washing instructions followed. Recently a crystal palace supporting mate (also macron) had a moan about the same thing and asking if I had the same trouble. Otherwise, I really like the macron gear

I can't honestly remember the year but I'm pretty sure my first game was a preseason friendly against QPR. I think it was either 1985/86 or 1986/87 season? My second, first competitive and totally bug catching game was a cup tie against forfar the blue Brazil in 86/87 with my first trip to hampden shortly after to watch us fight back from two down to only lose on penalties to Celtic in the semifinal of the same cup. I was well proud of being a member of the 'claret and amber club'.

On that point, whilst Ian Baraclough can draw much criticism for his time in charge, in managing to find the likes of Moult and Kennedy (who I think will shape into a decent centre half) from his position at the back of the queue, he justifiably deserves praise.

Wholeheartedly agree with the above. As it goes, what are the rumours doing the rounds with regards arrivals and departures?

I don't think anyone would disagree with you that Motherwells transfer policy has been nothing short of woeful during recent years but during the vast majority of that time, we've enjoyed the longest run of highest top league finishes in the clubs modern history. So on that basis, I wouldn't necessarily agree that our recent standard of import quality (January cull excluded of course) has been useless. I for one WOULD be surprised if we saw Moult and Johnson leave at the ends of their contracts for nothing and the reason I say that is that the club has talked up that import, skill up, export business model and has spent quite a lot of money on building the infrastructure to resource that. Has all of this bypassed you? But of course, you can never rule out the individual will of a young talented player who perhaps has had his head turned. If the rumours are true, there will be nothing to stop Ben Hall refusing a new contract and swanning off chasing the big time after a few breakthrough games in our first team. So yeah, IT IS man management time because for every Theo Robinson or Franny Jeffers I'll raise you a Paul Slane or Lee Erwin. i sincerely hope McGhee keeps our young talent grounded and picks the best available team to have a cracking battle for that fourth spot

I honestly don't know what planet you've just been beamed down from mate. Let's explore your example of the young Rangers player. I suspect all of the Motherwell u20s squad will be just like the 17 year old boy you describe. They too should be like a "dog with a bone" doing what they can to get into the first team. Such is the nature of forging a career in such a competitive industry. It's been the way of the footballing world since Christ left Patrick. Do you HONESTLY think that Warburton will just put this lad in because he's been trying really hard? Young players should break into first teams when they're ready to fight for a place in that first team. To suggest otherwise is idealistic nonsense. The u20s reward will be a trophy. It is not a first team berth!!! If the first team achieve 4th, there will be more money to secure the longevity of our homegrown talent and to source talent from elsewhere such as Johnson and Moult. It's a simple matter of business. But hey, it's man management time. I'd hate for a potential cup winning youth team to feel "deflated" because they didn't walk straight into a premiership first team.

Ssshhh!!!

Ripley kept us in the game, whether he was "average" in doing so is subject to conjecture, but the fact remains, had it not been for him, we wouldn't have been able to have a go at clawing anything back. I fucking hate Golum with a passion but in general, he didn't have a bad game. He called it as his linesman saw it (who is employed to see it better than him) and quite simply, the linesman got it wrong. On the plus side, to not play particularly well yet still worry a Celtic team who were pushing on for a league title and to still feel slightly robbed come full time....I think is sufficient to give me at least some belief that we can still finish 4th (cos we will be in the top 6).

I don't think I've ever been so nervous watching other teams scores

I would agree with pretty much all of that. The English lower league fixture card is gruelling and I'd go as far to say that all three leagues demand high levels of athleticism and stamina. Someone said earlier that Jamie Murphy had to do two years in league 1 to get ready for championship and they're bang on. In fact, I recently read an interview where he said as much. Obviously, being an exile I don't get to see as much of players as many of you do, but from what I've seen of him, big Marv could be a good league 1 player and in time possibly lower championship, but would need greater consistency to cope with the heavy fixture list whilst maintaining a starting berth in either league.

LOL it certainly is !!! The combined Medway towns of gillingham, Chatham and Rochester make Motherwell and wishaw seem like bearsden and milngavie

An interesting debate regarding the comparison between SPFL and English lower leagues. Having been to lots of English league games over recent years, I think it's fair to say that the gulf between the clubs in either side of the border is getting greater. 10-15 years ago when I was regularly going to watch gillingham in the championship, I would say Scottish teams of the time would have comfortably lived in that environment. A little later, I used to regularly watch Brentford (brother in law lived there) and Gillingham (my local club) when they were both in league 1 during the back end of the last decade and then latterly Exeter and 'the gills' when they were in league 2 (now latterly gillingham riding high in league 1) during the last six years or so. I now through work, get to see West Ham and Charlton fairly often and I think it's fair to say that during that 10 years or so, there's been a sizeable shift in standard between the English leagues. It's been all to do with money of course and for that reason alone, by default, the standard of the Scottish game has fallen behind also. But to say that Motherwell would be a lower league 1 side at best, is a little unfair. It is in itself an unlevel playing field in that clubs even at that level, have more to spend than us. But all things considered, the majority of Scottish teams would, if thrown in and given acclimatising time, would comfortably survive in league 1. Some would be able to push on to championship.

Wooaaahh!!!! You're a brave man putting that one out there. Personally, I have no issue with that as hearts have seen success from doing the same with Levein. I'm sure there will be many who will not agree or agree without McGhees involvement. Thinking it through logically though, there is that potential succession plan of Robinson and Craigan stepping up with Lasley and potentially Faddy coming through the youth system.

We won't be relegated and we will be in the top six. The big question is can we finish fourth and in a more general sense, who will be in the playoffs? At this rate, hibs might have to wait another year!!!

It's not very often that my optimism actually becomes a reality but what a result that we've been the team to put that run together!!??!! This post was way back in early/mid February and on the topic of relegation....can Utd pull it off? Are killie in free fall? Will those lucky accie bastards survive???

I would agree with much of what you say Andy but I'm with Ya bezzer. Swansea City are a cracking example of that. Managers come and go but if the infrastructure is there, then it'll be easier and more attractive to deliver their required job description and deliver the footballing side of business plan. That in itself will attract other clubs and potential talent to nurture, be it footballers or managers. Mark McGhee, Ian Baraclough or Mickey Mouse it doesn't matter, make it work and they'll look to push on for a "better" job. Also, I don't get this whole "McGhee left us in a mess" stuff. If I remember it correctly, McGhees playing budget was reduced considerably whilst with us and the majority of that squad was allowed to walk away by the then board/owner. Such decision making does not sit entirely with a manager and again (happy to be proven wrong as it was some years ago now) Gannon was recruited to source cheaper, raw talent from England and develop the youngsters. Again, I'm not entirely sure why McGhee should get the blame for that. Yes, next season will be more of a challenge than this one, it'll be stronger and we will lose talent. But none the less, the signs are promising that McGhee will can maintain our SPFL status, which should be the realists objective.

Wasn't meaning third ... But there is justifiable cause for excitement about coming fourth and Celtic winning the cup. Bloody awesome!!!

Todays win must be the one to confirm beyond all reasonable doubt that the decision to appoint Mark McGhee was absolutely the right call and that there is real justification for a sense of optimism. He's managed to turn a squad who looked clueless and heartless into a side that can fight back from behind to win and on an off day like today, grind out a vital result. What a contrast from this time last year !!??!! I sincerely hope there aren't Motherwell fans out there who are hating this present run and the security from relegation and the excitement of a potential Euro spot that it brings. But if there are, at least they're not coming coming on here and spouting their pish.

Beaten to the punch!!! I honestly don't understand why we need to celebrate the 130th anniversary via a kit or any other means.