gilmour

Motherwell legend Stevie Hammell has announced his retirement from playing to become the Fir Park club’s Academy Director. The 35-year-old will hang up his boots at the end of the month after a 20-year love affair with the Lanarkshire outfit, broken only by a two-year spell with Southend United from 2006 to 2008. The left-back holds the post-war record for appearances for Motherwell, and played as recently as Saturday’s match against Hamilton. That will likely be his last match, but he will be available and ready if called upon until January is out, before taking on a challenge that he is excited about despite his sadness at his playing days coming to an end. “It’s strange, the emotions are mixed,” said Hammell. “I think if I was 40 years old and retiring then it would still be a sad day. “But I’m also really excited about the new opportunity that the club have given me, and I’m really looking forward to getting started on that. “It’s a great honour. I spoke to the chairman, I spoke to Alan Burrows, the manager spoke to me and Scott Leitch spoke to me, and they all really recommended that it was the perfect fit for me. “It maybe came a little bit earlier than what I would have expected, but in football, nothing is ever perfectly timed. “I feel I could play for longer, but an opportunity like this is something I’ve been preparing for for a number of years, it’s not something that’s just luckily landed on my lap. “It excites me, and I believe I can go in and do a really good job.” Hammell admits that he had to think long and hard about stepping away from the daily routine as a player, but says that the opportunity was simply too good to turn down after former teammate Leitch had vacated the post just before Christmas. “It’s going to be a wrench to stop playing,” he said. “I love it, I can’t hide that. “I come to training every day and enjoy it, it’s never been a chore for me or a grind. I’ve never struggled to come in, I still love it and I will miss it. “This season has been a bit frustrating because I’ve not played as much, but that has prepared me more for going into this new role. “No matter what age I was, I would be missing training and playing every day, and the everyday life as a footballer. With the atmosphere in this place, I’ll miss that for sure. “It would be nice to get another game and go out on a higher note than the Hamilton game. “I played in the game last week fully aware that it would more than likely be my last game, so to go out on that note would be disappointing, but if that’s the way it is, then fine, I will still take away a lot of good memories. “We’ll see what the next few weeks hold between now and the end of January, but I’m ready and fully prepared. “I haven’t taken a day off this week, so I’m ready if the manager needs me.”

Honestly

Far too much sense being spoken on here

So when are we likely to hear what length of ban he will receive ?

Alan burrows on twitter saying we're close to getting one over the line.

I don't think the system is fair at all. It seems the BBC decide what to highlight and what to turn the blind eye too. Compliance officer then duly falls into line. We have been over highlighted in the past I believe while larger clubs seem to get away with it. I wouldn't be surprised if they reject supporters video and go with the refs report resulting in only Hartley getting done as no one else was cautioned, if the ref saw anything surely he would have acted then ?

I know. I think it was the herald I was reading it in. The main gist is that if they do use supporters phone videos as evidence where do they draw the line. Should they leave it and just go by the refs report? There's no way the ref saw everything in that mess. So I hope they do use it but it's not been done before.

There's a bit of debate going on just now whether the footage can be used as it's a supporter camera footage or if the will go with the referees report. A few players may escape unpunished if that's the case. I guess we will have to wait and see.

Thanks

I'm still cringing watching this. Getting beat is bad enough but it happens so take it on the chin. But to lose you're class is something else. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/watch-motherwell-defender-peter-hartley-11773841 Violent conduct probably a 3 match ban

Thank fuck the "Farewll tour is finally over".

Il drive. Infact double it up with krapee

Left early as couldn't stomach anymore so only just hearing of Hartley. What a fucking idiot. As if we are not struggling big time, he's now decided to hurt us even more by getting himself stupidly banned. I'm so pissed off with this team it's not even funny anymore. I was reading how the first game after that awful day the players went it at HT 2-0 down at hearts. They said this is not acceptable and fought for a 2-2 draw. What a difference to today and that idiot getting sent offf.

Cadden has went from a player of the year to someone you would give to Arbroath to get rid of him.

It's not often but I walked out early. My heart ruling my head I went today, and I left at the 3rd goal. What a terrible team I could rant and rant but they were simply awful.

Isn't public forums about opinions ?

Wow you can work a keyboard hang on I can do emojis. Too.

As soon as the deal was done he was never going to play again to big a risk for both clubs. The injury story is for the fans benefit I'm in no doubt about that.

50-50 whether to go today. Recent games have kicked it out me a bit and they sure aren't going to improve miraculously overnight. New blood very badly needed. Fed up paying to watch dross. Ok full of effort but dross all the same. Fisher

If were lucky McHughs injury will take a while to heal

The bad spell is getting even worse.

January signings will make or break our season as what we have simply isn't good enough to stay up.

1 Man Team

Yep fall out from his court appearance I suspect.