gilmour Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 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.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilmour Posted January 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 A complete pro and incredibly consistent. Thank you hammy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkyred Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 His record speaks for itself, rare in the modern game to have players with that level of dedication to one club. Good luck for the future. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grizzlyg Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 A true Well legend and good to see Academy in control of someone that knows the club inside out 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
real dosser Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 Model professional and Well through and through. Thanks for the memories Stevie and all the best in your new career producing young players for the Dossers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Wispy Flossy Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 Yeah can only echo the above - a wonderful servant and deserves all the plaudits coming his way. Hopefully hes as successful In his new post as in his former one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeboy Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 Fantastic player and servant, both on and off the park. His appearances record speaks for itself and in my time supporting Motherwell, I can't think of many with a better first touch who were more composed on the ball. One of few players who I would genuinely say deserved more international recognition than he got. On a sidenote, given he was the last of the "old guard" as such, that means that Chris Cadden is both our longest serving player and player with most appearances (94). You must be going back some years for us to have no one in the squad with triple figures worth of appearances for the club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddiemunster Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 Amy truth in the rumour that we're naming the pie stall in the East after him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazzyB Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 Sounds like he really didn't want to retire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellowell Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 Im sure he didnt but the job that came up was what he has done all his badges for and if given to someone else may not have been available come end of season .He is perfect for this post and as not playing much these days I think its a perfect fit and wish him all the best as sure he will give it his all . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewarkfanclub Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 Stevie Hammell. More appearances than Joe Wark. Nuff said. Club Legend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The African Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 Over the years Steve Hammell has been the consummate professional for us. The fact that some are comparing him to Joe Wark is a tremendous compliment to them both. We have been extremely fortunate to have had him playing for us. As for the future, if he were joining another club Id wish him nothing but the best. The fact that he is staying on in a role where he can hopefully influence the young players coming through our academy will hopefully turn out to be a stroke of genius. A tea made up of eleven players with the attitude and professionalism of Steve Hammell should do us okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rambunctious Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 Forget about teaching the youngsters how to play. We could do with him teaching most of our first team how to control, pass and cross a ball properly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelboy Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 Forget about teaching the youngsters how to play. We could do with him teaching most of our first team how to control, pass and cross a ball properly! And how to spend 30 seconds taking a shy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superward Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 And how to spend 30 seconds taking a shy. Haha, spot on. Club legend and glad he's got the new role. But by God, Stevie, 'just shy it!!' 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellup83 Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 Fantastic servant to the club. Wish him all the best in his new role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoF Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 As solid a player as you could ask for. All the best Stevie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ya Bezzer! Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 Shouldn't be allowed to retire until he scores a 5th league goal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DunnyMFC Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 Great servant of the club and wish him all the best in his new role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelboy Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 A tweet from Robert Snodgrass "Congrats on a great career mate played with and against you good luck in your new role mucker Snods" Did they play together? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaka Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 Not that Ive ever heard or noticed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizoxy Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 Scotland u21s? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellfan1984 Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 Scotland u21s? No. They have been in Scotland Squads together though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelboy Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 They have been in Scotland Squads together though Aye I forgot about Strachan calling Hammell up a few years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1991 Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 A tweet from Robert Snodgrass "Congrats on a great career mate played with and against you good luck in your new role mucker Snods" Did they play together? Would imagine for Scotland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.