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Steelmen Heritage Project - Help Us Cross the Finish Line

18 May 1991: Phil O''Donnell (left) and Ian Angus (right) of Motherwell celebrate a second goal during the Scottish Cup final against Dundee at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Motherwell won the match 4-3. (image: Ben Radford/Allsport)

The Steelmen Heritage Project continues to make great strides in celebrating, preserving, and sharing the proud story of our football club. Thanks to the generosity of supporters and donors, we have already completed several exciting projects that bring our heritage to life – and now we are close to completing this phase of our journey.

What We’ve Achieved So Far With your invaluable support, we have been able to transform how our club’s rich history is displayed and experienced:

Revitalised Centenary Suite Displays

The cabinets within the Centenary Suite have been completely renewed to reflect six key eras in our club’s history. These include never-before-seen memorabilia and trophies, giving supporters and visitors a deeper appreciation of the club’s journey and achievements.

Phil O’Donnell Stand Entrance

In collaboration with the football club, the main entrance to the stand has been redesigned to celebrate Motherwell’s industrial roots, its legacy of nurturing great players, and of course, the Scottish Cup-winning heroes of 1991.

Mrs Baillie’s Bar

We have also contributed to the development of Mrs Baillie’s Bar in the fan zone beside the Tommy McLean Stand. This engaging space shares stories from the club’s early years, connecting today’s supporters with the foundations of our community and identity.

Murals in the John Hunter Stand

Our team has provided historical guidance to the Block E artists, who have created stunning murals depicting the club’s most iconic managers. These vibrant artworks celebrate leadership, character, and the enduring spirit of the Steelmen.

Virtual Museum

Our online heritage hub, mfcheritagetrust.com, continues to grow each week. The virtual museum provides fans across the world with access to our expanding digital archive of memorabilia, match programmes, player profiles, and much more – ensuring our story is preserved and shared for generations to come. We have scanned thousands of pages of match programmes and photographed hundreds of items – these will be uploaded to the website in batches over the coming weeks.

What Comes Next

The next steps in the Steelmen History Project are already in motion.

We will soon extend the heritage theme up the stairs of the Phil O’Donnell Stand, introducing a timeline of key moments and a dedicated European adventures display that will include the stories and memories of fans who travelled with the team through those unforgettable campaigns.

Following this, we will focus on completing the Davie Cooper Concourse, a key area for historical displays and the final piece required before we can launch our new stadium heritage tour — an engaging and accessible experience that will showcase our proud history to supporters and visitors alike.

We’re Nearly There – Can You Help Us Finish the Job?

We are well on our way to reaching our £15,000 fundraising target, which will allow us to complete this phase of our work.

If you are able to support us, please visit our JustGiving page to make a donation. Every contribution – large or small – makes a difference.

If you are a UK taxpayer, please remember to tick the Gift Aid box when you donate. It allows us to claim an extra 25% on your gift at no extra cost to you.

Together, we are creating something truly special – a living legacy that honours our past, inspires future generations, and celebrates everything it means to be part of the Motherwell story.

#COYW

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Two-Thirds There, Thanks to You !

Centenary Lounge cabinet after revamping (image: MFCHT)

We’re thrilled to share some brilliant news – our fundraising campaign to create a lasting celebration of Motherwell FC’s proud history has now reached a major milestone.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of fans, friends, and supporters, we’ve raised £9,000, bringing us two-thirds of the way to our overall target of £15,000.

This campaign is about more than bricks and mortar – it’s about honouring the legacy of our club, telling our story properly, and ensuring that future generations understand what makes Motherwell FC so special.

But we’re not there yet. To complete this ambitious project and make it truly worthy of the badge, we still need your support. Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to turning key areas of Fir Park into a powerful, permanent tribute to our club’s rich heritage.

You can support the campaign by donating through our JustGiving page which has full details of our plans.

If you’ve already donated, thank you!

And remember, if you’re a UK taxpayer, you can boost your donation by 25% at no extra cost just by ticking the Gift Aid box.

That means, for every £1 you give, we get an extra 25p from HMRC. It’s a simple way to make an even bigger impact – at no extra cost to you.

To ensure we properly acknowledge all contributions, please also email admin@mfcheritagetrust.com with your name, contact details, and the amount donated.

Let’s keep pushing.

With your continued support, we’re well on the way to bringing our history home.

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Bring Motherwell FC’s History to Life

concept drawing for Phil O'Donnell Stand entrance

You can help turn Fir Park into into a vibrant celebration of all things Motherwell FC. Our goal is to make every matchday, every visit,  feel like walking through our proud history.

Join us in celebrating the amazing history of Motherwell FC by helping us create a stunning Heritage Experience at Fir Park.

Motherwell Football Club Heritage Trust – a registered charity – is embarking on an exciting journey to revamp our historic display cabinets and transform the Davie Cooper Stand Concourse into an immersive matchday and stadium tour experience that honours the club’s proud legacy.

What We’re Creating

We want Fir Park to be more than a stadium — we want it to feel like a living museum where fans, families, and future generations can:

  • Explore stunning new display cabinets filled with priceless club memorabilia
  • Walk through a reimagined Davie Cooper Stand Concourse bursting with colour, history, and passion
  • Enjoy a proposed stadium tour featuring themed zones, heritage storytelling, and family-friendly interaction

Imagine walking into Fir Park and instantly feeling the history – not just seeing it, but experiencing it.

Concept Sneak Peek

For our first project, which focuses on the Phil O’Donnell Stand entrance, the Centenary Lounge and Davie Cooper Stand Concourse, we’ve worked with talented designers to develop stunning concept visuals.

Here’s a taste of what’s to come (subject to final design changes)

A revamped Phil O’Donnell Stand entrance

Redesigned exhibit cabinets in the Centenary Lounge – arranged across 6 eras of club’s history

A transformed Davie Cooper Concourse

Why It Matters

Fir Park holds memories that span generations. From Davie Cooper’s genius to cup wins, promotions, and unforgettable nights – it’s all part of who we are.

With your help, this project will:

  • Protect and showcase our club’s proud history
  • Inspire lifelong fans and new supporters alike
  • Add heart and meaning to every matchday
  • Give visitors a truly special experience during future stadium tours

We’re not just building cabinets and wall displays. We’re building legacy.

How You Can Help

We are so grateful for the generous support from early funders. However, in order to complete the transformation, we still need to raise a further £15,000.

You can make a huge impact, whether you give a little or a lot.

Every donation brings us closer to turning Fir Park into a landmark of football heritage.

And remember, if you’re a UK taxpayer, you can boost your donation by 25% at no extra cost just by ticking the Gift Aid box.

That means, for every £1 you give, we get an extra 25p from HMRC. It’s a simple way to make an even bigger impact – at no extra cost to you.

What You’ll Get

All donors who provide us with their contact details will receive:

  • Regular updates as the project progresses
  • Your name (if you wish) featured on our ‘Virtual Museum’ Donor Wall
  • Early insights into the next phase of our heritage plans
  • The pride of being part of something meaningful

Timeline

We aim to begin installation during the close season, summer 2025, with the full transformation completed in phases to minimise matchday disruption.

The sooner we raise the funds, the sooner we can bring it all to life.

Ready to Be Part of History?

Fir Park is where history is made. Now you can help preserve it for the next generation.

Click here to support today !

Share this campaign with your friends and fellow fans

Be part of the legacy

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Calling All Motherwell Fans! Share Your Club Treasures!

Concept drawing for display cabinet in the Phil O'Donnell stand entrance (image: MFCHT)

Do you have cherished Motherwell memorabilia that could take pride of place in planned bespoke exhibits at Fir Park? As we gear up to launch the first phase of an exciting heritage trail and stadium tour, we’re inviting fans to help bring our incredible history to life!

We’re looking for treasured items to feature, whether you’re happy to loan or donate. Imagine your memories becoming part of a permanent celebration of our beloved club!

What We’re Looking For:

  • Player memorabilia: Original photographs, posters, scrapbooks, newspaper cuttings, letters, or contracts.
  • Matchday memories: Tickets, travel stubs, hotel bills, or souvenirs from international competitions.
  • On-pitch treasures: Match-worn kit, training gear, boots, or goalkeeper gloves.
  • Match balls: A piece of the action that tells a story.
Concept designs for the Centenary Lounge display cabinets (image: MFCHT)

Concepts are subject to revision.

Themes We’re Showcasing:

  • Phil O’Donnell and the 1991 Scottish Cup-Winning Squad: Relive one of our proudest moments.
  • Forging the Foundations (1886-1945): Featuring legendary foreign tours, the 1930s Cup Finals, the 1931-32 League Championship, and the John Hunter era.
  • The Golden Age (1946-1964): From 1950s triumphs to the Ancell Babes and our 1964-65 Summer Cup win.
  • The Rollercoaster Years (1965-1984): Think Texaco Cup victories and iconic players like Davie Whiteford, Joe Wark, and Willie Pettigrew.
  • McLean’s Legacy (1984-1994): From league survival to Scottish Cup glory in 1991.
  • Resilience and Revival (1995-2010): Celebrate our Premier League runners-up finish, the League Cup Final, UEFA Cup nights, and the John Boyle years.
  • The New Dawn (2010-Present): Champions League and Europa League appearances, domestic finals, the rise of Motherwell Women, The Well Society, and our Community Trust.

How to Get Involved

If you have memorabilia that matches these themes, we would love to hear from you! Contact us at historian@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Please note, space is limited for this phase, but we are planning future exhibits, so your contribution could still be celebrated soon.

Even if your item isn’t physically displayed, we may wish to photograph it for use in stunning wall panels and other displays.

Got something special but not sure it fits the themes? Don’t worry! We’d be thrilled to hear from you regardless.

This is your chance to be part of Motherwell’s living history.

Don’t miss out – get in touch today and share your story !

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Celebrating Motherwell FC’s Rich Heritage and Future at Meet the Manager Evening

MFC Heritage Trust Board Members with the Club's Manager and Chief Executive (L to R: Kevin Tweedlie, Nick Mackie, Stuart Kettlewell (MFC Manager), Stuart Graham, Brian Caldwell (MFC Chief Executive) and Brian McCafferty (image: MFCHT)

On Monday evening, Fir Park’s Centenary Lounge was abuzz with excitement as The Well Society hosted the “Meet the Manager” event – which offered fans and community members an exclusive opportunity to engage with the club’s management, enjoy a showcase of memorabilia, and explore the rich history and promising future of the club.

Showcasing Our Heritage

The Motherwell FC Heritage Group proudly presented an extensive exhibition featuring trophies, memorabilia and captivating video highlights. This display was a nostalgic journey through the club’s storied past, celebrating iconic moments and legendary players who have donned the claret and amber.

“Fans were treated to a visual history lesson, sparking memories and inspiring future generations,” said Nick Mackie, member of the Heritage Group. “Some of the fans particularly enjoyed the video interview of John Martis, a famous Ancell Babe, whom they used to watch playing at Fir Park during the 1960’s !”

Manager’s Vision: Nurturing Talent and Developing Future Stars

Stuart Kettlewell, the club’s manager, shared his vision for Motherwell FC’s future. He emphasized the critical role of the club’s youth academy in developing young talent. Kettlewell spoke passionately about the importance of nurturing homegrown players and providing them with a pathway to professional football.

He also highlighted the club’s success in attracting promising players from the English leagues, offering them a platform to further develop their skills and gain valuable game time. The success stories of strikers Kevin van Veen and Theo Bair were particularly noteworthy. Both forwards thrived at Fir Park, becoming high-scoring assets in the Scottish league before advancing their careers, while the club benefited from substantial transfer fees.

A Unified Approach: Club Integration and Collaboration

Brian Caldwell, Motherwell FC’s chief executive, addressed the audience on the significance of a cohesive and integrated approach within the club. He emphasized the need for all departments—on and off the pitch—to work in harmony to achieve shared goals. This holistic strategy ensures that every aspect of the club contributes to a unified vision, strengthening Motherwell FC’s position both competitively and as a community pillar.

Derek Williams (MFC Former Players Club) and Nick Mackie at The Well Society’s 29 July 2024 Meet the Manager event (image: MFCHT)

Strengthening Community Ties

The Heritage Group’s involvement in the event underscored its commitment to preserving and celebrating the club’s history while actively contributing to its future.

“Discussions were held with the Motherwell FC Community Trust, former players, The Well Society and the Club’s Chief Executive on collaborative initiatives that could further connect the club with its supporters and the wider community, “ said Mackie.

Throughout the evening, fans engaged in vibrant conversations about the Heritage Group’s plans and how they could support future projects. The enthusiasm and dedication of the supporters were palpable, reflecting a shared passion for Motherwell FC’s heritage and aspirations.

Looking Forward

The “Meet the Manager” evening was not just a celebration of the past but a forward-looking event that set the tone for future collaborations and initiatives. The Heritage Group, alongside the club’s management and supporters, looks forward to a bright future, one that honors the legacy of Motherwell FC while fostering new generations of players and fans.

As we continue to build on this foundation, we invite all fans and community members to join us in preserving the rich history of our beloved club and supporting its ongoing journey. Together, we can ensure that Motherwell FC remains a cherished and integral part of Scottish football.