MFC Heritage Trust

News | April 5, 2026 | Exhibits, MFC Fans, MFC Heritage Trust, Trustees, Volunteers

Fan Zone Brings History to Life at Fir Park

Motherwell FC’s 140th anniversary celebrations took another step forward this weekend with the launch of a vibrant new fan zone inside the John Hunter Stand turnstile – where past and present met in spectacular style.

Delivered by the dedicated volunteers of Motherwell Football Club Heritage Trust, supporters were transported back to the club’s golden era of overseas adventure, showcasing the famous tours of 1927 and 1928. At the heart of the display were the iconic Copa del Rey trophy – won after defeating Real Madrid – and the Argentina Cup from the historic South American tour.

The response from supporters was outstanding. Fans turned out in their hundreds – including visitors from Denmark, Germany and Portugal – queuing to get a close-up look at the silverware and capture photos with these remarkable pieces of Motherwell history. For many, it was a rare chance to connect with a story that still defines the club’s identity nearly a century on.

Nick Mackie, Trustee and Head of Operations, said, “This is exactly what the Heritage Trust is about – bringing our history to life in a way supporters can see, feel and be part of. To have hundreds of fans engaging with these trophies, taking photos and sharing the moment shows just how powerful our story is. These tours put Motherwell on the world stage – and they still inspire today.”

The exhibition also marks the beginning of a wider storytelling project. The Heritage Trust has announced the upcoming release of Steve Young’s book, Well Beyond Scotland, due this autumn, charting these extraordinary tours in detail. Supporters can now register their interest and pre-order here.

Attention now turns to the next major event in the anniversary calendar. On Friday 15 May – on the eve of the final game of the season – the Heritage Trust and Former Players Club will host a special gala dinner at Dalziel Park. The evening will feature manager Jens Berthel Askou alongside club legends Willie Pettigrew, Stevie Kirk, Stephen Craigan and John Gahagan. Tickets are now available here.

Adding to the matchday experience, the fan zone also featured a barista coffee cart operated by Bean2Work, a community interest company dedicated to training people for careers in hospitality – ensuring the initiative delivers both heritage and community impact.

The fan zone is a Club initiative, working with LCL Landscaping & Groundcare to create a multi-use space between the John Hunter and Davie Cooper Stands to enhance the match day experience for supporters and visitors.

News | April 3, 2026 | Exhibits, MFC Fans, MFC Heritage Trust, Stadium Tour, Trustees

Fir Park Revamps Continue

Motherwell Football Club Heritage Trust has once again delivered at Fir Park, unveiling a striking new heritage installation within the Phil O’Donnell Stand that continues to bring the club’s story to life for visitors and supporters.

Following last year’s successful transformation of the main entrance, the Heritage Trust has now turned its attention to the staircase – creating a journey through six defining eras of Motherwell FC’s history. As fans make their way up, they are immersed in a visual timeline that captures the evolution of the club across generations.

A key element of the revamp is a series of glass panels enhanced with contravision graphics, each celebrating four iconic managers – John Hunter, George Stevenson, Bobby Ancell and Tommy McLean – alongside standout teams from their respective tenures. The effect is both modern and evocative – blending contemporary design with deep-rooted heritage to create a powerful connection between past and present.

At the first-floor landing, a large display case has been transformed into a vibrant tribute to the club’s travelling support. Featuring a colourful montage of photographs submitted by fans, the installation captures the spirit of following the ‘Well across Europe on UEFA adventures. From distant stadiums to unforgettable away days, the images tell a story that statistics alone never could.

“Miles Travelled, Songs Sung, Memories Made” perfectly encapsulates the display – highlighting the passion and loyalty of the Motherwell support, whose journeys are now permanently woven into the fabric of Fir Park.

This latest project is another example of the Heritage Trust’s commitment to preserving and showcasing the club’s rich history in innovative and engaging ways. Coming up next is a major transformation of the Davie Cooper Stand concourses, planned for over the summer.

With each new installation, Fir Park becomes not just a stadium, but a living museum – celebrating the people, moments and memories that define Motherwell Football Club.

News | April 2, 2026 | Match Programmes, MFC Fans, MFC Heritage Trust, Trustees

Holy Grail Programme Secured

Motherwell Football Club Heritage Trust has secured one of the most significant artefacts in the club’s history – an original first Motherwell FC match programme.

The programme dates from the opening game of the 1948 season, a clash between Motherwell and Rangers FC on 14 August 1948. Priced at just 2d at the time – the equivalent of roughly 50p today, adjusting for inflation – it offers a fascinating snapshot of post-war Scottish football.

Inside its pages, the programme introduces new chairman Alex McNay and new club captain Andy Paton, marking a fresh chapter in the club’s history. It is also packed with period advertising – some featuring names that may still ring familiar with ‘Well supporters today, adding to its charm and historical value.

Club Historian -and Trustee Stuart Graham described the acquisition as a landmark moment. “The hunt for the Holy Grail, the very first Motherwell home programme, is over,“ he enthused. “I’ve seen seven in my lifetime of collecting – it’s an incredibly rare one. Now it’s in the safekeeping of the Heritage Trust.”

Original Motherwell FC programmes from this era are exceptionally scarce. Only 200 of this first edition were printed and 143 were actually sold – with only a handful known to have survived. This makes the Trust’s acquisition all the more remarkable

The programme was secured for £500, funded through donations from fans continue to play a vital role in enabling the Trust to rescue and preserve irreplaceable pieces of Motherwell’s history.

As the club celebrates its 140th anniversary, this latest addition will be showcased in future exhibitions and stadium tours, offering fans a rare opportunity to connect with a defining moment in the club’s past.

It is another powerful example of the Trust’s mission in action: preserving our past, protecting our future – and ensuring that the story of Motherwell FC lives on for generations to come

News | March 31, 2026 | Exhibits, MFC Fans, MFC Heritage Trust, Trustees, Well Society

Heritage Trust Brings Motherwell’s Story to Life at Well Society AGM

Motherwell Football Club Heritage Trust received a lot of attention at Monday evening’s Well Society AGM, bringing the club’s remarkable story to life for supporters in attendance.

A specially curated display showcased rare memorabilia spanning the club’s 140-year history, offering fans a tangible connection to the generations who have worn claret and amber.

Among the standout exhibits were two iconic trophies from Motherwell’s pioneering overseas adventures – the Copa del Rey from 1927 and the Argentina Cup from 1928 – powerful symbols of a club that once carried its name across continents.

The evening also marked the launch of the Trust’s upcoming publication, Well Beyond Scotland, a compelling new book charting Motherwell’s extraordinary tours to Spain and France, South America, and two visits to South Africa. Drawing on meticulous research and storytelling, the book highlights a period when the Steelmen were true global trailblazers.

As author Steve Young notes: “In 1927, Motherwell were invited to compete for a version of the Copa del Rey in Spain. The following year, South America beckoned. In the early 1930s, they sailed to South Africa, twice. The club were paid handsomely to make each of these trips. Crucially, these ventures were not just sporting milestones but financial lifelines. The revenue generated helped sustain the club – and may well have underpinned Motherwell’s greatest achievement: winning the Scottish League title in 1931/32.”

Alongside celebrating the past, the Trust also promoted the upcoming 140th Anniversary Gala Dinner at Dalziel Park, on Friday 15th May. The event promises to be a unique blend of football and theatre, with club legends such as Willie Pettigrew, Stevie Kirk, Stephen Craigan and John Gahagan joined by special guests including Dougie Arnott and John Martis as well as dramatised performances bringing historic figures like Mrs Baillie, John Hunter, George Stevenson and Bobby Ancell vividly back to life.

Monday evening perfectly captured the Trust’s mission – preserving the past while inspiring the future.

‘Well Beyond Scotland can be ordered now, here

Tickets to the 140^th Gala Dinner can be booked here

News | March 30, 2026 | MFC Fans, MFC Heritage Trust, Podcast, Trustees, Well Society

Heritage Trust Feature Wins Praise on Well Society Podcast

Motherwell Football Club Heritage Trust has earned glowing feedback from supporters following its appearance on Episode 5 of the Well Society’s Our Club, Our Podcast.

The latest instalment features an engaging and insightful conversation between Well Society hosts, Derek Watson and Stephen Reside, with Club Historian Stuart Graham and Trustee Nick Mackie – offering fans a deep dive into the club’s rich and unique history.

The episode explores the importance of preserving Motherwell’s heritage while drawing compelling comparisons between past and present sides – from the iconic “Ancell Babes” to the modern team under Jens Berthel Askou. Supporters have praised the discussion for its warmth, depth and authenticity, with many describing it as “a must-listen” for anyone who cares about the club’s story.

A central theme is the growing role of the MFC Heritage Trust in bringing history to life — from cataloguing memorabilia and developing exhibitions, to creating new ways for fans to connect with the club’s past. The conversation highlights how these efforts are helping to strengthen the bond between generations of supporters.

The appearance forms part of the Well Society’s wider commitment to celebrating the identity and heritage of Motherwell FC and working with the Trust to engage fans in meaningful and lasting ways.

Episode 5 of Our Club, Our Podcast is now available to watch on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6anPUVC8kgM – and listen to across all major podcast platforms.

Supporters are encouraged to tune in and discover – or rediscover – the stories that have shaped the Steelmen.