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Holy Grail Programme Secured

Front and back pages of Motherwell FC's first match programme - one of 200 printed (MFCHT Collection)

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.

Inside pages of Motherwell FC's first match programme (MFCHT Collection)

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

centre pages of Motherwell FC's first match programme showing line-ups (MFCHT Collection)

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

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

images from The Well Society AGM, 30th March 2026

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 140th Gala Dinner can be booked here

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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.

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140 Years - Anniversary Gala Dinner

The Motherwell FC 140th Anniversary Dinner, taking place on Friday 15 May 2026, will bring together some of the club’s most celebrated figures from across the decades, including legendary goalscorer Willie Pettigrew, Scottish Cup Final winning goalscorer Stevie Kirk, captain and Hall of Fame defender Stephen Craigan, and one of Scotland’s leading after-dinner speakers, a former Steelman, John Gahaghan.

Hosted by Motherwell Football Club Heritage Trust and Former Players, tickets for this fantastic celebration are now on sale, inviting supporters to join an unforgettable evening honouring the people, moments, and memories that have shaped the club’s remarkable history – while also marking an important new step in preserving that legacy for the future.

For full details plus booking your place, head to https://weareeventpal.com/MFCHeritage2026

Places are limited – early booking is highly recommended.

Tickets: £69

Looking forward to seeing you there.

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New Strategic Cooperation

Derek Williams joins the Board of MFC Heritage Trust, proposed by MFC Former Players Club (image: MFCHT)

Motherwell Football Club Heritage Trust is delighted to announce a new strategic cooperation with the Motherwell FC Former Players Club – a natural and exciting alliance that brings together the custodians of the club’s history with the players who created it on the pitch.

The collaboration marks an important step forward in the Trust’s mission to preserve, communicate, and make accessible the club’s rich heritage. By working hand-in-hand with the former players who shaped so many memorable moments in claret and amber, the Trust aims to develop even more engaging heritage experiences for supporters, visitors, and the wider community.

Together, the two organisations will explore new projects with the club that celebrate Motherwell’s proud history, strengthen supporter engagement, and ensure the stories behind the achievements live on for future generations. From heritage events and exhibitions to supporter-focused initiatives, the cooperation will help bring the club’s past closer than ever to its fans.

As part of the new alliance, the Former Players Club will be represented on the Heritage Trust’s Board of Trustees, ensuring that the voices and experiences of those who wore the shirt are embedded in the Trust’s future plans. The Trust welcomes Derek Williams to the Board and look forward to the insight and experience he will bring to the charity.

Derek joined Motherwell FC from Fir Park Boys Club in 1978, progressing through the club ranks at the turn of the 1980s before moving on to Darvel in 1982. He is currently  active with the Former Players’ Club committee and plays a hands-on role in organising its highly regarded events, including the annual Former Players Dinner and a range of guest speaker evenings.

“This cooperation represents an ideal fit for both groups,” explains Brian McCafferty, the Heritage Trust’s Chair. “Combining the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding Motherwell FC’s history with the first-hand knowledge and passion of the players who helped create it, we look forward to delivering new heritage and engagement opportunities that supporters can enjoy for many years to come.”

“The Former Players Club is delighted to be working more closely with the Heritage Trust,” says Derek Williams. “The history of Motherwell FC lives not only in photographs and memorabilia, but in the memories and experiences of the players who represented the club, and this cooperation allows us to share those stories in a much stronger and more meaningful way.”

The Motherwell FC Former Players Club performs an important role in maintaining connections between those who wore the claret and amber around the world. Through its fundraising activities, the organisation also supports visits to elderly supporters to help rekindle cherished memories, provides assistance to the families of late former players, and contributes to charitable causes – with this year’s chosen charity being the Stonehouse based Trust Jack Foundation, which supports those suffering with a mental health illness.

Motherwell Football Club Heritage Trust exists to protect and celebrate the history of Motherwell FC by preserving collections of memorabilia, developing heritage displays within the stadium, organising events, and building a growing online virtual museum. With ambitious plans in the pipeline, the Trust aims to take the storytelling of the club’s history to a new level for today’s supporters, football fans around the world, our local community, and future generations.

Together, the Heritage Trust and the Former Players Club look forward to working closely to celebrate the club’s proud past while creating new opportunities for supporters to connect with the people, moments, and stories that define Motherwell Football Club.