Motherwell F.C. History

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#OTD 8 November 1886 Andrew Donaldson was born in Mossend. Between 1906 and 1907 he made 63 appearances for Motherwell scoring 15 goals. His playing career finished c.1922 and from 1925/26 until 1939/40 he was the assistant trainer at Fir Park and was a member of the touring party of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay in 1928. In his playing career he made over 500 appearances for Motherwell, Celtic, Airdrie and Third Lanark. It’s reported that he continued as groundsman with Motherwell until he was 83. Can anyone supply information to confirm this? He died in 1980 aged 93 in Clelland, North Lanarkshire. Images of his passport used during the South America tour along with a medal given to all the touring party by the Board of Directors of the Argentine Amateurs Football Association. Both now on display within the Fir Park boardroom. mfcheritagetrust.org

A great player for us.

#OTD 5 November 1957 John Martis was signed by manager Bobby Ancell from Royal Albert. A native of Motherwell and an apprentice plumber, signed hopefully to stop any “leaks” in a defence after the departure on a free transfer of legendary captain, Andy Paton who moved across the Clyde to play for Hamilton Accies. According to the 1958-59 club handbook he was 5’ 11” and 11st when he arrived. He made his debut on 2 January 1958 in a 3-1 win over Hibs at Fir Park. John recalls how it happened. “Motherwell had played on New Years Day at Airdrie losing 4-1. At that time, they were losing centre-halfs through injury as though there was no tomorrow. Drew Paton was the first to be injured followed by Archie Shaw. Then came Willie Cowie and finally Jim Forrest. We were due to play Hibs and Andy Weir and myself had reported at the ground at mid-day to board the bus for the reserve game at Easter Road. Mr Ancell told us to go home and come back at 2 o’clock – we were playing in the first team. To say I was excited was total understatement. Playing against Joe Baker aided and abetted by the legendary Lawrie Reilly was dream material. Happy to say we won 3-1, a great day”. John’s early football prowess shone through at primary school level. Selected for Motherwell & Wishaw Burgh Schools side, they went on to win the Scottish Schools Under-12 Cup in 1952 with a side containing a galaxy of future talent in the shape of Joe Baker, Bobby McCallum, Sammy Reid and Jim Conway. The interesting aspect of that side was the occupant of the outside left berth – a certain John Martis. “It was my former Boys’ Brigade captain who converted me into a centre half. My father and Archie Shaw had developed a firm friendship and through that association I was invited to train at Fir Park. I played in a friendly for the club against Royal Albert at Larkhall and eventually agreed to join the Junior club. Mr Ancell was still keen for me to come to Fir Park, but with Royal Albert engaged in the Scottish Junior Cup I would only sign for Motherwell once the Albert had been knocked out of the competition. It took about 5 games to beat Strathclyde Juniors followed by Douglas Water Thistle taking us apart to the tune of 5-0 in the next round. 1957 was the year I signed for Motherwell and I spent 12 very happy years at Fir Park” In his first full season of 1958-59 he played in 30 out of 34 league games. He was only 18 year old when he played in a ‘Well team that lost 3-2 in a Scottish Cup semi-final v Clyde on 5th April 1958 with Charlie Aitken hitting the bar in injury time. On 26th September 1960 he played in a 3-0 friendly win over Bahia of Brazil. John also played in a floodlit friendly v Flamengo of Brazil on 26th April 1960 when ‘Well won 9-2, scorers were Ian St John (6) Willie Hunter (2) and Pat Quinn (1). In that Flamengo side that night was a player named Gerson de Oliveira Nunes, who was later commonly known as Gerson and played in the brilliant Brazilian World Cup winning team of 1970. John gained one full Scotland cap on 22 October 1960 in a 2-0 defeat to Wales in Cardiff. Essentially a defender, there must have been the occasional goal in the Martis scrapbook that took pride of place and stretched the waistcoat buttons? “I think on balance there were as many own goals as there were good goals. Funnily enough when helping renovate and redecorate my daughter’s flat under the carpets we found an old newspaper which faithfully recorded one of the few Martis goals. It’s now a very valuable newspaper and a prized family heirloom”. The match which probably tingles the Martis memories most of all was the March 1961 3rd Round Scottish Cup tie against Rangers. “We were losing 2-0 at Fir Park but an Ian St John goal before half-time reduced the lead and in the second half Bert McCann found an equaliser. Rangers were down to 10 men when Jim Baxter was injured, but we held on and managed to force a draw. The 5-2 win in the replay at Ibrox on 1stMarch before 80,000 must go down as probably one of Motherwell’s best results”. Here is a quote from captain Willie McSeveney about that night “I turned to the dug out to check how long was left and they told me that there were 5 minutes left. I turned to Bert McCann and let him know and he shouted back that he wished there were 5 hours as it was just one of those great nights!” The team that memorable night was Weir, Delaney, McSeveney; Aitken, Martis, McCann; Hunter, Quinn, St John, McPhee, Roberts. John scored only 2 league goals whilst wearing claret and amber, both against Partick Thistle, a late winner in a 2-1 victory on 18 January 1964 and in a 5-0 win on 11 March 1967. He was named ‘Player of The Year’ in seasons 1965/66 & 1966/67. Perhaps a modicum of itchy feet materialised, encouraging John to try his luck abroad. South Africa beckoned and in January 1969 off went this Lanarkshire plumber to hopefully repair any leaks in the defence of the Cape Town club Hellenic, in a deal reported to be in the region of £2,500. Administered by a Greek consortium the mixed-race side failed after a mere two months, and two games played to hold the Martis interest. A return to his grass roots in Scotland was imminent. Former colleague Pat Quinn was still parading his soccer skills with East Fife and was instrumental in having manager Jimmy Bonthrone persuading the far travelling Mr Martis to drop his anchor at Bayview Park. John wore the black & gold colours with distinction for another 6 years operating under the successive managerial directions of Bill Baxter and Pat Quinn. East Fife achieved promotion in season 1970-71 with John at the helm. He made over 200 appearances for the Methil team before he stopped playing in 1975. In just over 11 years at Fir Park he played in 295 League games scoring 2 goals. He played 59 League Cup games and 30 Scottish Cup games. Add to these totals Lanarkshire Cup and friendly games his record with the ‘Well is up there with the best, maybe as much as 400 games. John is justly proud of the Motherwell Former Players’ Club and was once Chairman taking over from Wilson Humphries. The club’s regular get together is the only such organisation in the Scottish game and provides a welcome platform for many a nostalgic reunion. One function was a Dinner held with Drew Paton and Jimmy Watson being the proud recipients of a well-deserved presentation. The family home is only a good free kick away from Fir Park and in the unlikely event of any stray balls landing in the Martis front garden they’ll be despatched back into play with the same panache as was evident from his playing days at Fir Park. He was inducted into Motherwell FC Hall of Fame in 2021. This is only a brief summary of his long career whilst wearing claret and amber and the black and gold of East Fife, but it can be clearly seen that he is one of MFC legends and will long be remembered as one of THE ANCELL BABES.

I'm looking for help to identify the team in the dark top. Motherwell (Archie Kelly) v ? at Fir Park, season ? The words Young (Aberdeen?) appear in reverse at the bottom of the photo.

#OTD 1 November 2025, Dougie Henderson retired from his duties at Fir Park after 53 years’ service to the club, those duties included turnstiles and security operations. His father Jack gave 63 years’ service to the club whilst performing similar duties.

A wee bit of perspective for Motherwell fans wanting the current manager sacked. On Wednesday 1 November 2023 Motherwell lost 4-2 to Aberdeen at Fir Park, leaving them with having secured only one point out of a possible 18. Have patience 'Well fans 🎢

#OTD in the programme for the game against St Mirren on 1 November 1988, it states that the club would like to introduce Ball Boys for 1st and reserve team games. The first Ball Boys were named in the programme for the game against Hearts on 26 November, they were Ewan Campbell, Stuart Martin, Stephen Park & John Clelland with Derek Chalmers as 1st reserve. Wonder if they're Motherwell fans now.

#OTD 29 October 1966 The Fir Park Social Club was officially opened by Charlie Aitken, photo below. It was formed and opened to members on 16 September 1966. mfcheritagetrust.org

#OTD 28 October 1950 Motherwell beat Hibernian 3-0 at Hampden in the League Cup Final. Goals by Archie Kelly, Willie Watters & Jim Forrest. Attendance 64,000. Programmes from games played in that campaign and autos of some of that squad. mfcheritagetrust.org

53 years ago!!!! 😱Davie Whiteford was ‘freed’ around w/e 27 October 1973. Earlier in the season he asked for a transfer when he couldn’t agree to terms with Motherwell, eventually joining Falkirk. My favourite Motherwell right back and a member of Motherwell Former Players Club.

Motherwell legends in a stunning kit.❤️ mfcheritagetrust.org

Classic Motherwell kits, worn by a few legends.❤️ mfcheritagetrust.org

#OTD 17 October 2020 the game against St Mirren was postponed as Saints were unable to field a team because of players isolating due to Covid-19. On 3 December the SPFL awarded 'Well a 3-0 win, however on 14 January 2021 St Mirren were successful in an appeal to the SPFL, the game was replayed.

#OTD 17 October 1998 Billy Davies took charge of a Motherwell side for the first time. Unfortunately it was a 5-0 loss to St Johnstone in Perth.