Only four miles separate Fir Park and New Douglas Park but there is a gulf in stature between the two clubs. The many years when Hamilton plodded on in the lower divisions took a toll on the standing of the club and their rare visits to the top level tend to be short lived. 
A massive gap in league derbies was ended in September 2008 when a double from Porter settled the game in Motherwell's favour. There were 4 SPL meetings that season and the Mighy 'Well triumphed in three with only one reverse. However, the Accies also emerged with credit thanks to a slightly fortunate League Cup win at Fir Park.
It might come as no surprise that a meeting with Hamilton was the first to be organised after Motherwell's formation in 1886. Messrs McPherson, Kemp and Murray got us off to the perfect start in a 3-2 win at the Roman Road ground. Since then the head-to-head records suggest that from 109 fixtures we have 56 wins, 22 draws and 31 defeats.
Our last visit to the old Douglas Park was in January 1989 when our rivals won the day with a 2-0 score-line but we had the last laugh that season as the Accies were to be relegated - the start of a near two decade banishment to the lower leagues.
When they returned it was with a shiny new stadium - well, half a stadium as their finances stretched to only two stands. Motherwell's first visit was for a pre-season friendly in July 2003 when a goal from Adams was needed to spare our blushes.
While the tradition of a supporters' march across the Clyde Bridge from Motherwell to Hamilton might have faded in modern times there remains a tingle when we play the Accies. Bring them on!