Our first competitive game is less than a fortnight away and there is much work to be done. The Icelanders from Breidablik are not short of match practice, their league season started in May and they are second in the table after nine games. It follows that we have to make the best of the meetings on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
First up is a visit to Glebe Park for a 7.45pm kick off on Tuesday. Jim Weir has had his team on the training ground for a week as they prepare for their season in Division 2. Gate prices are £6 and £3.
On Thursday we take on Forfar at Station Park. Gate prices are again £6/£3 but the kick off is a 7.30pm. This will be the Loons first outing since Dick Campbell lead them to promotion from Division 3 in May.
The last of the three friendly games will be at Somerset Park at 3pm on Saturday. Ayr are starting their centenary season and they will be keen to show that their relegation to Division 2 (on the last game of the season) can be reversed. Prices are £12 and £6.
Pre-season games are usually poor value for fans. Neither team is fully committed and wholesale substitutions can destroy any rhythm that might have developed. Motherwell fans will be keen to have a first look at the new faces brought in by Craig Brown; ‘keepers Hollis and Randolf and defender Charalambous.
If the games can be played at a decent pace and the players get a hard workout then the benefits will set us up well for the Europa League game at Fir Park on July 15.