2024 delivered a solid year on the pitch and a very significant change in the leadership of the club.
A spring revival led to a ninth place in May. Steady progress, despite an ever present injury list, resulted in a top half presence by the end of the year. A fierce debate over the future direction of the club resulted in a reaffirmation of Motherwell as a fan owned and controlled institution.
The year started with a point at Easter Road as the transfer window opened. The recall by Arsenal of Mika Biereth was a blow and the squad was short in the forward department. The gap was filled by Theo Bair’s transformation. Two goals in his first 20 appearances then 13 in the remainder of the season kept Motherwell out of the danger zone. He left for Auxerre in July for a reported fee of £1.4 million.
January saw Motherwell grab media attention with a YouTube video that flagged the club board’s willingness to attract inward investment. Chairman Jim McMahon had long argued that an external income stream was needed if the club was to remain competitive.
The search resulted in an offer from Eric Barmack and the big debate kicked off. The board of the Well Society, the club’s major shareholder, was split with the majority rejecting the deal. The notion was that the Society’s shareholding was dip below 50% and that the American would fill McMahon’s vacated chair. An alternative plan was hastily brought forward and an effective social media campaign soon won the Society members support. It became clear that the vast majority of Society members would vote NO and the bid was withdrawn.
It remains a mystery to many that McMahon, who had been one of the architects of the transfer of ownership to supporters, would countenance such a significant reduction in fan control.
It is to the credit of Stuart Kettlewell and the newly appointed CEO Brian Caldwell that the football side of the club was able to retain focus through those months of uncertainty.
Changes at the top came with the appointment of Phillip Speedie to lead the Society with Kyle McMillan chairing the club’s executive board. A refreshed enthusiasm is evident.
The Scottish Cup challenge failed with a loss to Morton after Alloa’s initial resistance was overcome.
The winter window came with 9 leavers and 6 arrivals with only Jack Vale to bolster the forward line.
Ross County were thumped 5-0 at home (then 5-1 away) and three goals in a blistering opening spell at Pittodrie were clawed back to claim a point. A seven game unbeaten run was enough to end the threat of a play-off. The highlight was a historic league win at Ibrox in March. Those happy few present in the away corner celebrated as the home crowd left the stadium.
May arrived to give the manager a chance for squad renewal. The significant departures were of Liam Kelly and Blair Spittal with Bair soon to follow.
Tony Watt returned on loan from Dundee United to cap a busy ‘Well window. Cash was splashed for Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and a 21 year old Zimbabwean, Tawanda Maswanhise, was given an initial six month contract.
The League Cup section was complete and wins over Kilmarnock and Dundee United sent us to Hampden for a semi-final with Rangers.
A mix of results ended the year with a 2-2 draw against Rangers and a share of fifth place. A thrilling 4-3 win over United was a highlight while a disappointing loss to Dundee following an international break was a low.
Lennon Miller continued to serve at a high level despite his tender years. He captained the side in the absence of Paul McGinn and Stephen O’Donnell but the whispers suggest that he will move on for a hefty fee in January.
Lennon Miller leads us out at Hampden
The manager ended the year with a red card in a draw with Rangers but he can be content with his efforts since his appointment in 2023. He was awarded a new rolling contract in August 2024.