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“Whoever we’re up against, we’ll give it 100%.” Jamie Knight-Lebel looks ahead to our second leg against SC Freiburg. “Whoever we’re up against, we’ll give it 100%.” Jamie Knight-Lebel looks ahead to our second leg against SC Freiburg. What a few weeks it has been for Motherwell Football Club. The number of supporters attending matches at Fir Park, on the road domestically and in Europe has been exceptional. Indeed, for the last 12 months crowd numbers have been significantly up, and we can’t thank you enough for all of your support. The players and staff will never, ever take for granted the effort it takes for you to follow the team. With over 1,400 Motherwell fans preparing to jet off to Germany later this week, the excitement is high for what will be an excellent trip for everyone to make memories on the continent with their friends and family. However, as we stated last week, the club received fines of almost €20,000 for fan-related issues that had been flagged by UEFA. We were fined €4,000 due to the blocking of passageways in the John Hunter Stand at Fir Park against Havnar Boltfelag. In Helsinki against HJK, we were fined €15,000 for a group of Motherwell supporters who leapt over the barrier and LED advertising before entering the field of play. The last time we played in European competition, we also received two fines for fan-related incidents. Since communicating these recent fines, the club has received the cost of the repair work that HJK require for their LED advertisement boards. It is estimated that this will cost the club over €74,000. Between this and the UEFA fines, we have already incurred fines / costs of close to €100,000 this season. We are not targeting a specific group of supporters or anyone in particular for these matters, but if you know you jumped over the barrier, or even worse, entered the field of play, you know who you are. And we’re asking you to please restrain yourself should another celebratory moment arise. This moment created a lot of uncertainty, and the safety of the fans was compromised, as anyone could have been injured. Last week during our home match at Fir Park against SC Freiburg, despite our calls for everyone to remain in the stands, UEFA flagged supporters jumping over the wall from the John Hunter Stand. Even one supporter entering the field of play is regarded by UEFA as a pitch incursion, and this is subject to an ongoing disciplinary decision. A second offence results in a minimum penalty of a further €24,000. We fully appreciate how big these moments are, and we can all get a bit carried away. But such behaviour is taking things too far, and it’s causing a financial strain on the football club, as well as the further risk of harsher punishments growing. The club has previously received fines, costs of damage to away stadiums and suspended ticket sanctions for other fan-related issues domestically. These have totalled almost £15,000 in recent seasons. We therefore need everyone to continue supporting the team, but in a responsible and safe manner. Please don’t be the person who causes stadium damage or brings further sanctions/fines on the club. We want more people to be in the stands, not less. So, with this in mind, the football club would like to wish everyone a safe trip to Freiburg. We cannot wait to see a sea of claret and amber in the away end on Thursday night and throughout the day. Everyone to Freiburg. A detailed guide for all supporters travelling to Freiburg. Tickets are on sale and you can buy yours by CLICKING HERE. | Sector & Category | Price | | N6 Standing | €15 | | N7 Standing | €15 | | N6 Wheelchair | €9 | | N7 Wheelchair | €9 | | N16 Seated | €20 | | N17 Seated | €20 | The match is being broadcast live on Premier Sports. It is to be dry all day on Thursday, with sunny intervals and light breezes. Temperatures will be around 30 degrees at kick off. We want to remind all supporters that unacceptable conduct will not be tolerated. We ask all supporters to enjoy the match responsibly. In UEFA matches, UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body can issue and distribute a range of punishments against the football club, including fines, partial stadium bans, away ticket bans, etc. The club has been fined over €20,000 so far during our Conference League matches. These fines have been distributed due to crowd-related issues that have been flagged by UEFA. Just one supporter coming over the barrier at the front of the stand constitutes a pitch incursion, and the club will be sanctioned once again. We appeal to all our supporters to please adhere to all stadium guidelines to avoid further financial punishment for the club. The use of pyrotechnics, pitch incursions, throwing objects, use of laser pointers and any discriminatory behaviour can result in any individual receiving a club ban, a football banning order as well as harsher punishments. We encourage all supporters to get behind the team on what is a huge European night for the football club in a safe and responsible manner. Motherwell B face Alloa Athletic in their second KDM Evolution Trophy match. They travel to Indodrill Stadium on Tuesday 25 August. Kick off is 7:45pm. You can buy your tickets online by CLICKING HERE. Car parking is available at Morrisons and town centre car parks. There is no charge. There is a communal disabled area under the main stand, which offers cover from inclement weather. Motherwell take on SC Freiburg in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League playoff tie at the Europa-Park-Stadion on Thursday 27 August. Kick off is 6:45pm (5:45pm UK Time). Tickets are on sale and you can buy yours by CLICKING HERE. Supporters can buy a maximum of four tickets per order. We have been given over 2000 tickets to sell. We have sold 1,400 tickets already for the match and wish all supporters a safe trip to Germany. | Sector & Category | Price | | N6 Standing | €15 | | N7 Standing | €15 | | N6 Wheelchair | €9 | | N7 Wheelchair | €9 | | N16 Seated | €20 | | N17 Seated | €20 | The match is being broadcast live on Premier Sports. A group of Motherwell supporters are gathering at Münsterplatz from 2pm, and will walk to Freiburg HBF at 4:45pm. Supporters will then be getting trams to the stadium. A full supporters guide will be published later this week for those travelling to Germany. It is to be dry all on Thursday, with sunny intervals and light breezes. Temperatures will be around 30 degrees at kick off. The Steelmen enjoyed a free weekend having postponed their match against Aberdeen. This allowed for some much needed rest and recovery following a heavy schedule. In the first leg, Stephen O’Donnell returned to action as he came on as a second-half substitute. Eythor Bjørgolfsson and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos were both named in the UEFA squad list for this tie, but their fitness will be assessed ahead of travel. Freiburg played their first competitive match in Germany on Sunday, playing a German Cup match against Fortuna Dusseldorf. Freiburg cruised into the next round, winning 5-1 away from home. Igor Matanovic scored twice, despite not starting the match. Talented young goalkeeper, Kayla Scott has joined the club permanently from Celtic. The Celtic academy graduate has risen through the ranks at Parkhead, whilst gaining senior experience for Ayr United last season. “I’m really pleased and excited to be at Motherwell,” Scott said. “It’s an incredible opportunity for myself to learn from the talented goalkeepers already at the club, and try to compete for experience in the Scottish top-flight. “I can’t wait to get started.” The youngster has featured alongside several current and former Motherwell players internationally, representing the Scottish schools team alongside Emma Thomson, Laura Berry, Mia McArthur, Lily Boyce, Sophie Black, Sophia Martin, and Lucy Barclay. “We’re really happy to get this move over the line,” Head Coach Iain Robinson added. “Kayla is a very talented young goalkeeper, that is eager to compete for game time at this level. “It is the perfect opportunity for her to develop whilst raising competition for the goalkeepers already at the club. Serbian international midfielder, Mary Stanić-Floody has today completed a permanent move to the club from Canberra United. The 20-year-old, who broke through the ranks at Football New South Wales, and latterly North West Sydney Spirit FC has accomplished much in her short tenure in the Australian footballing pyramid. Stanić-Floody joined A-League side, Sydney FC, ahead of the 2021-22 season – making her debut for the club at only 15-years-old against Western Sydney Wanderers. Despite expectedly playing a brief role in the matchday squad – Stanić-Floody instantly experienced success, lifting the Premiership title that season. The following year, the youngster made 14-appearances, as Sydney FC won both the Premiership and the Championship. “I’m absolutely delighted to have joined Motherwell,” Stanić-Floody said. “It has been an absolute whirlwind of a week for myself, moving across the world, but this is an opportunity I’m incredibly excited by. “As soon as I heard of the interest, I was ecstatic, and really eager to get it over the line.” Following her departure from Sydney FC, Stanić-Floody joined Canberra United, making her debut in a 4-4 draw against Adelaide United, with her first professional goal soon following in a 5-1 home win over Brisbane Roar. In her second season at the club, Stanić-Floody was nominated for the A-League Women Young Footballer of the Year award. “We are extremely pleased to welcome Mary to the club,” Head Coach Iain Robinson added. “Mary is a very talented young midfielder, and someone we’ve worked really hard to get to the club. “We can’t wait to see her getting started in claret and amber this season. ” Internationally, Stanić-Floody is eligible to represent Australia, Republic of Ireland or Serbia, with the midfielder representing Australia throughout various age categories. She scored the winning goal against Vietnam in the final of the 2022 AFF U-18 Women’s Championship in Palembang, Indonesia. Despite representing Australia throughout her youth career, Stanić-Floody made the decision to represent the Serbian National team – receiving her first senior call-up in a friendly against Slovenia. The women of steel have their sights set on redemption after a frustrating display on the opening weekend of the Scottish Power Women’s premier League against Hibernian in the Scottish capital. Motherwell’s impressive performance in the Sky Sports League Cup Group Stage failed to materialise last weekend, as recently dethroned champions, Hibernian placed seven past the visitors at Meadowbank Stadium. Iain Robinson’s side must now return to East Kilbride for their first home fixture, as they cross the Edinburgh divide by welcoming Hearts to the Bumblebee Stadium. Motherwell Head Coach Iain Robinson named four summer additions in the starting XI at Meadowbank, with Ellie MacDonald and Eva Thomson both making their Scottish Power Women’s Premier League debut for the club. The returning Mia McArthur and Lucy Sinclair made their second competitive league debut for the club. Five other summer acquisitions completed the bench, with Sophie Rutherford, Justine Strain, Olivia McStay, Leah Sidey, and Morgan Anderson earning a place amongst the substitutes. The challenges won’t come any easier for the women of steel, as they welcome defending champions, Hearts this weekend. Hearts Defending champions, Hearts have already started their title defence in scintillating fashion, drilling six past visitors Aberdeen at the Oriam. Despite head Coach Eva Olid departing the club for English and European giants, Manchester United – the Jambos have showed no signs of slowing their desire to reclaim their title. Five different goalscorers etched their name onto the scoresheet, with Venezuelan striker and recent addition Mariana Speckmaier netting her first in maroon. Ticket Information Tickets can be purchased through the matchday turnstiles at the Ross Commercial Finance Stadium at K-Park. Both cash and card payments are accepted. Additional Information – no pets allowed within The Bumblebee Stadium – previously named The Ross Commercial Finance Stadium at K-Park. Matchday Travel Follow our live matchday coverage on the Motherwell Women X (formerly Twitter) account. There is no doubt that Sunday was a hugely disappointing afternoon for everyone. Suffering the first competitive defeat of the season and exiting the Premier Sports Cup at the first obstacle was always going to hurt. Alex Lowry may not have started the match, but being introduced as a half-time substitute, it hurt him just as much as anyone to perform below par. But manager Alfred Johansson said after the game that reaction is going to be important, and he believes this group of players will show the correct one in the coming weeks. “It was obviously a bad afternoon,” Lowry stated. “This is one of these moments that we have to move on from quickly. The game on Thursday was the ideal match to go into next because it was a European night and the boys were excited and up for the challenge. “When the tie came out of the draw, there were mixed emotions. But it’s the perfect European game to go and test ourselves in. We’ve come through the last two ties really well. We’ve not spoken too much about it, if at all, before the Helsinki match in the dressing room. “The way we played against Helsinki, who are a staple European team, was impressive. Freiburg were very good, and it was us going up another level, but if we stick to the manager’s game plan, play at our very best and leave nothing out there, who knows what can happen? “These European nights feel so special. The full day of build-up, like last Thursday when it’s sunny all day and then, in the nighttime, the game comes along and everyone descends on the stadium. It was incredible, and I’m sure Thursday will be even better. “We’re a brand new team, and these games have allowed us to learn and gel really quickly, which I think has been apparent in the games we’ve played so far. European games are a different type of game. The other night against Helsinki, we stuck to our game plan really well, and you see what comes from that. There are the small things you learn too, like how the game gets played and how the referee controls the game. It’s been a good learning curve so far, and hopefully we can take that into next week.” When Alex Lowry joined on loan in July from Wycombe, Motherwell had just played the first leg of their second qualifying round tie against HB. Johansson had made it clear that the midfielder would need a period of integration and build-up. However, with the number of games, tight schedule and a growing list of players unavailable, the former Rangers man has had to bed in quickly, and there hasn’t been the slow process that he may have initially thought. “To be fair, I’ve loved it,” he laughed. “When the manager said he was going to build me in slowly, my initial reaction was like, ‘Ok, I’m not gutted about it, but just throw me into it. ‘ To be fair, he’s been amazing. He’s played me in a lot of games and has put his trust in me really early on, and I just want to repay him for that with my performances. Against Helsinki, I thought I was good in the second-half and with the games going Thursday and Sunday over the last few weeks, there have been so many games, and with us having a smaller squad currently, the number of minutes you play is higher. “When it’s Thursday-Sunday games, we’re in every day, and it can get draining. But I’m loving being back up the road and being in the club every day as much as the next person. For some boys, it can be hard, but the manager understands what we need during this busy period. He said we’ll not feel the best every single day, and it’s about making sure you’re ready as best as you possibly can.” Lowry departed for England at the start of 2025, and having family from the local area and coming through at Rangers, it was always in his mind to try and get back to Scotland during the summer. He is highly-thought of in Scotland and, as a result, had a number of opportunities presented to him. But when Motherwell came calling, Lowry knew his mind was already made up. “I’ve had a stop-start 18 months down in England,” he explained. “When the interest came in from Motherwell, I said to my agent and to my family that this was where I wanted to be, and they were all fully behind it. My family wanted me back up the road too, I think, just so they could see me enjoying my football again. “Watching a lot of the Motherwell games last year and seeing what they were going to try and do this season, it was clear that this environment was perfect for me to try and kick on. The style of play is incredible, the fans are immense, and the whole club is on a high just now. “It’s just been a case of integrating myself into that and trying to show everyone what I could do early on. I love to feel valued and important, but if I’m honest, I didn’t think I’d feel as crucial this early on in my time here. It’s been amazing, and I’ve thrived off the responsibility on my shoulders. It’s all down to the manager. “I watched a lot of the games last year, and I spoke to the manager about what he wanted to do this season. So style of play is important, but for me, it was more about the team looking like they wanted to win all the time. Last Sunday when we drew with Falkirk, it genuinely felt like a defeat because we want to win every game. That’s the mentality. “I’ve carried that mentality wherever I’ve been, and I want everyone to have that here, which I think is apparent already. The boys know we’re a good team on our day, and we need to start performing week in, week out. The way the club is going, that’s the expectation.” Now back in familiar territory, Lowry is settling down for a 12-month stint in North Lanarkshire. The last 18 months have been one of frustration for him, but now he has a chance to show everyone the levels he can reach in a team he feels comfortable in. “Look, this season I just want to play as many games as possible and have a smile on my face whilst I’m doing it,” the Wycombe loanee said. “The manager has made it clear what he needs from me in this system. He needs me to be safe on the ball in our own half to help the structure, and in the final third, I have to go and create, which is perfect for me. That’s the way I want to play, and hopefully I can chip in with some goals. “I just want to help the team, and him giving me that licence to go and pick the ball up in areas maybe other teams wouldn’t want you to is exciting. He’s put a lot of faith in me, which I’ve loved, and he’s playing me in games where I would’ve maybe thought he wouldn’t. “You’re going into training every day and thinking how high the level is. We have a lot of senior boys out just now, but that means others step up, and once they’re back, we’ll have even more options and talent in the squad. The European run can take us leaps and bounds; it sets us up for the season. “Playing against good opposition means you have a level you need to hit every game. The running and off-the-ball work is a bar we need to reach every week, and that’ll help us in the long run.”