Motherwell social media video: Jim McMahon says it wasn't embarrassing as it has worked
- Published
Chairman McMahon has moved to allay fans' fears about the finances at Motherwell
Chairman Jim McMahon has dismissed suggestions Motherwell's social media video was embarrassing and says there have been "10 declarations of interest" in investment since it was released.
Motherwell's 90-second video, aimed at attracting Hollywood investment to Fir Park, ends with a young fan saying "Taylor Swift, gie's some dosh".
McMahon does not see it as "begging for money" and says finances are healthy.
"We are not desperate for money, we are financially stable," he said.
"We have enough money to see us through this season, next and maybe a bit the next.
"I don't see it as begging for money. I am not embarrassed by it. I don't think it's a desperate cry for money because it isn't. If it comes across that way I can only say to fans that is not what it was meant to be."
McMahon added that the "tongue-in-cheek" video, which includes Scotland goalkeeper Liam Kelly dressed as a lollipop man and a walk of fame with stars bearing with the names of 'Well.I.Am' and 'Well Ferrell', has had the desired effect.
"We've had more Well Society members sign up in the first couple of hours of the video than in the last two or three months, so that's working," McMahon added.
"That's quite an outstanding response from the video. To get 2.5m views already is very good. It's part of our overall strategy of using our other contacts, mainly into the [United] States and other parts of the world to say 'here's what we are, here's what defines what we are as a club, are you interested?'"
McMahon said the club wanted to find ways to "de-risk" the future and the online video was part of a wider campaign to assist in recruiting subscribers to their ownership model and potential regular investment.
He dismissed the idea it signalled the Well Society fan ownership model was failing. While insisting the club is not seeking a buyer, he is delighted with the prospect of outside investment the video has led to.
"We've actually had already about 10 declarations of interest. Initially that's quite an outstanding response from the video," McMahon said.
"People coming on and saying 'I'm interested in learning more'. I don't know who they are, whether they're individuals, ultra-high net worth or businesses or people acting for businesses. That's what [interim chief executive] Derek Weir is doing right now."
McMahon said the changing landscape of investment within Scottish football makes it increasingly difficult to keep pace with some other clubs in the Premiership, with regular investment from abroad proving significant.
"Five, six years ago we didn't have big injections of money from Americans or other people like James Anderson at Hearts, who is putting £5m a year in. Dave Cormack at Aberdeen. Hibs' money," he said.
"There's money coming in that is making it more difficult for us to compete on the pitch with those clubs, so how do we react to that? I think we react by trying to see if we can in some way attract money from other sources that will give us a better chance.
"The idea that we need to find alternative sources is not new. We would be failing in our duty as a board if we didn't try and do that."
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