Motherwell

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A second Well Society board member has resigned following the group's recommendation to reject Erik Barmack's investment proposal.

Maureen Downie, who served on the board for almost nine years, has stood down with immediate effect.

In statement, she said: "While differences of opinion are to be embraced as they ensure all perspectives are considered, I'm at odds with the strategic direction currently being taken."

Well Society co-chair Douglas Dickie also resigned on Monday, saying his position was "untenable".

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Representatives from Celtic, Hibernian and Ross County feature on the SPFL board for the 2024-25 season.

County director James MacDonald, Hibs non-executive chairman Malcolm McPherson and Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson make up the Premiership contingent.

Paul Hetherington (Airdrieonians) and Graeme Mathie (Ayr United) will represent the Championship, while Andrew Allan (Alloa Athletic) and Allan Maitland (Clyde) have been elected for League 1 and 2.

In a statement, the SPFL say clubs also "voted unanimously" to approve a recommendation that a new Ifab protocol for permanent concussion substitutes is used across all SPFL competitions.

"Each team will be allowed one concussion substitute per match in addition to the normal number of substitutes and substitution opportunities," they say.

"If that concussion substitute is used, the other team is allowed an additional substitute."

Motherwell have signed centre-half Kofi Balmer on a two-year deal, with the option of another 12 months.

The 23-year-old arrives at Fir Park as a free agent after leaving Crystal Palace.

He spent the first half last season on loan at Port Vale in League One before dropping a division to join AFC Wimbledon.

The Northern Irishman played 17 games for Wimbledon, scoring once.

"There was a lot of interest from other clubs, so it tells you we've got a good player on our hands," manager Stuart Kettlewell told the Motherwell website.

"He's played a lot of football for a boy his age but we still think with our coaching we can get more out of Kofi and make him even better."

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Co-chair Douglas Dickie has announced he will step down from the Well Society board after finding himself in an "untenable" position.

In the wake the group's opposition to the potential investment from Wild Sheep Sports, Dickie says he "cannot align" with "much of the content" in the statement.

"I find my position of co-chair of the Well Society untenable and I announce my resignation from that position with immediate effect," he said.

"I also intimate my resignation from the Well Society board at the same time."

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Following the investment update, external from Motherwell, which details potential plans for Wild Sheep Sports to become the club's majority shareholder, the Well Society board released a lengthy statement outlining why they oppose the proposal.

Here are the reasons why the ownership group, who currently have a 71% stake in the Fir Park club, are against the deal put forward by the Barmack family:

• The Well Society outline that the proposal would end fan ownership - "the only way we can safeguard the club's long-term future," they add - by reducing their shareholding from 71% to a maximum of 46%.

• The group feel the club's valuation of "under £4m" is "completely unacceptable" and say the Barmack family's offer of £1.95m over a six-year period for a 49% stake "drastically undervalues" the club.

• The Well Society add that Wild Sheep Sports "would immediately receive disproportionate influence in the boardroom" for an initial outlay of £300,000 for 8% of shares.

• The deal would place "unfair demands" on Well Society members, who they say will have to "invest or raise a further £1.35m" and write off half of a £868,000 owed by the club.

• The group also believe plans for membership growth could be "severely hampered" and they would "no longer be able protect the long-term future of the club".

The details of the Barmack family's potential Motherwell investment are out.

The Well Society board are against it, but are you? Is it something you would like to see go through? Or does it need more work?

Have your say here, external.

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Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller made his first start for Scotland's U21s in a heavy defeat to Austria.

Scott Gemmill's side suffered a 5-0 loss in Wiener Neustadt on Friday, conceding four goals in the opening 17 minutes.

Seventeen-year-old Miller made 32 appearances for the Fir Park side last term, forcing his way into Gemmill's international squad.

He also has five caps at U19 level.

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The results are in. And they may be a surprise.

We asked you to cast your vote on whether the Scottish Premiership should keep VAR or scrap it.

More than 3,000 of you responded to the poll - and while there was a clear majority, it was no landslide.

Those in favour of ditching VAR totalled 67% of voters, while 33% were in favour of favour of keeping it.

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Bevis Mugabi will leave Motherwell after four-and-a-half years in North Lanarkshire, the club has announced.

The 29-year-old made 125 appearances for the Steelmen after joining in September 2019 from Yeovil Town.

Last month, Motherwell said the Ugandan international had been offered a new deal and negotiations were ongoing.

However, it was confirmed on Friday that Mugabi will depart having scored seven goals for the club.

“We can confirm that Bevis Mugabi will be departing the club,” a statement read.

“With 125 appearances for the club, he leaves with everyone’s best wishes for the future.

"His service to the club is immensely appreciated by everyone. All the best, Bevis.”

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BBC Scotland will continue to broadcast live matches and highlights from the Scottish Cup for another five years.

The new deal extends the BBC's arrangement of showing a game from each round - up to and including the final - on a free-to-air platform.

The contract also allows the broadcaster to produce "near live digital highlights".

The Scottish Youth Cup final will also be shown live for the next five years.

• Read the full story

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Championship trio Blackburn Rovers, Cardiff City and Sunderland are all admirers of Motherwell striker Theo Bair, but Bundesliga newcomers St Pauli are in pole position to sign the 24-year-old. (HITC), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Controversy and VAR have been intertwined ever since its implementation in the Scottish top flight in October 2022.

From handball decisions to fouls and penalties, managers and fans alike have had grievances over the technology - and the length of time taken for decisions to be made.

With the 2023-24 season complete and the new campaign a number of weeks away, would you rather see VAR scrapped from Scottish football or persevered with?

Cast your vote here.

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Motherwell have extended "role model" Stephen O'Donnell's contract by two years, keeping the right-back at the club until 2026.

The 32-year-old has made appearances for the Fir Park club since arriving as a free agent in 2020.

O'Donnell's contract was set to expire this summer, but manager Stuart Kettlewell says he was keen to keep him at the club due to the defender's experience.

“Stephen is an excellent professional,” he said.

“From availability to a high standards shown in training, he is a role model for young players.

“In my time here, he has been tremendous. Last season, he was asked to play in a number of positions but applied himself impeccably.

“It’s another player signed up early which is something I’ve been wanting to do.”

We asked you to name Motherwell's best cult hero signings - the player that showed up with little expectation (and perhaps ability) but won over the support.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Andrew: Subject to the listed criteria, it has to be Colin O'Neill. To say he would tackle a brick wall is an understatement. Unfortunately injury curtailed his playing career.

Martin: Got to be O’Neill - was a real one off.

James: Best cult hero has got to be Colin O'Neill with Sieb Dijkstra a close second.

Brian: My hero when I started supporting Motherwell was Jackie McInally. He amongst others was responsible for my lifetime dedication to following the Well. That would be 1967/68 as I remember.

Grant: It's got to be Liam Grimshaw, not the most technical player but always gave 100% and fought for every ball.

Iain: Cult heroes come no bigger than Hugh Sproat and Stevie Kirk. Both of them performed brilliantly for their teams and were legends for Well fans in their time. Shuggie’s swinging on the crossbar and Kirkie’s scoring in the successful 1991 Scottish Cup campaign will live forever.

Anon: Cedric Kipre, from the minute he came in, you could see he had something special about him and it was no surprise to me that he's gone on to play at a much higher level than Motherwell.

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Lennon Miller's market value has risen by over 50% after a fine campaign at Motherwell, according to Transfermarkt.

The 17-year-old managed 32 appearances for Stuart Kettlewell's side despite an injury lay-off, scoring twice - both in the League Cup group stages.

Having impressed in the middle of the park, the website says Miller's market value has risen by €500k to €1.5m.

Will Motherwell have to fend off any bids in the summer?

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Motherwell will kick off the new season by welcoming four-tier Edinburgh City to Fir Park in the Premier Sports Cup.

The capital side were relegated to League 2 last term following a season plagued by financial issues.

Stuart Kettlewell's men then travel to Montrose and Clyde before rounding off the campaign at home to Partick Thistle.

Fixtures (All times BST)

Motherwell v Edinburgh City - Saturday, 13 July (15:00)

Montrose v Motherwell - Tuesday, 16 July (19:45)

Clyde v Motherwell - Saturday, 20 July (15:00)

Motherwell v Partick Thistle - Sunday, 28 July (15:00)

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Sam Nicholson has extended his stay at Motherwell, signing a two-year contract with the Fir Park club.

The 29-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan in North Lanarkshire, scoring twice.

Having made 16 appearances in claret and amber, the midfielder has "all the ingredients" to make an impact next term, according to Stuart Kettlewell.

“Sam has shown his quality,” the manager said.

“His match fitness wasn’t quite there when he first came in but when he got a run in the team, I think everyone was impressed with his energy and pace.

“He works hard for the team and will offer lots to us next season. With a full pre-season under his belt, he will have all the ingredients for a successful campaign.”

Nicholson says he is already looking ahead to the new season after making his move to Motherwell permanent.

“I had to be patient when I first arrived but just tried to take my chances when they came," he said.

“The fans and club as a whole have been welcoming and a joy to represent. That’s why I was keen to return permanently.

“The excitement is already building for next season.”

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Motherwell striker Jon Obika has retired from playing and accepted an offer to join the club's coaching staff for next season.

Englishman Obika, 33, joined the Fir Park club in February 2023, inititally on loan, but was restricted to just 14 appearances last season because of a recurring hamstring problem.

He hangs up his boots having played more than 400 games in a 15-year career that started at Tottenham and included spells at clubs including Crystal Palace, Brighton, Oxford and St Mirren.

Obika cited Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell as a "big part" of his decision to call time on his playing career and focus on coaching.

"I just feel this is where I'm supposed to be," said Obika. "When reflecting back, I just knew this opportunity doesn't come around often under people you value and respect. I feel honoured.

"When he [Kettlewell] first came in, just watching how he took over and across the 18 months seeing him work, he is someone you want to deliver for. I feel in this role I can deliver for him."

Kettlewell believes Obika's experience and personality is a "perfect combination" for coaching.

"Obviously it's been a big decision from Jon to hang up his boots and one we wanted him to take his time over," the manager added.

"Thankfully he has agreed to our proposal and now we can look forward to him bringing fresh ideas to the backroom team next season."