The Darren Fletcher Journey

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Motherwell's second half of the season under new manager Darren Fletcher saw them rise from eighth to third, exceeding pre-season expectations and securing Europa League football for a second consecutive season.

The Steelmen became a powerful attacking force over the season, powered by the likes of Chris Long and Allan Campbell, and also made it to the League Cup final where they lost on penalties to Rangers.

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In December, Motherwell had fallen to as low as 11th but a sharp turnaround in fortunes followed when Fletcher was appointed in early January. The side lost just once in the league between February and April, leapfrogging the likes of Aberdeen and Hibernian to secure a third placed finish.

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Trevor Carson played nearly the entire season in goal, proving to be one of the league's top shot stoppers. Stephen O'Donnell was extremely handy before leaving in January before Fletcher's tenure, with Jake Carroll a constant presence on the left. Charles Dunne was a serviceable centre back at times but the backline was always led by the imperious Declan Gallagher. Josh Martin proved to be revelation on loan, with another loanee Jake Hastie scoring a few goals from the left wing. Young starlet Allan Campbell and Liam Polworth proved to be an industrious midfield pairing whilst up front it could only be Callum Lang and Chris Long, combining for 34 goals this campaign.

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Club captain Declan Gallagher is as good a centre back as you can find in Scotland and he was massive in propelling us up the table. Where other areas of the defence looked shaky, Gallagher was rarely beaten and showed tremendous leadership and maturity in an otherwise young side.

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Campbell has been a first team player for a few seasons now and he continued to make strides in 2020/21. Touted as a future leader of the club, he played nearly every game in a holding midfield role alongside the more creative Liam Polworth. Campbell managed to score some ripping goals and led the league in tackles made, constantly working harder than anyone else to drag Motherwell over the line.

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When Fletcher took over as manager, Motherwell lacked quality on the wings and it was Norwich starlet Josh Martin that was loaned in to address this issue. The teenager dazzled Scottish defenders, contributing to a total of seven goals in 18 games including three goals.

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25 May 2021

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Scottish Premiership side Motherwell have confirmed the signing of former England international Jack Wilshere on a one-year deal.

The 29 year old has not been attached to a club since being released by West Ham a year ago and did not play at the professional level in 2020/21.

Amid rumours of his retirement, following a history of serious injuries, Motherwell manager Darren Fletcher offered Wilshere a lifeline at Fir Park.

"We all know how much talent Jack has shown throughout his career, he's played football at the highest possible level and I still believe he has much to offer," Fletcher told the club's website this morning.

"He's a born player and I have faith he can do great things here at Motherwell."

Motherwell finished third in the Premiership last season after Fletcher took over mid-season, and will compete in the Europa League this season.

Wilshere is the first permanent signing confirmed under Fletcher's tenure at the club. He has signed a one year deal believed to be worth around £120,000.

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31 May 2021

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Devante Cole and Bevis Mugabi have been released from their Motherwell contracts following their expiration.

Mugabi leaves after 26 appearances in two seasons, often behind the likes of Liam Donnelly and loanee Neco Williams in the pecking order. The Ugandan international is expected to remain in the Premiership amid interest from Kilmarnock.

Devante Cole joined the club on a free transfer from Doncaster after impressing on loan here in 2018/19. Cole had limited game time this season and scored just once in 25 appearances; he is expected to return to England.

Motherwell have also released a number of youth players including PJ Morrison and Sam Muir.

You've climbed right up the table since your arrival, to finish the season with a place in the Europa League is a wonderful achievement. Bit surprised that Jordan Archer isn't first-choice, but whatever you're doing at the moment: it's working. A solid off-season of bringing in your own players, and maybe you can give Celtic and Rangers a few headaches next season.

A great first half to the season that was for Fletcher but now the real business starts as he can put his stamp on this side. It seems he has started that as soon as possible too, with Wilshire arriving on a great deal and the two releases. An exciting summer coming.

Two unsurprising departures. I certainly agree with the recipients of the awards; Gallagher was reliable and consistent throughout for Fletcher.

As for the arrival of Wilshere, if he stays fit, Motherwell have a fantastic player on their hands. That's the worry though - can he stay fit?

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9 June 2021

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Motherwell have confirmed the signing of Ross Stewart (pictured), Kerr McInroy and Cameron MacPherson as the transfer window opened earlier today.

The three players are believed to have been signed for a total outlay of £70,000, with Stewart and McInroy having been released from Ross County and Celtic respectively. MacPherson, 22, joins for a nominal fee after having a breakout season at St Mirren playing 30 games.

Stewart was chased by multiple Premiership clubs but ultimately signed a three year deal with the Steelmen. The 24 year old striker, who started his career in the lower leagues of Scotland, scored 19 goals for Ross County last season but left after a contract dispute and will likely replace outgoing loanee Callum Lang in the Motherwell starting line-up.

Celtic academy graduate Kerr McInroy made his professional debut last season on loan at Dunfermline Athletic but didn't show enough to earn a new contract with the Bhoys. Motherwell, along with Livingston and Aberdeen, saw enough in him to offer him a contract and McInroy will likely learn under Allan Campbell whilst providing depth to the squad.

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12 June 2021

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Darren Fletcher has announced Kenny Black as his assistant manager, replacing Maurice Ross who will once again return to coaching duties.

The 57 year old is no stranger to Fir Park, working as Stuart McCall's assistant from 2011 to 2015. Black has also had experienced in the Scottish national team set-up and at Rangers but was most recently assistant manager at English League 2 side Bradford City.

Fletcher had been running with a small staff for his first six months but with European football on the horizon has been looking to make additions.

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18 June 2021Mo

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Motherwell will travel down to London to face Leyton Orient in the last stop of their pre-season fixture list.

The match, scheduled for the 24th of July and just one week before the season opener against Aberdeen, is the fourth and final pre-season friendly, and the only time Motherwell will leave Scotland during the pre-season.

The Steelmen are set to kick off against League 2 side Albion Rovers on the 3rd of July before hosting Dutch side FC Utrecht on the 6th. Motherwell will then again travel, this time to Cumbernauld on the 10th, to play the Colts in their third friendly.

The season proper is set to kick off on the 31st with Motherwell travelling to Aberdeen.

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Motherwell have beaten off interest from Aberdeen and Reading to sign Shamrock Rovers winger Jack Byrne on a three year deal.

The 25 year old winger was named the 2020 PFAI Player of the Year for his performances in the League of Ireland, helping Shamrock go undefeated in the shortened season.

Motherwell is believed to have paid a fee in the region of £350,000 for the Irishman who was widely touted as the most talented player in his native country.

"Jack is an outstanding talent and he's shown that at Shamrock the past few years," Motherwell manager Darren Fletcher told media this morning.

"We've been looking at Jack for a while now, we know what he can bring in terms of quality and we decided to pull the trigger and bring him in."

Byrne previously played in the Premiership for Kilmarnock in 2018 but struggled, making just 5 appearances, and started his career as a Manchester City academy graduate.

Byrne has made 5 appearances for the national team and will join compatriots Charles Dunne and Jake Carroll.

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1 July 2021

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Kelland Watts and Ryan Cassidy have joined the club on loan from Newcastle and Southampton respectively.

The young pair will provide much needed depth, with Watts expected to vie for a starting centre back position and Ryan Cassidy an explosive striker option.

Darren Fletcher has previously been unafraid to dip into the English loan market, with Josh Martin and Neco Williams showing great form at the club last season. Both Watts and Cassidy played in the third tier of English football last season but Fletcher has shown faith they can make the step up to Premiership standard.

In other transfer news, Tottenham youngsters Matthew Craig and Eddie Carrington have joined the club on the conclusion of their contract.

Nice story mate

These are some canny signings, Feliks. Kerr McInroy does well for non-top tier squads and I have used him successfully in many lower league saves. Jack Byrne is a pacy, good goal threat for for you--I won 3 All Irish Championships and made Europe with Shamrock thanks to him. Ryan Cassidy is an outstanding Irish forward who last season in my save won the Golden Boot for Europe out of Scotland--in the same save he won the Champs League Golden Boot with 16 goals in 15 matches. He is good.

I look forward to how you continue to do in Europe and breaking the SPFL duopoly at the top.

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1 July 2021

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MK Dons midfielder Scott Fraser has joined Motherwell on a free transfer, according to the club website.

The 26 year old made 114 appearances in League One across three seasons (72 of them with Burton Albion) but elected not to renew his deal with MK Dons and instead moves back to Scotland. Fraser initially graduated from the academy of Dundee United before trying his hand in England.

The signing of Fraser is believed to be the last addition to the squad for Fletcher, who has revamped his midfield with the signings of Jack Byrne, Jack Wilshere, Kerr McInroy and Cameron MacPherson this window.

Tidy additions to the squad. Fraser and Byrne are signings that seem quite fitting for the club, whereas I'm well aware of Cassidy's ability. He will be a significant improvement on striking options like Devante Cole who was released earlier in the summer.