Les was joined by Derek Weir, Brian McCaffery and Alan Burrows at the top table and Tam Cowan ably acted as host for the evening. Ian Baraclough was a keen listener in the wings and he appreciated the good wishes offered by the fans for the vital games ahead.
Les kicked off with a summary of his involvement with from his initial wish to make a donation to the Society to the current position as majority shareholder. He referred to his copy of Swinburne's History of the Steelmen and suggested that the same problems remained. The need to foster youth development and low attendances had been signalled years ago.
He revealed that his investment in the club now exceeded £1M but that his aim was to make the club self sustaining. He had no ambition to remain as owner and as a temporary custodian his job was to pass ownership to the fans. The conditions that applied to his contract was that his investment was returned (interest free) and that the Society had to have an adult membership of 2,000 (at the moment there are just under 1,000).
He praised the efforts of Derek Weir and Jim McMahon for helping the club to avoid disaster as poor cup runs, no transfer income and a bottom six league finish threatened another period of administration. Later, he praised Alan Burrows for his massive commitment to the club - at times far beyond anything reasonable.
The improvements to players' fitness, the scouting system and financial reporting were all part of the recovery program. Injections from the Society and from a donor based in Oxford played a significant part in the plan.
The questions started flowing and the predictable "What if we go down?" soon appeared. There would be no change to the business plan. There are already 12 players under contract for next season and, if the worst happened, there would be no reduction in staff. "The intention remains the same".
Lee Erwin? He's considering a second offer.
Play-offs? The board have agreed to keep prices low and only the South Stand will be available to away fans.
Questions turned to the Society. Brian McCafferty explained that a revised membership scheme is underway with the emphasis on contributions via direct debit. There would soon be an email to members to explain the changes. Les reaffirmed that there requires to be 2,000 members at the end of the contract - he was giving a hand up not a hand out. The obligation is on the fans to take control - "It's your club".
The Community Trust has huge involvement in the surrounding area. Estimates suggest around 37,000 interactions a year. Les is keen that the Society, club and Trust act as one.
One suggestion from the floor was that the club follows the example of Barcelona when the club invites every newborn in the city to become a member. The Society should follow suit, "surely a better way for grandparents to spend £20 than on other crap!".
The evening drew to a close but not before the panel was asked to name a favourite Motherwell moment. Alan and Derek opted for the last minute winner at Pittodrie, Brian nominated Kirk's cup winner at Hampden and Les choose the memory of facing Pettigrew as a 'keeper in school football.
Many in the audience left with an understanding of the importance that the Society had to increase membership. A target of 2,000 paying, say, £10 a month would ensure working revenue for the club and make the arrival of a sustainable club owned by its supporters a realistic reality.