The players pulled on their training gear in June and were heartened by the arrival of James McFadden as the club encouraged him to get back into shape. A week in the Algarve sunshine followed while Scotland suffered through a wet summer. The pre-season game against rapid Bucharest was cancelled with the Grangemouth Stadium waterlogged.
The European games were enjoyed by the fans and the team gained useful early season experience but our record in cup competitions in 2012/13 was awful. There were trips to Panathinaikos in the Champions League and to Levante in the Europa League where our performance in three of the four games merited pass marks though, sadly, no goals.
Hot work in Athens
Those exits were followed by a terrible showing at Ibrox in the League Cup where a team of Rangers' rookies overwhelmed us before the Scottish Cup draw paired us with Aberdeen. It looked like Murphy's late goal would see us through but the last action of the game saw the Dons earn a replay. They won the tie at Fir Park. We had earned the rare distinction of being ejected from four major competitions before Christmas without winning a game.
Thankfully our league form produced some cheer. With only one of the Glasgow giants in the race there was much speculation about the nature of the contest. Would the league be won at a canter? Would the scare of 'financial Armageddon' come to pass?
Ross County welcomed to the SPL
Motherwell started with a seven game unbeaten run topped with a cracking 4-1 win over Inverness thanks to a Higdon hat-trick. A win at Dens Park had us top of the table after six games. The lead should have been extended but we squandered a two goal advantage at Pittodrie and earned only one point.
The defeat in the League Cup proved to be a turning point and three league losses followed. There were real concerns about our home form and we seemed more comfortable on the road. Wins in Perth and a thumping 5-1 success in Inverness steadied the ship.
Handshakes at Dens
We ended the year on good form with only one loss in nine with December brining a couple of home wins and a spectacular recover at Easter Road for a 3-2 win over Hibs.
An ovation for Phil five years after his passing
Off the park the Supporters Trust indicated that it would step back as the Well Society began its journey. In October the Society elected its first four board members and took a 15% share of the club.
The transfer window loomed and there were concerns as we had most of the first team eligible to talk to others. It seemed certain that Murphy would leave and his touching farewell after the least home game of 2012 let us offer our thanks for his service.
As the New Year bells rang out the old year we were tied with Inverness in second place (they had a one goal advantage) and another European tour was the target.