GLF 50: Happy Smiley People

Last updated : 29 November 2003 By GLF












Happy Smiley People

The last few weekends have been good fun haven’t they? Fifteen points, a draw against Rangers, victory at Easter Road, Tannadice and Pittodrie, what more could a young ‘Well fan ask for. All this has meant I didn’t lose my bet with the blue nose at work, made the long journey home from Edinburgh with a big grin on my face and Del Boy scoring at United gave me evidence to prove to my mates that he is not so bad after all! I even dreamt that we lost against a second division side, crazy eh?

Watching the team perform so well against Rangers at Fir Park felt so good and made me feel really lucky to be a ‘Well fan. The envious faces of my mates at Uni on Monday morning made it feel even better. One Celtic fan even drew me a Stephen Pearson tribute on the back of his note pad! Did anyone see Terry Butcher’s celebration of Pearo’s goal at the end of Sportscence? His little jig will last long in the memory : classic.

To make up for the Dunfermline game being called off, my dad and I took ourselves to see the Scotland Under19's game at Ayr to see Clarkson and co. It seemed to me as though Clarkson had been told to take it easy, as he didn’t play with his usual hunger. Paul Quinn played all right although he looked a little nervous on the ball at times. Having four players in the Under 19 squad was quite impressive as the other SPL teams together only had 10 players in the team. I was not too bothered by the Dunfermline cancellation as teams usually struggle against us on a cold winters night at Fir Park.

The announcement of Bill Dickie as the new Chairman is bound to give the club a huge boost, which will hopefully keep our good form going over the next few weeks. The Kaiser’s new contract is also great news. If he keeps up his current level of performance I’m sure he will be remembered as a legend in years to come. Pearo’s agent doesn’t seem to be helping the club very much, does he? Even though his form has been wonderful lately I’m not sure whether Pearo would be as big a hit in the Premiership as McFaddden, if he left in January.

Is it just me but does anyone feel that £600,000 for Pearo would be a bad deal. I just believe that we wouldn’t be getting much back from the investment we have put into these players since they were young boys if we let them go for such small amounts. All the money we have put into developing players like Pearo and Faddy doesn’t seem worthwhile if we let them go so soon after they make an impact into the first team. I know that the money we got for Faddy helped save the club, but I can’t help thinking he is worth a lot more if players like Damien Duff are being transferred for £15 million. Everyone aggress that Chelsea are paying crazy money for players right now, but I seriously don’t think McFadden is far off Duff in terms of natural ability. In the end I suppose we can’t complain as £1.25 million was about right for Faddy, it was just a shame we couldn’t keep him longer . Also by selling players so soon I feel that the fans are being slightly short-changed. Many fans I’m sure went along to recent Motherwell games to see McFadden alone sometimes. For the first time in a while we had a player who could entertain and reward loyal fans for their support, with some virtuoso performances. We only got eighteen short months worth of his undoubted talent. It’s a shame therefore that 'Well fans and Scottish football as a whole had to lose such a gifted player.

During the home game against Partick I unfortunately once again experienced racist chants coming from a minority of ‘Well fans down the far end of the East Stand . It actually soured the day for me, which should have been solely remembered for Faddy’s last goals for the club. I don’t know what action should be taken, but on this occasion the noises were so clearly heard that it would not have been hard for the stewards to hear who were making them and eject the culprits from the ground. I enjoy sitting down the far end of the East Stand because of the atmosphere created during most games, so it would be disappointing for me if had to eventually find myself a different seat because of this reason.

Last week my dad was speaking to Billy Davies in Killie. He said that Billy D loves it down south, but can’t wait for the chance to come back to Scotland. He also said he would spill the beans on why he really left Motherwell. I wonder what he has to say?

Forgetting about Pearo etc, the most important thing is that the team continue to pick up points and make sure that Saturdays stay the best day of the week for ‘Well fans.

Calum Stewart


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