The years between 2010 and 2025 marked a defining era for Motherwell Football Club – an age of resilience, reinvention, and a profound connection between club and community. It was a time when the club faced financial pressures, fierce competition, and societal challenges, yet emerged with an identity stronger than ever: as a fan-owned, community-driven force within Scottish football.

From Boardroom to Terrace: The Rise of Fan Ownership

When John Boyle stepped away in 2015 after stabilising the club through turbulent waters, he handed over not just shares, but a vision. His successor, Les Hutchison, played a pivotal transitional role, helping pave the way for a bold, unprecedented shift: the establishment of the Well Society as the club’s majority owner in 2016, making Motherwell the first fan-owned top-flight club in the UK.

The road was not always smooth. Concerns about financial sustainability, internal disagreements, and a demanding supporter base tested the model. Yet, fan ownership allowed supporters to become custodians of the club’s future – not merely spectators, but decision-makers. Over time, The Well Society matured into and exerted influence, strengthening the bond between the terraces and the boardroom.

On the Pitch: Peaks, Troughs, and European Adventures

Stuart McCall’s tenure from 2010 to 2014 offered some of the club’s finest football.  A memorable second-place league finish in 2013–14 granted the Steelmen another shot at European football, a reward for years of consistency and smart management. Even though the club struggled to make a mark in continental competition, these campaigns rekindled ambition among fans.

Under McCall the start of 2012-13 saw the UEFA Champions League Anthem ring around Fir Park stadium for the first time, a 1^st leg game against Greek giants Panathinaikos. The experienced Greeks were simply too good, winning 2:0. They would win the second leg 3:0.

Then came a 2014–15 two-legged play-off decider against Rangers – a showdown brimming with narrative and tension. Rangers FC had entered administration in 2012 due to years of financial mismanagement, unpaid tax liabilities, and the collapse of complex funding structures. Their insolvency sent shockwaves through Scottish football, raising fears of a financial domino effect, especially as broadcast deals and sponsorships heavily relied on the Old Firm rivalry.

Decisions had to be made quickly about whether the “newco” Rangers would be readmitted directly into the top flight or begin in the lower leagues. Motherwell FC, like many clubs, faced significant financial pressure but ultimately voted against Rangers’ direct re-entry into the SPL, supporting sporting integrity and fan sentiment. This principled stance led to short-term financial uncertainty but helped preserve credibility across the league.

The 2015 Premiership play-off between Motherwell and Rangers became so contentious because it represented the first time Rangers could return to the top tier on sporting merit.

Motherwell’s emphatic 6:1 aggregate victory not only denied Rangers promotion but also symbolised a deeper resistance to the idea of automatic entitlement—making it a highly charged and symbolic encounter in Scottish football history.

But the following years were marked by inconsistency. The managerial merry-go-round included Ian Baraclough, Mark McGhee, Stephen Robinson, Graham Alexander, Steven Hammell, and ultimately Stuart Kettlewell – each bringing their own imprint but also reflecting the challenge of long-term planning in a competitive league.

2022–2025: From Crisis to Cohesion

In the early 2020s, Kevin van Veen lit up Fir Park with a goal-scoring run for the ages – netting in 11 straight matches in 2022–23, setting a new club record and finishing the season with 29 goals. His departure to Groningen in 2023 was a financial necessity but emotionally bittersweet.

At the same time, a managerial shift again defined the narrative. Following a stuttering run that ended in a Scottish Cup humiliation at Raith Rovers in February 2023, legendary full-back Stevie Hammel was sacked, replaced by Lead Development Coach Stuart Kettlewell. His appointment brought calm, clarity, and cohesion. The team responded with steel and flair, delivering big wins – none more memorable than a 3-1 victory over Hibernian in Edinburgh. Kettlewell’s reward: the Manager of the Month award and hope of a renewed sense of direction at Fir Park.

But football can be a fickle business. In January 2025, after losing three games in a row and having won only one game in nine, Motherwell’s fans had lost patience. Stuart Kettlewell resigned his post after two years at Fir Park, citing the effect on his family of abuse directed at him.

On 17^th February 2025, 44 year old former Stuttgart and Austria Vienna coach, Michael Wimmer – with his deputy Ahmet Koc – were appointed as manager and assistant. However, Wimmer’s tenure was short lived. At the end of the season, after the 1-1 draw with Ross County in Dingwall, he went back home to Germany – then tendered his resignation, citing family reasons.

Transfer Market and the Academy Conveyor Belt

The club carved a niche for itself as a development hub, turning prospects into stars. David Turnbull, Allan Campbell, and Jake Hastie all progressed from the academy ranks to the first team, before earning moves that provided essential income.

Astute signings like Tony Watt, Liam Kelly, and Calum Slattery gave the squad a mix of experience and flair, while players like Dean Cornelius, Max Johnston and Lennon Miller exemplified the club’s ongoing commitment to youth.

The 2021 appointment of Nick Daws as Head of Recruitment further underscored Motherwell’s dedication to identifying and nurturing talent in a financially responsible way.

Motherwell Women: Building the “Women of Steel” Legacy

The club launched its girls and women’s programme was launched in 2013 because it was felt that everyone should have the opportunity to play football at a level they were comfortable with and as a way to engage with more girls and bring them along as fans.

In 2013, the launch of the Motherwell Women’s Team added a transformative chapter. Initially modest in scope, the team rose rapidly under Graeme McArthur and Eddie Wolecki Black, eventually securing a place in the Scottish Women’s Premier League after completing an invincible season in winning the Second Division, the Second Division League Cup and reaching the Scottish Cup Quarter Finals, beating Premier League rivals en route.

Among the squad were stand out players like Suzanne Grant with 104 caps and Megan Burns with 130 caps

By the early 2020s, the women’s side was not just competitive but increasingly visible. Although most ‘home’ games were played at K Park in East Kilbride, some fixtures at Fir Park helped garner support and reflected a broader cultural shift in how women’s football was valued and integrated into the club’s identity.

Off the Park: Community Matters

Few Scottish clubs rival Motherwell FC’s off-field influence. The club had been running a community programme to improve lives from the early 2000s that was relatively successful and this was further improved in 2010 ahead of applying for charitable status.

The Motherwell FC Community Trust, established in 2011, expanded its reach with health, education, and employability programmes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became a lifeline for many across Lanarkshire – delivering food, offering mental health support, and engaging digitally with isolated fans.

Meanwhile, the Motherwell Football Club HeritageTrust was established to preserve and celebrate the club’s rich history – to bring claret-and-amber heritage to life for future generations.

The club also continued to honour its greats through the Former Players Club, and in 2022, paid lasting tribute to Tommy McLean by renaming the South Stand in his honour – a fitting nod to the man who delivered the 1991 Scottish Cup.

Fir Park and Fan Culture: Holding onto Home

While Fir Park avoided large-scale redevelopment due to cost constraints, it evolved in other ways. Fan experience improvements, digital upgrades, and cosmetic changes gave supporters a better matchday feel. The stadium remained a bastion of identity in an age of tactical conformity, cloned strategies and a lack of flair.

Supporter culture, meanwhile, grew more vocal, creative, and at times confrontational. From pyro-lit displays to debates on transparency and managerial decisions, the voice of the ‘Well faithful became louder – sometimes divided, but always deeply invested. Fan campaigns around social justice, equality, and club governance showed that passion off the pitch was every bit as intense as on it.

Fan Ownership

The Well Society became more than a shareholders’ group; it matured into a pillar of the club’s governance and long-term strategy. As majority owners since 2016, the Society’s role extended well beyond financial oversight. It served as a conduit between supporters and the boardroom, representing the voice of the fanbase in key decisions and working to preserve Motherwell’s identity as a club rooted in its community. Through initiatives like “Double Your Donation” and “Well In” drives, the Society consistently sought to strengthen both its membership base and financial influence.

However, fan ownership was not without its internal challenges. One of the most contentious episodes came in 2024 with the proposed investment offer from Los Angeles based entrepreneur, Erik Barmack’s Wild Sheep Sports Investments –  a deal that promised a substantial cash injection in exchange for a minority stake and “strategic advisory influence.”

While some fans welcomed the possibility of external capital to strengthen the playing squad and upgrade facilities, many within The Well Society raised red flags about transparency, governance risks and the potential erosion of fan control.

Debate raged across social media and fan forums. The Society board, already under pressure to deliver more financial stability, was accused by some of flirting with a deal that contradicted the principles of fan ownership. Public meetings were held, and emergency surveys were conducted to gauge the membership’s stance. Ultimately, after extensive consultation, The Well Society rejected the offer, reaffirming its commitment to self-sufficiency and democratic governance—even if it meant slower progress on the pitch.

The episode was a defining moment. It reinforced the challenges of fan ownership in a modern football landscape increasingly dominated by private equity and foreign investment. Yet it also showcased the Society’s ability to galvanise debate, engage supporters, and assert its role as a true steward of the club.

Following the club board resignations of Jim McMahon (Chair), Derek Weir and Douglas Dickie (who was also a Well Society director) – who were strongly in favour of the Barmack deal – the club and The Well Society led the selection of a new board of directors at Motherwell FC. In November 2024, Kyrk MacMillan was appointed Chair, with Professor Grant Jarvie and Well Society Director Greg Anderson joining Tom Feely, David Lindsay (Finance Director) and Chief Executive Brian Caldwell.

By the summer of 2025, The Well Society Board was also refreshed with Stephen Reside and David Macfarlane joining Philip Speedie (Chair), Amber Johnstone, Derek Watson, Sean Baillie, Martin Grey and co-opted directors Alison Thewliss, David Cullinan and Kevin Rogers. Tom Feely stepped down from the club and Well Society boards after 13 years service.

Goodbyes, Legacies, and Leadership Changes

The period 2010-2025 also brought moments of farewell. In 2023, the footballing world mourned the loss of Craig Brown, a former Motherwell manager and a legend of the Scottish game. His passing was marked with heartfelt tributes across the nation.

Internally, Chief Executive Alan Burrows stepped down in 2023 after nearly 16 years of transformational leadership. His departure marked the end of an era that saw the club stabilised, modernised, and redefined. On 2^nd April 2024, the highly experienced former Ayr United, St Mirren and Shrewsbury head, Brian Caldwell, was appointed Chief Executive at Fir Park.

Conclusion: The Heart of Lanarkshire

By 2025, Motherwell FC was not just a football club – it was recognised by many as a community institution, a symbol of pride, with a model of sustainability in an increasingly commercialised sport. There was a growing belief that fan ownership can work, that women’s football belongs, that talent can thrive without debt. And that football clubs can be agents of real, social good.

Of course, this belief is not written in stone. But what began as a fight for survival in the early 2010s became a story of revival, resilience, and reinvention. The claret and amber tapestry woven across these fifteen years is one of defiant spirit, fan-first values, and a deep, abiding connection between the club and the people it represents.

Motherwell’s journey from 2010 to 2025 is not just about results—it’s about identity, legacy, and belonging. It’s a reminder that even in the face of adversity, the Steelmen always rise.