Steven Hammell remembers when a young Alan Burrows would turn up to watch Motherwell train every day just to catch a glimpse of his heroes.
But such has been the impact the superfan turned chief executive has had in his 15 years as an employee he reckons he himself now goes down as a modern day Well great. Hammell is gutted the Fir Park supremo has decided to stand down after nine years in the top job and reckons he’s had such an impact that his name is now synonymous with the club.
The boss knows a thing or two about rising through the ranks with the Steelmen himself having gone from academy kid to club captain, academy chief and now first team manager. Now he’s looking for his players to make progress too - up the table - as they go into a massive bottom of the table clash with Ross County this afternoon with just three points separating the sides.
Doing so would help ease the growing pressure on his position after just two wins in the last 16 games. But Hammell insists he retains the support of the board - no one more than the outgoing Burrows.
Hammell said: “Alan will be a massive loss. I’m really disappointed from a professional point of view that he’s not going to be here.
“He’s a big part of the club and has a real connection to the club. If you mention Motherwell FC then Alan Burrows is one of the first people you think about.
“The work he does here is incredible. It’s every minute of the day. He’s not a guy that clocks off at a certain time and goes home then that’s him to the next day.
“He’s constant, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He’s really invested in doing well and has been a big part in anything that we have done that’s progressive and successful over the last number of years.
“He’s going to be very difficult to replace. I remember Alan used to come to watch training every day. He came over on our pre-season trips. He was super-dedicated even before he was a member of staff here.
“He started as a volunteer just helping out. He was the guy who turned up at training and you’d see him there. Any success he has had professionally he has deserved and it’s not just been given to him. He should be proud of the job he’s done.
“He’s someone I lean on a lot. He’s the guy you go to on a daily basis more than anyone else. Even in my previous role he was someone you’d speak to and he’d get things done.
“The small details .. the small things are the big things almost. Alan understands that and does the small things very well. Whether that’s fine details on match day or communicating wit fans and keeping them in the picture.
“All those little things make a big difference. Whatever his plan, if it’s to take a bit of rest and time out with the family because I know how invested he is in the role, then that’s down to him. But I’m sure if he’s looking for a job in football or business then he’s not gong to be short of offers.”
Hammell is confident he has the full backing of the board as he looks to turn fortunes on the park ahead of this afternoon’s bottom of the Premiership clash with County.
He said: “It’s a massive game for us. It’s a chance for us to progress if we win the game. I took this job understanding how difficult a role it was going to be, and how difficult a time the club is facing right now.
“I’m confident in myself and my ability to come and do well at this club and be the best, and that mindset has not changed.
“Of course, there was a lot of work needing done in the club, in the squad, in the playing staff and on the pitch, and we are doing that. I feel like I’ve got the backing of everyone above me, for sure, but again, we need to take that out onto the pitch and show that.
“I think we’ve seen a lot of that this season, but in terms of my mindset, that has never changed. And it won’t.”
Meanwhile Hammell insists he needs more new signings following the arrival of Stockport forward Ollie Crankshaw on loan - with Japanese midfielder Riku Danzaki close to agreeing a deal. Stockport County winger Crankshaw joined on loan and will add to Hammell’s forward options and follows Sligo Rovers defender Shane Blaney in the door at Fir Park.
Danzaki looks set to be the latest Japanese import into Scottish football as Record Sport revealed earlier this week while Blackburn Rovers forward Dylan Markanday has also been linked with a move. And Hammell hopes the fresh blood can give his squad a lift, He said: “We need players in, that’s clear, the fans and staff understand that.
“I think the players will appreciate that as well, that we’re bringing in players to help and to give the place a little bit of an energy boost and to give us better options on the park to start or impact off the bench. So, I’m delighted to get new blood in, and hopefully they can contribute on Saturday.
“Even after Ollie we’ll need to add to that for sure, and we will. After that, we will maybe have to look at moving players out in order to add any more, but we’ll be looking to add at least another one for sure.
“Ollie’s a profile of player that I really like. When we found out he was potentially available we jumped on it straight away. When we spoke to him he was really interested, was happy with what I had to say and was really keen to be here, which speaks volumes to me.
“I’m delighted to get that done and hopefully between now and the summer we’ll see a lot of him. I think he’s a player the fans will enjoy watching as well.”
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