This is an excerpt from this week's Claret and Amber Alert, a free Motherwell newsletter written by Graeme McGarry that goes out every Thursday at 6pm. To sign up, click here.
ONE thing that has certainly not been an issue since this newsletter kicked off is finding something to talk about. There is a never a dull moment around Fir Park way this weather, except perhaps at times – if we’re being a wee bit cruel - during the actual games themselves.
This week, there has been news from the boardroom, with long-time chairman Jim McMahon signalling his intent to step down at the next AGM in mid-February (or the end of the season at the latest), and interim CEO Derek Weir also stating that he wishes to depart his role no later than March.
Having flagged up the sense of drift around the club of late and pondered the need for some strong leadership since the departure of former CEO Alan Burrows in last week’s newsletter, it would be hypocritical to now lament this news.
But what I will say is that both men deserve an enormous amount of credit, respect and gratitude for their contributions to the club over the years. There can be no question over their passion for Motherwell, or their commitment.
I have no doubt that they were both often faced with a thankless task, and plenty of criticism alongside it, and they should be remembered fondly for helping to steer the club through some often-choppy waters.
All that being said, it does feel as if the time is right for some fresh blood in the boardroom.
When there is tumult in such positions at a club, it is never easy for fans to know how to react. Some will see such changes as cause for excitement, while others will see them as cause for concern.
From the alarmist perspective, it isn’t too far a stretch to say that Motherwell could very well soon be looking for a new chairman, CEO and (once again) a manager all at the same time should things not improve on the field in short order.
And a notable aspect of the statement that accompanied the announcement was McMahon’s assertion that for the club to be run on a sustainable basis ‘that it will require significant investment; funding on a similar scale to that received by many others in the SPFL.’
He went on to say that the club would be ready to announce a ‘fundraising initiative’ in the New Year, which was a little opaque to say the least. And given that there is the added complication of the fact Motherwell are fan-owned, it raises various questions about what any investment might mean for the ‘Well Society.
And, by obvious extension, for the fans. If the money coming into the club is now not enough to sustain it, then where will the money come from to plug the gap?
Will it be the supporter base who are again asked to dig deep in this ‘fundraising initiative’? On top of their ‘Well Society contributions, season tickets and the purchasing of merchandise, that may be a big ask in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.
The statement from McMahon certainly seems to suggest such an initiative rather than a contribution coming from an outside investor.
Reliance on a wealthy benefactor is not a scenario that any Motherwell supporter would want to revisit any time soon, and there would likely be caveats that came with such investment which fans would find unpalatable – whether that be ceding majority control or a transition to becoming a feeder club for an EPL outfit or some such.
Or, could it be that the long-mooted move away from Fir Park to Ravenscraig is finally in the pipeline? It would be an emotional wrench leaving the old ground, for sure, but as the money the stadium eats up in maintenance each year proves, the club would be mad not to explore the possibility.
From my own point of view, I’m not quite breaking out the incontinence pants just yet. Well, not for any Motherwell-related reason, at least. The club are in a relatively stable position, with healthy cash reserves.
But developments this week do raise the question of what the future looks like for the ‘Well Society. Or, more pointedly, what the future looks like for Motherwell under ‘Well Society ownership.
The Society has, essentially, provided an overdraft for the club since its formation. But with only around 3500 members - contributing monthly to varying degrees - the question that springs to mind is just what level really is a ‘sustainable’ one for Motherwell at the club’s current income levels?
Certainly, there are also questions to answer about the mismanagement of those funds in recent years when it comes to manager and player acquisition. Issues which have likely brought this scenario to a head a little faster than may have otherwise been the case.
But there was always likely to be a point of reckoning where Motherwell would be forced to consider just what level they can compete at while operating under the current model.
Is it treading water where they currently are, in the lower reaches of the Premiership? The Championship? Would that be palatable, as long as the club lives within its means?
We will have to wait and see what this fundraising initiative entails, I suppose, before we can make a proper judgment on what the future might look like for the club.
Some fans are optimistic, some are concerned, but nobody yet really knows for sure.
