The 2007–08 season was Motherwell's 10th season in the Scottish Premier League, and their 23rd consecutive season in the top division of Scottish football. Because of finishing 3rd in the SPL, the club managed to qualify for Europe in the UEFA Cup, their first season in Europe for 13 years.
Important events 18 June 2007 – Motherwell name Mark McGhee as their new manager, replacing Maurice Malpas, who was sacked at the end of the previous season. 4 August 2007 – The first Scottish Premier League fixture of the season (against St Mirren) ends in a 1–0 win at Love Street. 25 August 2007 – Motherwell play at Fir Park as the away team for the first time in their history, in a match with Gretna, who are groundsharing for the season. Motherwell win the match 2–1 29 August 2007 – The first League Cup fixture of the season against Raith Rovers ends in a 3–1 win at Fir Park. Motherwell advance to the Third Round. 31 October 2007 – Motherwell are eliminated from the League Cup against Rangers, ending in a 2–1 defeat at Fir Park 29 December 2007 – Captain Phil O'Donnell dies after collapsing on the pitch during Motherwell's 5–3 win over Dundee United. A post mortem reveals left ventricular failure of the heart. Motherwell's next two games (against Hibernian and Celtic) are postponed as a mark of respect. Players wear O'Donnell's signature on their shirts for the rest of the season.Motherwell Captain O'Donnell Dies, BBC Sport, 29 December 2007 4 January 2008 – The funeral of Phil O'Donnell is held at St. Mary's Church, Hamilton.Footballer Died Of Heart Failure, BBC News, 1 January 2008 12 January 2008 – The first Scottish Cup fixture of the season against Hearts (also the first match Motherwell play since O'Donnell's death) ends in a 2–2 draw at Tynecastle. Motherwell win the replay 1–0. The club advance to the Fifth Round. 4 February 2008 – Motherwell are eliminated from the Scottish Cup after a 2–1 defeat to Dundee at Fir Park. 10 May 2008 – Motherwell beat Aberdeen 2–1 to all but seal their place in next seasons UEFA Cup. Hibernian's 2–0 defeat to Celtic confirms Motherwell's place in Europe for the first time in 13 years. 22 May 2008 – The final Scottish Premier League fixture of the season against Hibernian ends in a 2–0 win at Easter Road.
Squad
No. Name Nationality Position Date of birth (age) Signed from Signed in Contract ends Apps. Goals Goalkeepers 1 Graeme Smith GK Rangers 2005 104 0 15 Luke Daniels GK on loan from West Bromwich Albion 2008 2008 2 0 20 Colin Meldrum GK Forfar Athletic 2005 2008 27 0 Defenders 2 Martyn Corrigan DF Falkirk 2000 267 6 3 Steven Hammell DF Southend United 2008 2010 258 2 4 Mark Reynolds DF Youth team 2004 2010 86 2 5 Stephen Craigan DF Partick Thistle 2003 232 9 6 Brian McLean DF Rangers 2006 2009 49 4 22 Paul Quinn DF Youth team 2002 144 5 Midfielders 7 Stephen Hughes MF Leicester City 2007 2009 35 1 8 Simon Lappin MF on loan from Norwich City 2008 2008 15 2 14 Keith Lasley MF Unattached 2006 2008 164 12 16 Marc Fitzpatrick MF Youth team 2002 2010 104 4 17 Bob Malcolm MF Unattached 2008 2008 8 0 18 Steven McGarry MF Ross County 2006 2010 74 4 23 Darren Smith MF Youth team 2004 49 8 26 Kenny Connolly MF Youth team 2004 3 0 27 Stephen Maguire MF Youth team 2004 5 0 30 Paul Slane MF Youth team 2007 0 0 Forwards 9 Chris Porter FW Unattached 2007 2009 42 18 11 Ross McCormack FW Rangers 2006 2008 57 14 12 David Clarkson FW Youth team 2002 2010 214 41 32 Jamie Murphy FW Youth team 2006 19 1 33 Mark Archdeacon FW Youth team 2007 0 0 44 Bob McHugh FW Youth team 2007 1 0 Away on loan 24 Martin Grehan FW Dundonald Bluebell 2008 1 0 Left during the season 3 Jim Paterson DF Dundee United 2004 2008 122 6 8 Simon Mensing MF Unattached 2007 2009 4 0 10 Phil O'Donnell MF Sheffield Wednesday 2004 2008 233 27 15 Lewis Grabban FW on loan from Crystal Palace 2007 2008 6 0 17 Willie Kinniburgh DF Youth team 2000 65 3 21 Danny Murphy DF Cork City 2007 2009 18 1
Transfers
In Date Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. 19 June 2007 MF Simon Mensing Unattached Free 3 July 2007 FW Chris Porter Unattached Free 31 August 2007 MF Stephen Hughes Leicester City Undisclosed 31 January 2008 DF Steven Hammell Southend £110,000 26 February 2008 DF Bob Malcolm Unattached Free
Loans in Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref. 31 August 2007 FW Lewis Grabban Crystal Palace January 2028 31 January 2008 MF Simon Lappin Norwich City 31 May 2008 31 January 2008 GK Luke Daniels West Brom 31 May 2008
Out Date Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. 24 May 2007 MF Kevin McBride Darlington Free 1 July 2007 FW Scott McDonald Celtic £700,000 17 August 2007 DF Paul Keegan Partick Thistle Undisclosed 1 September 2007 GK Alan Martin Leed United Undisclosed 4 January 2008 DF Martyn Corrigan Kilmarnock Free 18 January 2008 MF Simon Mensing Hamilton Academical Undisclosed 19 January 2008 DF Willie Kinniburgh Partick Thistle Undisclosed 19 January 2008 DF Jim Paterson Plymouth Undisclosed
Loans out Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref. 5 October 2007 DF Martyn Corrigan Dundee 5 November 2007 19 October 2007 DF David Nixon Queen of the South 3 Months 2 November 2007 DF Danny Murphy Dunfermline 3 Months 29 November 2007 DF Willie Kinniburgh Partick Thistle January 2008 29 November 2007 MF Simon Mensing Hamilton Academical January 2008 20 February 2008 FW Martin Grehan Forfar 31 May 2008
Released Date Position Nationality Name Joined Date Ref. 29 December 2007 MF Phil O'DonnellHis death
Trial Date from Position Nationality Name Last club Date to Ref. GK Rab Douglas Leicester City
Competitions Overview
Premier League
Table
Results summary
Results by round
Results Motherwell FC season 2007–08, Fir Park Corner Date Opponent Venue ResultMotherwell's score is shown first. Attendance Motherwell Scorer(s) Report 4 August 2007St MirrenLove Street, Paisley (A)1–0 5,257McGarry (3)BBC Sport 11 August 2007Inverness C.T.Fir Park, Motherwell (H)2–1 4,259O'Donnell , McCormack 18 August 2007KilmarnockFir Park, Motherwell (H)1–2 4,985Clarkson (23) 25 August 2007GretnaFir Park, MotherwellThe match was played at Fir Park due to Gretna groundsharing at the stadium for the season. (A)2–1 3,758Lasley (8), Porter (62)BBC Sport 3 September 2007HeartsFir Park, Motherwell (H)0–2 5,081 15 September 2007AberdeenPittodrie, Aberdeen (A)2–1 10,154Quinn (34), Porter (37)BBC Sport 22 September 2007FalkirkFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk (A)0–1 5,245 29 August 2007RangersFir Park, Motherwell (H)1–1 10,009Porter (24)BBC Sport 6 October 2007Dundee UnitedTannadice, Dundee (A)0–1 6,286 BBC Sport 20 October 2007HibernianFir Park, Motherwell (H)2–1 7,071McCormack (35,37) 27 October 2007CelticCeltic Park, Glasgow (A)0–3 57,566 BBC Sport 3 November 2007St MirrenFir Park, Motherwell (H)1–1 5,123Porter (29)BBC Sport 10 November 2007Inverness C.T.Caledonian Stadium, Inverness (A)3–0 3,608Clarkson (15,53), Smith (87) 24 November 2007KilmarnockRugby Park, Kilmarnock (A)1–0 5,016O'Donnell (46)BBC Sport 1 December 2007GretnaFir Park, Motherwell (H)3–0 6,431Clarkson (44,74), Porter (61)BBC Sport 8 December 2007HeartsTynecastle, Edinburgh (A)2–1 16,633Porter (53), Zaliukas (67 og) 15 December 2007AberdeenFir Park, Motherwell (H)3–0 5,326McCormack (8 pen.,45), McGarry (12)BBC Sport 22 December 2007FalkirkFir Park, Motherwell (H)0–3 5,241 BBC Sport 26 December 2007RangersIbrox Stadium, Glasgow (A)1–3 49,823Quinn (65)BBC Sport 29 December 2007Dundee UnitedFir Park, Motherwell (H)5–3 5,227Hughes (11), Porter (14), McCormack (17), Clarkson (55,56)BBC Sport 19 January 2008St MirrenLove Street, Paisley (A)1–3 4,291Clarkson (11)BBC Sport 9 February 2008KilmarnockFir Park, Motherwell (H)1–0 6,618Clarkson (90) 16 February 2008GretnaFir Park, Motherwell (A)3–1 2,877 Porter (25), McCormack (47,90)BBC Sport 20 February 2008Inverness C.T.Fir Park, Motherwell (H)3–1 4,526Clarkson (7,42), Porter (10) 23 February 2008HeartsFir Park, Motherwell (H)0–1 5,925 27 February 2008AberdeenPittodrie, Aberdeen (A)1–1 8,240Smith (83)BBC Sport 1 March 2008FalkirkFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk (A)0–0 5,108 BBC Sport 12 March 2008HibernianEaster Road, Edinburgh (A)0–1 11,692 BBC Sport 22 March 2008Dundee UnitedTannadice, Dundee (A)0–2 6,779 BBC Sport 29 March 2008HibernianFir Park, Motherwell (H)1–0 6,580Clarkson (3) 5 April 2008CelticCeltic Park, Glasgow (A)1–0 58,624Lappin (43)BBC Sport 13 April 2008CelticFir Park, Motherwell (H)1–4 9,771McManus (24 og)BBC Sport 26 April 2008Dundee UnitedFir Park, Motherwell (H)2–2 5,027Porter (17,50) 3 May 2008CelticFir Park, Motherwell (H)1–2 9,158Porter (60)BBC Sport 7 May 2008RangersIbrox Stadium, Glasgow (A)0–1 48,238 BBC Sport 10 May 2008AberdeenFir Park, Motherwell (H)2–1 8,574Smith (61), Porter (81)BBC Sport 17 May 2008RangersFir Park, Motherwell (H)1–1 10,445Porter (50)BBC Sport 22 May 2008HibernianEaster Road, Edinburgh (A)2–0 10,754Lappin , Murphy BBC Sport
Scottish Cup 2007–08
Date Round Opponent H/A Score Motherwell Scorer(s)The number(s) in brackets shows the minutes of the goal(s) that was/were scored. Attendance Report 12 January 2008 4th Round Hearts A 2–2 Chris Porter (64,78) 13,651 BBC Sport 22 January 2008 4th Round Replay Hearts H 1–0 Ross McCormack (23 pen.) 8,300 — 11 February 2008 5th Round Dundee H 1–2 Darren Smith (61) 5,733 —
Scottish League Cup 2007–08
DateRoundOpponentH/AScoreMotherwell Scorer(s)AttendanceReport 29 August 2007 2nd Round Raith Rovers H 3–1 Brian McLean (45), Ross McCormack (74), Chris Porter (90) 3,571 — 26 September 2007 3rd Round Hibernian A 4–2 David Clarkson (17), Keith Lasley (20), Ross McCormack (24), Chris Porter (83) 7,000 BBC Sport 31 October 2007 Quarter-finals Rangers H 1–2 Paul Quinn (90) 9,283 BBC Sport
Squad statistics
Appearances Motherwell F.C. 2007–08 Statistics, Motherwell F.C. Official SiteMotherwell FC season 2007–08, Fir Park Corner
|colspan="14"|Players away from the club on loan:
|colspan="14"|Players who left Motherwell during the season:
Goal scorers
RankingNationPositionNumberNamePremier LeagueScottish CupLeague CupTotal1 FW9 Chris Porter1422182 FW12David Clarkson1201133 FW11Ross McCormack812114 DF22Paul Quinn21145 DF23Darren Smith30036 MF8 Simon Lappin2002MF18Steven McGarry2002MF10Phil O'Donnell2002MF14Keith Lasley1012 Own goal200211MF7 Stephen Hughes1001FW32Jamie Murphy1001DF6 Brian McLean0011TOTALS504862
Clean sheets
RankingNationPositionNumberNamePremier LeagueScottish CupLeague CupTotal1 GK1 Graeme Smith910101 GK15Luke Daniels1001TOTALS101011
Disciplinary record
NationPositionNumberNamePremier LeagueScottish CupLeague CupTotal GK 1 Graeme Smith10102040DF 2 Martyn Corrigan52000052DF 3 Steven Hammell10001020DF 4 Mark Reynolds00001010DF 5 Stephen Craigan60200080DF 6 Brian McLean10000010MF 7 Stephen Hughes40001050MF 8 Simon Lappin20001030FW 9 Chris Porter60000060FW 11 Ross McCormack50000050FW 12 David Clarkson70000070MF 14 Keith Lasley50101070MF 16 Marc Fitzpatrick30001040MF 17 Bob Malcolm21000021MF 18 Steven McGarry10001020DF 23 Paul Quinn70200090FW 23 Darren Smith10000010Players away from Motherwell on loan:Players who left Motherwell during the season:DF 3 Jim Paterson60001070MF 8 Simon Mensing10000010MF10Phil O'Donnell30001040TOTALS63160100791
See also List of Motherwell F.C. seasons
References