“Maybe [Motherwell] just lost its way a wee bit at certain times, in the years previous, but that’s done with now. I think that fans are right to feel optimistic about the future – on the park and off the park as well.”
That was the conclusion of the latest ‘Fae the Tap O’ The Toon’ Motherwell Times podcast with football writer Ben Banks (@BenBanks01).
The latest podcast – essential listening for any Motherwell fan – is a game of two halves. In the first half Banks links with BBC Sport Scotland’s Motherwell Fan columnist Jenna Thomson (@JennaThom1552), with the second segment, an exclusive interview with new Motherwell Chair Kyrk MacMillan.
“Kyrk MacMillan was nice enough to speak to us this week,” said Banks. “The youngest premiership Chairman currently at the minute in a, sort of, refreshed change. Suppose it’s no surprise that the club with the most amount of minutes given, by some distance, to Scotland under-21 players, would also give a young and aspiring – very successful I should say as well – businessman, the chance to be the Chairman of the club he supported as a boy.”
Banks adds that “I think it’s quite good, in terms that I feel that his appointment, and the new appointments to the board as well, which have been made – and new Chair of The Well Society in Philip Speedie, just draws a line under all the investment chat for good.”
Stressing that The Well Society is open to investment, Banks adds “what I more mean is the saga from the summer. That’s fully drawn a line under.”
Fresh leadership
“You’ve got new leadership. You’ve got new ideas – fresh ideas – on The Well Society board and the executive board at the club. It’s probably needed change as well – ‘cos I did feel there was probably a wee bit of disconnect in the last few years between the hierarchy at the club and the fans which, when you’re a fan owned club – I don’t think that’s ever a recipe for success,” said Banks.
Replicating recent comments from The Well Society and Club Chief Brian Caldwell, Banks links to a feel-good feeling on and off the field. “I don’t think it’s a surprise that the success that, or the relative success in terms of performances and goodwill towards the team, sort of coincides with a bit more alignment with the hierarchy at the club. I don’t think that’s coincidental”.
“There’s a unity now,” Banks adds. “There’s a general goodwill towards the players”.
“Stuart Kettlewell deserves a big amount of credit on the park. He’s did incredibly well, considering the injury situation he’s faced over this season – still without a number of key players that would starting in games for him, never mind just filling out the squad. Brian Caldwell has been transformative in the CEO role. A lot of really good things behind the scenes he’s doing and now with Kyrk MacMillan sort of coming in… some fresh ideas on the board I feel that the club’s in good hands and a good place”.
A calm about the club
BBC Sport Scotland’s Motherwell Fan columnist, Jenna Thomson, agreed, stating “the Wild Sheep guys – they looked at our club. Undervalued us. Underestimated us, and just made an absolute joke of us. Depending on how Lennon Miller’s season goes – we can probably sell him for what they valued a full club to be worth.
“So when you think of it that way it’s just good to get it over and done with. For months we were yapping on about how we needed a new Chief Exec. We needed The Well Society to be more unified – all the shakeups with that.
“It’s actually nice to feel calm and at peace, supporting Motherwell. I can’t remember the last time I felt genuinely happy with all aspects of the club and I think this is the first time in two or three I’ve felt like that”.
New Chairman
Turning to an exclusive interview with Kyrk MacMillan, the new Chairman shared his vision for the club’s future, emphasising transparency, community engagement, and collaboration with the Well Society.
MacMillan’s journey with Motherwell FC began in his childhood, attending matches with his father and grandfather. Reflecting on his early experiences, he recalled “I grew up coming to the games with my father and my grandfather and sitting in the back of the East End at the time.”
At 33, MacMillan brings a wealth of experience from the business world. As the CEO of Scottish fashion brand Bee Inspired, he has demonstrated a keen ability to drive growth and innovation. His international experience includes roles in Denmark, where he was recognised as one of the top three young business talents.
MacMillan’s vision for Motherwell FC is centred on ambition and progress. “I’ve always been involved in businesses which have had kind of growth and, you know, that kind of ambition to take businesses forward is always something that really has really interested me,” said MacMillan.
“I think the conversations we had, with the club, conversations with the Well Society, I think everybody shared that kind of common ambition for moving the club forward,” he adds.
This collaborative spirit aims to align the club’s operations with the community’s aspirations, ensuring that decisions reflect the supporters’ interests.