Motherwell F.C. Under-20s and Academy
Football club
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In addition to the Motherwell F.C. first team, competing in the Scottish Premiership, the club also has a reserve team who play in the SPFL Reserve League as well as younger age group teams in their youth system. They fielded a reserve team in defunct competitions for many years.
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| Full name | Motherwell Football Club Under-20s |
|---|---|
Reserve Team
In the early 1950s, reserve teams were incorporated into the third tier of the senior Scottish Football League, with Motherwell 'A' taking part for six seasons of the arrangement.[1][2][3]
Motherwell were an ever-present in the Scottish Premier Reserve League since its formation in the 1998–99 season. Initially starting as an Under-21 league, the reserve league was open to all age groups from season 2004–05.[4]
The Motherwell reserve team withdrew their team from the 2009–10 season due to financial constraints and a lack of support from other clubs, leading to the competition's abandonment.[5] Motherwell Reserves then played friendly matches.
In July 2018, it was reported that reserve leagues would be reintroduced in lieu of the development leagues that had been in place since 2009. The top tier of the new SPFL Reserve League featured 18 clubs, whilst a second-tier reserve League comprised nine clubs. Other than a minimum age of 16, no age restrictions applied to the leagues.[6] At the end of its first season (2018–19) several clubs intimated that they would withdraw from the Reserve League to play a variety of challenge matches,[7] but Motherwell were one of those who chose to remain.
Motherwell Reserves usually played their home matches at Dalziel Park, a sports facility outside Motherwell that is also the training ground of the first-team, but also used Forthbank Stadium in Stirling and Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie.
Under 20s Team
History
Until 1998, Motherwell competed in the youth competitions administered by the Scottish Football League. They then took part in the age group leagues run by the Scottish Premier League[8] and the Scottish Professional Football League.
From 2015 onwards it is possible for the Well academy to participate in the UEFA Youth League by their under-18 side (previously under-17s) winning the prior season's league at that age group; however this has not yet been achieved.
The Scottish Youth Cup (which began in 1985) is administered separately, with Motherwell winning the competition for the first time in 2016.
For the 2016–17 edition of the Scottish Challenge Cup, under-20 teams of Premiership clubs were granted entry to compete against adult teams for the first time in the modern era. In the 2018–19 edition, with the age now changed to under-21s, Motherwell reached the quarter-final stage, the best performance by a 'colt' team up to that point, losing 2–1 to eventual winners Ross County.[9]
Having played home games at Fir Park,[10] Hannah Park (Shotts) and Creamery Park (Bathgate), their regular stadium is now Airdrie's Excelsior Stadium.
In 2015, former Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan coached the Under-20 side.[11] In 2019, Maurice Ross was appointed coach.[12]
Reserve team
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Academy
The club also operates the Motherwell Academy. The academy was formed in 2012, and consists of teams made up of players and coaches from Under-11 to Under-17 level.[13] The youth teams train at a sports facility based within Braidhurst High School.[14] From 2013 the director was former Motherwell captain Scott Leitch,[15] later being replaced by Steven Hammell who also had the same role as a player until his retirement.[16]
In 2017, the Motherwell academy was one of eight across the country designated 'elite' status on the introduction of Project Brave, an SFA initiative to concentrate the development of the best young players at a smaller number of clubs with high quality facilities and coaching than was previously the case.[17][18]
Honours
Reserves
- Scottish Reserve League[a][19]
- Winners: 1912–13
- Runners-up: 1988–89, 1994–95, 2006–07
- SPFL Reserve Cup
- Runners-up: 2018–19[20]
- Scottish 2nd XI Cup[19]
- Winners: 1942–43, 1948–49, 1956–57
- Scottish Reserve League Cup[19]
- Winners: 1987–88
Youths
- Scottish Youth Cup
- Winners: 2016
- Runners-up: 1987
- SPFL Development League[b]
- Runner-up (3): 2004–05, 2005–06, 2009–10
Notes
- Includes the Scottish Reserve League 1910–1915 / 1945–1949, the Scottish (Reserve) League 1955–1975, the Scottish Reserve League 1975–1998 and the Scottish Premier Reserve League 2004–2009. Any wins in the Scottish Football Alliance (1918–1939) or the SFL Division C (1949–1955) are listed separately. Any wins in the SPL Under-21 league (1998–2004) are listed in the Youth section.
- Since 1998; previously known as the Scottish Premier Under-18/Under-19/Under-20 League and SPFL Under-20 League.
Graduates
Players who have gone on to play for their country at full international level are marked in bold whilst those still at the club are marked in italics. [21]
Phil O'Donnell- Lee McCulloch
- Dougie Ramsay
- Steven Hammell
- James McFadden
- Brian Dempsie
- Stephen Pearson
- Shaun Fagan
- Kenny Wright
- Willie Kinniburgh
- David Clarke
- Kevin MacDonald
- Paul Quinn
- David Clarkson
- Marc Fitzpatrick
- Darren Smith
- Bobby Donnelly
- Adam Coakley
- Mark Reynolds
- Kenny Connolly
- Jamie Murphy
- Bob McHugh
- Steven Saunders
Shaun Hutchinson- Paul Slane
- Ross Forbes
- Mark Archdeacon
- Jordan Halsman
- Steven Meechan
- Jamie Pollock
- Gary Smith
- Stuart Carswell
- Steven Lawless
- Ross Stewart
- Craig Moore
- Euan Murray
- Jack Leitch
- Dale Shirkie
- Chris Cadden
- Lee Erwin
- David Ferguson
- Dom Thomas
- Luke Watt
- Ross MacLean
Ben Hall- Dylan Mackin
- Jack McMillan
- Jake Hastie
- Allan Campbell
- Adam Livingstone
- David Turnbull
- Barry Maguire
- James Scott
- Jamie Semple
- David Devine
- Max Johnston
- Kian Speirs
- Lennon Miller
- Luca Ross
- Ewan Wilson
- Mark Ferrie
- Dylan Wells
- Brannan McDermott
- Matthew Connelly
- Zander McAllister
- Rocco McColm
Statistics
- As of match played 4 April 2026
| Player | Position | Age of debut | Motherwell | International | U21/U23 International | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motherwell Career | Manager | Debut date | Apps | Goals | Country | Apps | Goals | Country | Apps | Goals | |||
 Phil O'Donnell |
Midfielder | 18 years, 244 days | 1990–1994 2004–2007 |
Tommy McLean | 24 November 1990 | 233 | 27 | Scotland |
1 | 0 | Scotland |
8 | 0 |
| Lee McCulloch |
Midfielder | 18 years, 102 days | 1994–2001 | Alex McLeish | 24 August 1996 | 147 | 27 | Scotland |
18 | 1 | – | ||
| Dougie Ramsay |
Midfielder | 19 years, 286 days | 1997–2003 | Billy Davies | 6 February 1999 | 42 | 2 | – | – | ||||
| Steven Hammell |
Defender | 18 years, 64 days | 1999–2006 2008–2018 |
Billy Davies | 22 April 2000 | 583 | 5 | Scotland |
1 | 0 | Scotland |
12 | 1 |
| James McFadden |
Forward | 17 years, 256 days | 2000–2003 2013–2014 2015–2017 |
Billy Davies | 26 December 2000 | 123 | 44 | Scotland |
48 | 15 | – | ||
| Brian Dempsie |
Defender | 18 years, 13 days | 1999–2003 | Billy Davies | 17 February 2001 | 1 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Stephen Pearson |
Midfielder | 18 years, 153 days | 2000–2004 2015–2016 2017 |
Billy Davies | 4 March 2001 | 142 | 24 | Scotland |
10 | 0 | Scotland |
8 | 0 |
| Shaun Fagan |
Midfielder | 16 years, 274 days | 2000–2007 | Eric Black | 21 April 2002 | 84 | 3 | – | Scotland |
1 | 0 | ||
| Kenny Wright |
Forward | 16 years, 269 days | 2002–2006 | Terry Butcher | 27 April 2002 | 26 | 2 | – | – | ||||
| Willie Kinniburgh |
Defender | 16 years, 295 days | 2001–2008 | Terry Butcher | 12 May 2002 | 65 | 3 | – | Scotland |
2 | 0 | ||
| David Clarke |
Midfielder | 18 years, 324 days | 1999–2003 | Terry Butcher | 12 May 2002 | 2 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Kevin MacDonald |
Midfielder | 19 years, 96 days | 1999–2004 | Terry Butcher | 12 May 2002 | 14 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Paul Quinn |
Defender | 17 years, 133 days | 2002–2009 | Terry Butcher | 1 December 2002 | 183 | 4 | – | Scotland |
3 | 0 | ||
| David Clarkson |
Forward | 20 years, 66 days | 2002–2009 2015–2016 |
Terry Butcher | 7 December 2002 | 261 | 56 | Scotland |
2 | 1 | Scotland |
11 | 1 |
| Marc Fitzpatrick |
Defender | 18 years, 1 day | 2004–2011 | Terry Butcher | 12 May 2004 | 143 | 5 | – | Scotland |
3 | 0 | ||
| Darren Smith |
Forward | 16 years, 190 days | 2004–2010 | Terry Butcher | 3 October 2004 | 70 | 7 | – | Scotland |
1 | 0 | ||
| Bobby Donnelly |
Defender | 18 years, 216 days | 2005–2007 | Terry Butcher | 23 August 2005 | 6 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Adam Coakley |
Forward | 18 years, 68 days | 2004–2007 | Terry Butcher | 26 December 2005 | 4 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Mark Reynolds |
Defender | 19 years, 357 days | 2005–2011 | Terry Butcher | 3 May 2006 | 202 | 6 | – | Scotland |
3 | 0 | ||
| Kenny Connolly |
Midfieler | 20 years, 240 days | 2004–2008 | Maurice Malpas | 6 January 2007 | 1 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Jamie Murphy |
Forward | 17 years, 222 days | 2008–2013 | Maurice Malpas | 7 April 2007 | 215 | 50 | Scotland |
2 | 0 | Scotland |
13 | 4 |
| Bob McHugh |
Forward | 16 years, 311 days | 2007–2015 | Mark McGhee | 22 May 2008 | 92 | 8 | – | – | ||||
| Steven Saunders |
Defender | 17 years, 244 days | 2008–2013 | Mark McGhee | 29 November 2008 | 74 | 2 | Scotland |
1 | 0 | Scotland |
2 | 0 |
 Shaun Hutchinson |
Defender | 18 years, 174 days | 2009–2014 | Mark McGhee | 16 May 2009 | 144 | 9 | – | – | ||||
| Paul Slane |
Midfielder | 17 years, 172 days | 2009–2010 | Mark McGhee | 16 May 2009 | 9 | 1 | – | – | ||||
| Ross Forbes |
Midfielder | 19 years, 266 days | 2007–2012 | Jim Gannon | 2 July 2009 | 77 | 10 | – | – | ||||
| Mark Archdeacon |
Forward | 19 years, 273 days | 2008–2010 | Jim Gannon | 9 July 2009 | 1 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Jordan Halsman |
Defender | 18 years, 126 days | 2010–2012 | Jim Gannon | 17 October 2009 | 3 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Steven Meechan |
Midfielder | 18 years, 257 days | 2009–2011 | Jim Gannon | 12 December 2009 | 4 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Jamie Pollock |
Midfielder | 18 years, 257 days | 2009–2012 | Jim Gannon | 12 December 2009 | 5 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Gary Smith |
Forward | 19 years, 48 days | 2009–2012 | Craig Brown | 15 July 2010 | 4 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Stuart Carswell |
Midfielder | 17 years, 212 days | 2011–2015 | Stuart McCall | 9 April 2011 | 99 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Steven Lawless |
Midfielder | 17 years, 349 days | 2009–2012, 2021 | Stuart McCall | 24 August 2011 | 18 | 2 | – | – | ||||
| Ross Stewart |
Goalkeeper | 18 years, 32 days | 2012–2015 | Stuart McCall | 12 May 2013 | 1 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Craig Moore |
Forward | 18 years, 357 days | 2011–2017 | Stuart McCall | 8 August 2013 | 30 | 1 | – | – | ||||
| Euan Murray |
Defender | 19 years, 293 days | 2011–2014 | Stuart McCall | 9 November 2013 | 3 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Jack Leitch |
Midfielder | 18 years, 136 days | 2013–2016 | Stuart McCall | 30 November 2013 | 32 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Dale Shirkie |
Forward | 18 years, 299 days | 2012–2014 | Stuart McCall | 25 February 2014 | 1 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Chris Cadden |
Defender | 17 years, 163 days | 2013–2019 | Stuart McCall | 1 March 2014 | 139 | 12 | Scotland |
2 | 0 | Scotland |
12 | 1 |
| Lee Erwin |
Forward | 20 years, 120 days | 2012–2015 | Stuart McCall | 17 July 2014 | 38 | 6 | – | – | ||||
| David Ferguson |
Defender | 17 years, 328 days | 2013–2017 | Stuart McCall | 13 August 2014 | 16 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Dom Thomas |
Midfielder | 18 years, 309 days | 2014–2017 | Stuart McCall | 20 December 2014 | 39 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Luke Watt |
Defender | 17 years, 297 days | 2014–2018 | Ian Baraclough | 4 January 2015 | 10 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Ross MacLean |
Midfielder | 17 years, 303 days | 2014–2019 | Ian Baraclough | 10 January 2015 | 22 | 1 | – | – | ||||
 Ben Hall |
Defender | 18 years, 330 days | 2015–2016 | Mark McGhee | 12 December 2015 | 19 | 1 | – | Northern Ireland |
3 | 0 | ||
| Dylan Mackin |
Forward | 18 years, 331 days | 2013–2017 | Mark McGhee | 12 December 2015 | 5 | 2 | – | – | ||||
| Jack McMillan |
Defender | 18 years, 302 days | 2016–2018 | Mark McGhee | 15 October 2016 | 16 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Jake Hastie |
Midfielder | 17 years, 211 days | 2016–2019 | Mark McGhee | 15 October 2016 | 42 | 8 | – | Scotland |
2 | 0 | ||
| Allan Campbell |
Midfielder | 18 years, 117 days | 2016–2021 | Mark McGhee | 29 October 2016 | 160 | 16 | Scotland |
1 | 0 | Scotland |
24 | 1 |
| Adam Livingstone |
Defender | 19 years, 83 days | 2017–2020 | Stephen Robinson | 16 May 2017 | 12 | 2 | – | – | ||||
| David Turnbull |
Midfielder | 18 years, 215 days | 2017–2020 | Stephen Robinson | 10 February 2018 | 41 | 16 | Scotland |
5 | 0 | Scotland |
5 | 1 |
| Barry Maguire |
Midfielder | 19 years, 345 days | 2017–2024 | Stephen Robinson | 7 April 2018 | 78 | 2 | – | Scotland |
8 | 2 | ||
| James Scott |
Forward | 17 years, 234 days | 2017–2020 | Stephen Robinson | 21 April 2018 | 42 | 7 | – | Scotland |
3 | 0 | ||
| Jamie Semple |
Defender | 17 years, 345 days | 2019–2021 | Stephen Robinson | 27 April 2019 | 8 | 1 | – | – | ||||
| David Devine |
Defender | 17 years, 332 days | 2018–2023 | Stephen Robinson | 18 May 2019 | 3 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Max Johnston |
Defender | 17 years, 49 days | 2021–2023 | Graham Alexander | 13 February 2021 | 21 | 3 | Scotland |
4 | 0 | Scotland |
10 | 1 |
| Kian Speirs |
Midfielder | 18 years, 70 days | 2022–2023 | Graham Alexander | 31 July 2022 | 1 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Lennon Miller |
Midfielder | 16 years, 6 days | 2022–2025 | Steven Hammell | 31 August 2022 | 76 | 6 | Scotland |
4 | 0 | Scotland |
5 | 2 |
| Luca Ross |
Forward | 16 years, 139 days | 2022– | Steven Hammell | 28 December 2022 | 18 | 1 | – | – | ||||
| Ewan Wilson |
Defender | 18 years, 238 days | 2022– | Stuart Kettlewell | 15 July 2023 | 45 | 1 | – | Scotland |
3 | 0 | ||
| Mark Ferrie |
Forward | 17 years, 225 days | 2022–2025 | Stuart Kettlewell | 15 July 2023 | 12 | 0 | – | Scotland |
3 | 0 | ||
| Dylan Wells |
Midfielder | 17 years, 306 days | 2022–2026 | Stuart Kettlewell | 20 January 2024 | 6 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Brannan McDermott |
Defender | 18 years, 134 days | 2022–2025 | Stuart Kettlewell | 20 January 2024 | 1 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Matthew Connelly |
Goalkeeper | 22 years, 135 days | 2019– | Jens Berthel Askou | 15 July 2025 | 4 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Zander McAllister |
Defender | 17 years, 116 days | 2024– | Jens Berthel Askou | 16 August 2025 | 4 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Rocco McColm |
Defender | 17 years, 117 days | 2024–2026 | Jens Berthel Askou | 24 January 2026 | 1 | 0 | – | – | ||||
| Totals | 66 Players | 4,023 | 383 | 13 Players | 98 | 17 | 23 Players | 145 | 14 | ||||
Careers elsewhere
A number of players attached to the Academy as schoolboys and scholars, as well as those who signed professionally but never made a first team appearance, have gone on play league football elsewhere. Those that have gone on to play for their country at full international level are marked in bold and those who made their league debut whilst away on loan are marked in Italics
