Scottish Premier League Club Motherwell to Add Supporters to Board

Scottish Premier League side Motherwell’s objective of a creating a club wholly owned by supporters is starting to be realised after revealing they plan to bring two fans on to the board by early next year.

The club are devising a membership scheme to take over from former chairman John Boyle’s majority shareholding and Fir Park vice chairman Derek Weir is excited by the prospect.

Weir said: “John has kindly gifted his shares and we’ll use them to try and raise money and, more importantly, to get fans involved. We’ve come up with the idea of the Well Society and supporters can subscribe at different levels, starting at £300 for a season – going all the way up to local businesses putting in £25,000. It will be one member, one vote and the society will have representation, with an initial couple of slots on the board.

“The ultimate aim, once the society is up and running and functioning properly, is for all of John’s shareholding, which is the controlling interest, to be transferred over and the fans would directly own the club.”

Around 45% of Boyle’s holdings will be made available, with the remaining 55% moved when the society is ready to take on majority control of the Scottish Premier League club.

Around 300 fans turned up at an open meeting on Monday to hear more about the plans, which are awaiting approval from the Financial Services Authority.

The first to sign up was Scotland international James McFadden, who launched his career at Fir Park, while club captain Stephen Craigan has pledged to become member number two.

Weir expects the scheme to be launched in November, with the club hoping to raise £1.5m over the next 12 months.