Historical Football Kits

 

Motherwell

Formed 1886

Founder member of Scottish Division Two 1893

Kit History

1885-1886 a

1885-1888 a

1888-1890 a b

1890-1891 a

1891-1893 a c

1893 j

1894-1895 a

1895-1900 a c

1900-1901 a

1909-1913 a

1913-1924 a

1924-1928 a

Sept-Oct 1928 a

Nov 1928-1933 a

1933-1935 a

1935-1939 a

1949-1950 d

1952-1955 e1

1957-1958 e2 k

1959 k

1960-1961 e

1962-1963 j

1963-1966 e3 i

1966-1967 i

1968-1969 i

1969-1972 f i

1972-1973 j

1973-1974 f i

1973-1974 alt a

Umbro

1974-1976 e4 i k

Admiral

1976-1978 a e5 i j

Admiral

1978-1979 f i

Adidas

1979-1982 f g i

Patrick

1982-1984 f g i k

Patrick

1984-1985 early k

Patrick

1985-1985 late f i j k

Umbro

1985-1987 f g i j

Matchwinner

1987-1989 f g i k

Matchwinner

1989-1990 f g i k

Admiral

1990-1991 f g i

Admiral

1991-1992 f i

Hummel

1992-1994 f i

Pony

1994-1996 f i

Pony

1996-1998 f i

Xara

1998-2000 f g i

Xara

2000-2002 f g

Xara

2002-2004 f g h k

Xara

2004-2006 f g h

Xara

2006-2007 f g h

Bukta

2007-Jan 2008 b

Jan-May 2008 b k

Tribute to the late Phil O'Donnell

2008-2010 b

 

Background

In May 1886, Glencairn FC (named after Johm Glencairn Carter Hamilton of Dalzell no less) and Alpha FC (the works team from the Alpha Steam Crane & Engine Works) merged to form Motherwell FC. Very soon they were the town's most powerful team and in 1891 they joined the Scottish Federation, one of the new leagues that sprang up in imitation of the Scottish Football League, formed the year before. In 1893 Motherwell turned professional and helped form the new Scottish Second Division. They became known as "The Steelmen," reflecting the town's association with heavy industry.

The club had a mixed career until 1903 when they finished as runners-up and were elected to the First Division. Out of their depth, 'Well had to apply for re-election in 1904 and 1905 (this was before promotion and relegation became automatic) but survived and until the outbreak of the First World War, they generally finished in the lower half of the table. In 1913, 'Well adopted their famous claret and amber colours, unique in Scottish League history. In fact their yoked shirts were identical to those worn by Bradford City at this time. It was not until 1935 that they adopted the amber shirts with bold claret band that became their signature kit.

Between 1926 and 1934, Motherwell regularly finished in the top three and in 1932, they won the First Division championship with five points to spare over Rangers. They also reached the Scottish Cup final in 1931, 1933 and 1939 but were beaten on each occasion. Their first cup success came in 1950 when they beat Hibernian in the League Cup final and two years later they beat Dundee 4-0 to win the Scottish Cup.

The club dropped briefly into Division "B" (the second tier) in 1953 but returned the following season as champions. History repeated itself in 1968 and 1969 and when the Premier Division was formed in 1975, they just scraped in by virtue of finishing tenth in the old First Division. Between 1979 and 1985 they endured two more spells in the First Division (second level) and in 1991 they won the Scottish FA Cup for the second time. In an effort to win further honours, highly paid stars were recruited but runners-up position in the Premier Division in 1995 was the best that could be achieved. Attendances continued to disappoint and in 2002 the club was placed in administration. The following season, Motherwell finished bottom and should have been relegated but they were reprieved because the stadium of First Division champions Falkirk did not meet Premier Division standards.

Now run on more stringent financial principles, Motherwell have relied on home grown talent in recent years to hold on to their place in Scotland's top division.

On 29 December 2007, Motherwell's captain, "Uncle Phil" O'Donnell suffered a heart attack and died on the pitch in the game against Dundee United. As a tribute, the first team played out the rest of the season in shirts embriodered with his signature.

Sources