Fir Park

Away fans are housed in the Tommy McLean Stand at one end of the pitch. Normally only the lower tier is opened for away fans, but if demand requires it, then the upper tier can be opened also. Up to 4,500 fans can be accommodated in the two tiers.

The view of the playing action from this stand is pretty good, as well as the facilities. A day at Fir Park is usually hassle-free, with a relaxed atmosphere.

Fir Park pitch receives national recognition

After the club dedicated a significant portion of their finances to the facility in 2022, Motherwell will be delighted to see that their pitch at Fir Park has been recognised as one of the two highly commended pitches in Scottish Football in a recent award.

Speaking on the award, the club’s Head Groundsman said: “It’s great that they have been recognised for their exceptionally hard work. The pitch has been in magnificent condition for the entirety of the season, and that is a credit to their efforts and dedication.

“With the pitches now being monitored by the SPFL’s pitch consultants, Propitch, this has raised the standards of all the grass pitches across the top-flight. There has been significant work and expenditure to achieve and maintain the high standards we have set for our playing surface. It’s great news that this has been recognised.”

“I want to thank Derek Young, James Gray, Steven Drummond and all the staff who help us on matchdays for their continued hard work to maintain the playing surface at Fir Park and at the training facilities.”

Fir Park is one of only four hybrid pitches in Scotland, the other three being Celtic Park, Ibrox and Tynecastle Park.

The stadium is dominated by the large South Stand (Tommy McLean Stand) at one end. Almost twice the height of the other stands, it is two-tiered with a row of executive boxes running across the middle and has a capacity of 4,500.

Opposite is the Davie Cooper Stand which is a small covered seated stand. It is the newest of the four stands at the stadium and opened in 1995.

The single-tiered Phil O’Donnell Stand on one side of the ground, is both raised above pitch level and set back from it. This older stand has windshields to either side as well as a few supporting pillars. It is unusual in that the stand itself doesn’t run the full length of the pitch, but the supporting steelwork does, making for an odd-looking sight.

According to Simon Inglis in his book ‘The Football Grounds Of Great Britain’, this was because it was originally intended in 1962 to build a full-length stand but due to a dispute with an owner of a house beyond the corner of that ground it was never completed as intended.

Opposite is the smaller John Hunter Stand, which also has a number of supporting pillars running across it. This originally was a covered terrace but was made all-seated in 1990.

Pubs near Fir Park for away fans:

• The Railway Tavern – 31 Merry St, Motherwell ML1 1JJ
• Raven’s Cliff – Prospecthill Road, Wishaw, Motherwell ML1 2UE
• The Brandon Works – 45-61 Merry St, Motherwell ML1 1JJ

Hotels near Fir Park

If you require hotel accommodation in Motherwell or Glasgow then first try a hotel booking service provided by Booking.com. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will help towards the running costs of keeping this Guide going.

Airbles Railway Station is the closest to Fir Park but is only served by a local service. You are more likely to end up instead at Motherwell Central Station, which is around a 15-minute walk away from the ground.

Exit the train station facing the main shopping street in the direction of the ground. Go straight along it through the shopping precinct/centre, past the shopping centre car park which leads to an underpass.

Go under the underpass, up the stairs and turn left – go straight on and the large stand gradually comes into view from behind Wilson Furniture Store.

The road ‘forks’ at this point with away fans, and those going into the old seated terrace going to the left and all other fans to the right. Away fans walking from Motherwell should note, that the road to the away end is a long and winding one (you think you’re there when you see the stand, but it takes about another 5 minutes to access it), so you should allow plenty of time.

Advance train booking

Remember if travelling by train then you can normally save on the cost of fares by booking in advance.

Visit the the trainline website to see how much you can save on the price of train tickets.

By car

Leave the M74 at Junction 6 and head towards Motherwell. At the first set of lights that you come to turn right onto the B754 (Airbles Road) towards Wishaw. The ground is at the end of this road on the right.

There is no parking at the stadium so street parking nearby is required.

Record attendance

35,632 vs Glasgow Rangers
Scottish Cup, 12 March 1952.

Average attendance

• 2023-2024: 6,109 (Premier League)
• 2022-2023: 5,916 (Premier League)
• 2021-2022: 3,717 (Premier League)
• 2020-2021: N/A (Covid)
• 2019-2020: 5,557  (Premier League)
• 2018-2019: 5,448 (Premier League)
• 2017-2018: 5,448 (Premier League)

Lanarkshire Derby

Hamilton Academical and Motherwell F.C. are primary rivals, and their matches are referred to as the Lanarkshire Derby. This rivalry stems from the close proximity of the two clubs. They are just about 10 miles apart.

The Lanarkshire Derby is one of the most highly anticipated derbies in Scottish football, with passionate fan engagement often spicing things up. However, the intensity of the rivalry can vary depending on the division in which both teams are competing.

Recently, ten meetings between these teams between December 2018 and April 2021 have been closely fought, noting that the teams recorded four wins apiece in that period.

Unfortunately, no meetings have happened for close to five years now since the last time these teams clashed was in a relegation fixture on 21 April 2021, a match that Hamilton won 1-0 on the road.

In the 2024/25 season, Motherwell play in the Scottish Premiership while Hamilton are in the Championship division.

Other rivals

Other football clubs based in Lanarkshire that are considered Motherwell F.C.’s biggest rivals include Albion Rovers and Airdrieonians. These matches always generate a competitive atmosphere rooted in local pride.

Motherwell ticket prices 2023/24:

Category A:

• Adults: £26-33
• Concessions: £22-24
• Young adults: £12
• Juveniles: £6

Category B:

• Adults: £24-26
• Concessions: £19
• Young adults: £12
• Juveniles: £6

The official match programme at Fir Park for the 2024/25 season costs £3