Excited 'Well fans on the road to Hampden

May 19 2011 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

CUP final fever is sweeping Motherwell as the town’s team head to Hampden on Saturday to take on Celtic.

Sixteen thousand excited Motherwell football fans will travel to the game in the hope of seeing their side lift the Scottish Cup.

Claret and amber bunting was erected around the town centre and council headquarters building last Thursday evening in support of the team.

Fans have also been decorating their cars and homes with Motherwell FC flags.

Many of the town centre shops have also put up banners and flags showing their support.

Buses packed full of supporters will leave from various venues across the town including Fir Park Club, the Electric Bar and Jack Daniels bar.

Many have organised their own private mini buses to take them to and from the game including dad-of two Motherwell fan Thomas Nicol.

He said: “I’ve been a fan for 30 years and the anticipation is building for Saturday’s final, hoping that the current Motherwell squad can emulate that of the previous cup winning squads of 1952 and 1991 and climb the Hampden stairs victorious.”

North Lanarkshire Council Provost Tom Curley also sent a message of support to the team on Saturday.

He said: “There is a real buzz about the town ahead of the cup final with the local shops and businesses gearing up for the big day with banners and displays of support as well as bunting being on display throughout the town centre.

“The Motherwell team has performed very well to reach the club’s first Scottish Cup final in 20 years and I hope they do the town proud at Hampden and everyone enjoys a great day out.”

Ahead of the final on Saturday, Motherwell Football Club mascots Claret and Amber took time out from cheering on the team training to drop in to Motherwell Library.

The two mascots joined in the weekly Bookbug Rhymetime session and presented the children with club teddies and ducks.

Bookbug Rhymetimes offer activities for babies, toddlers and their parents.

Part of a national scheme, they are organised locally to encourage parents and carers to share rhymes and songs with babies from birth onwards.