It’s great to be back says Motherwell FC Women’s boss Eddie Wolecki Black

Motherwell Women’s gaffer Eddie Wolecki Black reckons the return of SWPL 1 this weekend could have an immeasurably positive impact on the mental health of management and players.
Motherwell Women's FC gaffer Eddie Wolecki Black (Pic courtesy of Motherwell FC)Motherwell Women's FC gaffer Eddie Wolecki Black (Pic courtesy of Motherwell FC)
Motherwell Women's FC gaffer Eddie Wolecki Black (Pic courtesy of Motherwell FC)

After nearly four months off due to coronavirus restrictions, Motherwell Women – whose last game was a 5-0 home defeat by Celtic way back on December 13 – resume their league season at home to Forfar Farmington this Sunday, April 4, kick-off 2pm.

“We are obviously delighted to be back,” gaffer Wolecki Black told the Times and Speaker.

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"The big thing you miss when you stop playing is the dressing room banter.

"It doesn’t matter what kind of football club you’re at, if you’re in an amateur team, a professional team or a junior team, in that dressing room you can have a shared ambition.

"The main topic at the moment for the whole country is mental health.

"And you can’t tell me that that’s not suffered for a number of people during this lay-off and lockdown.

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"Absolutely, I think the mental health of me and all the players will be improved by being back amongst the camaraderie.”

Prior to lockdown, Motherwell Women won one and lost six of their opening seven league games, leaving them second bottom of the table and only above bottom club Hearts Women on goal difference.

Wolecki Black said: “The women’s game’s now following the path of the men’s. The teams that spend the most money end up at the top of the table and the teams that spend the least end up at the bottom.

"The women’s games are mirroring that. Rangers’ budget for their women’s team this year is £1.7 million. Now that would shame the bulk of Championship teams in this country. That is probably 40 or 50 times more than ours!

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"We are lucky this season in that there is no relegation which obviously is a big boost. There’s a revamp of the leagues going on.

"To be honest I’d rather we had to fight for it and I’m still convinced we’ll not finish bottom. There’s a lot of quality in our team.

"Their average age is 18 and six months in the games played.

"When you play against teams like Celtic and Rangers you are probably up against at least six or seven international players.”

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