LASLEY BUILDING A FUTURE AT FIR PARK

WHEN it comes to securing the future of the club, Keith Lasley has taken a rather literal approach to being part of the Motherwell family. The Fir Park captain joined the Well Society fan group in its formative days, enrolling his two young children at the same time — and jokes that he will wait until they are 18 before revealing why the money is leaving their bank accounts. Lasley was therefore delighted by the Well Society’s conclusion of a deal to acquire Les Hutchison’s 76 per cent shareholding for a nominal £1 fee. He is passionate about Motherwell making a success of being Scotland’s first top-flight club where supporters have taken outright control. And the part he could play extends well beyond the direct debits that exit his household. Still heavily involved in the first-team squad at 37, Lasley also assists Stephen Craigan as a coach of the Under-20s. Developing their own players to sell is an essential component if Motherwell are to thrive without a wealthy individual at the helm. Hutchison has agreed to go three years without any fixed repayments on the £1million he is owed by the club. Instead, he will recoup money by taking 60 per cent of any transfer fees during that period with the new board insisting he cannot force sales if the club do not feel the fees are right. Scotland Under-21 midfielder Chris Cadden is currently the prize asset to have emerged from the youth ranks. ‘I am directly involved in it,’ said Lasley. ‘I know a lot of the boys coming through and there’s also a decent crop in the Under-15s. ‘In the next three to five years, some real good kids will come through who can push into the first-team. ‘That’s a big part of this model as we want to produce our own local talent and make the club synonymous with allowing youngsters to showcase their skills.’