Motherwell 1, Aberdeen 2
THEY ran on to the field, arms waving and yelling their little heads off in glee. It was all over, hallelujah.
It appeared totally immaterial to those in claret and amber that their team had just been stuffed by Aberdeen. It seemed that what was uppermost in the hearts and minds of these Mother-well supporters was the fact that now their agony was concluded - at least until August.
The season was at an end, Saturday afternoons could once again include things like enjoyment, entertainment, just having fun. They were free.
However, just a little earlier, it was business as usual at Fir Park. The Motherwell fans turned up and did their bit, the players turned up and did not, which is why, after 36 attempts, the guys who pull on the jerseys for real lost more league games than anyone else in the division to finish in second-bottom place. Thank goodness for Hibs.
With many still fidgeting in their seats Motherwell's Stephen McMillan obviously decided to liven the afternoon from the off, and flicked the ball over the forehead of Billy Dodds with his fingers, and from the penalty spot Dodds did what he is good at.
The little fellow added a second for Aberdeen before Ian Ross made the score just a little more respectable, but in truth Motherwell were well beaten.
However, all of this is about to change. Motherwell soon will be transformed into a team of strong, young athletes who will do the club proud, or so says the manager, Harri Kampman.
The senior Fir Park official is a greying, dapper gentleman from Finland who looks nothing like a football manager but who appears committed to his cause.
He looked a little ill at ease with the media when discussing his team's latest doing, emphasising on several occasions that to remain in the premier division was all that really mattered.
''It has been a difficult time for the players,'' said the manager, which may be the case but at least they did not have to pay to watch.
Kampman then stated that changes were afoot, and that plans were already formulated which would alter his side into a team worth watching. ''We have started with plans to make the team younger and stronger,'' said the manager.
The people of Lanarkshire will wish Kampman good luck in his mission to make Motherwell great, but the process may be lengthy. Such a large task has been carried out in the distant past, but on the seventh day rest was needed after such work.
There were no names mentioned as regards who may soon be given their P45, the manager saying that, quite rightly, he first would wish to discuss the matter with the gentlemen concerned. Individuals like Brian Martin and Tommy Coyne, though, could be forgiven for feeling concerned if, in the near future, they are summoned to Kampman's office for a little chat.
As regards Aberdeen, it is well seen that Alex Miller - who had mysteriously nipped over to mainland Europe at the weekend on business - has his name on the manager's door.
Going forward they appear somewhat ponderous, while in defence they may be a little more watertight, but cultured and entertaining they ain't.
Perhaps during the summer months a team whip-round could be made to enable John Inglis to visit a decent hairdresser, thus making his coiffure look a little less like Shirley Temple.
So that's it for another league season. Time to look out the bucket and spade, purchase the sun-tan lotion, change the cash into pesetas or whatever, and get away from it all, but remember to report back in early August and we can do it all over again. Yes, you do have to.
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