Power cut call-off cost for Motherwell

Motherwell are counting the cost after a power cut that hit 250 homes in North Lanarkshire forced the postponement of their game against Dundee United at Fir Park. Club chief executive Leeann Dempster put the price of the call-off at between “£35,000 and £40,000” but described that as an “irrelevance” when set against the fact that Wishaw General Hospital was without electricity after the problems with the ScottishPower grid that occurred at 2.50pm.

Although power was restored within an hour, Motherwell were left with no option but to abandon the game with a new date still to be set.

“We took five minutes to get match abandoned tickets ready so the supporters had proof of entry so they can come back or get a refund. We then made the announcement [at 3.10pm] and most people think we don’t know how to run a game here, because it’s happened twice now [a generator problem inside Fir Park causing the abandonment of a game against Hibernian last December]. This is outwith our control, though.”

Police confirmed the fault was underground in the Motherwell area and ScottishPower offered an “apology for any inconvenience caused”.