Steelmen survivor driven by memories of his lucky escape

STEVEN HAMMELL still recalls the day when fate spared him. The atmosphere was funereal in 2002 as the players hung around trying to absorb the news that Motherwell FC had gone into administration and desperately come to terms with the reality that a significant percentage of them were about to lose their jobs. One by one they were called into a room. The lucky were kept on, for others there was no consolation, only shock as they were jettisoned into the unknown. Of those who were cut from the squad a few recovered, for some, though, that was the day their football dreams died.

In moments of trauma survivors are made. Some struggle with the guilt, others vow to do all they can to ensure their reprieve was not in vain. From such negatives life's winners find strength and motivation. Hammell is a survivor and as when he runs out at Hampden this afternoon for the Scottish Cup final he will, once again, be reminded of how fortune favoured him that day.

"I think we were the first club to do the administration thing so people weren't aware exactly how it went. It is not nice. I wouldn't wish it on any player at any club," says the full-back, who was just 20 years old at the time. "I saw a lot of players leave, a lot of good friends, who had just signed new contracts, being told that that was them pretty much and then probably never being seen again in football. It's hard to get round it, when you look at days like that, to see where we are now, it's a massive turnaround.

"We came into train one day, not knowing anything was wrong, and the same day, a couple of hours later, players were leaving with their boots in their bag, being told that they are not getting paid. That was it. It absolutely came out of the blue.

"It seems like a long time ago now, but a lot of those boys didn't recover from that. It's been a big turnaround. The club's on the way up, we are doing well in the league and in a cup final. But you still see these boys struggling day to day. It's difficult to see but you have to use it as motivation for yourself to keep doing well and playing well and pretty much keep yourself in a job more or less."

In the period since that darkest of days, the club's gradual re-emergence from their financial restraints has been accompanied by an escape from relegation on a technicality when Falkirk's stadium failed to meet the markers, an upturn in results on the field, a return to Europe and now, with this afternoon's tussle with Celtic to look forward to, a second domestic cup final in six years."We've seen pretty much everything here. Everything that can happen has probably happened here so it would be nice to be involved in this because this would top everything off. This is as good as it gets for Motherwell. You don't want to get carried away but when you think about things like open-top bus parades then it's special, it sends shivers down your spine. We know it's going to be difficult but it would be a celebration for the whole town and not just the club." One of the veteran players in a youthful squad, Hammell insist the kids have come of age this term, claiming the likes of Jamie Murphy have matured beyond mere prospects.

"He's a top player and in my opinion he's one of the best in the league. Players don't like to play against him because he's a handful. Attacking-wise, we have players who can hurt any team. If our forward players play well we will cause Celtic problems."

The scene is certainly set for one of them to emerge a Motherwell legend, replicating the feats of their 1991 predecessors. "I remember watching that final on the telly and it was one of the best games I've ever seen. I was just nine years old at the time but I always remember it. Never did I think that 20 years from there I would be playing in a Scottish Cup final for Motherwell. But that's the way it happened and hopefully we can emulate what those players did in 1991.

"We are playing to go down in history at this club as cup winners. That's what's up for grabs, a place in history, and it would be great to be remembered long after you retire."

He came close in 2005, making the final of the League Cup but, after being drubbed 5-1 by Rangers that day, all that lingers is the misery. Gordon Marshall threw away his medal distraught but this time around Hammell is determined that no-one in Motherwell colours will be throwing anything away, particularly the chance to erase past hurt.

"That was one of the biggest disappointments of my career, after going into that game with big expectations. We were 2-0 down after ten minutes and it still hurts to this day. I know how it feels and I definitely don't want to feel like that again."

A desire to escape past heartache remains the driving force in Hammell's career as he strives to make the most of the day fortune cut him some slack.