Mark McGhee's men will kick off with a trip to Tynecastle on Saturday, August 9. Hearts might have under-achieved last season, but they always provide a stiff challenge and there is added spice to this fixture after the Edinburgh side tried to sign up McGhee as their new manager last month.

Well's bid to repeat last season's excellent league performance certainly gets an early test as the Tynecastle opener is followed by two home games against Aberdeen and Dundee United, two of the sides whom they eventually saw off to earn a Uefa Cup place.

Another trip to the capital follows on August 30, with Hibs the opposition, then there is an Old Firm double header – Celtic at home on September 13 and Rangers away eight days later.

One player looking forward to the new season is young defender Mark Reynolds. Well turned down a £750,000 bid for him from Rangers earlier this month and Reynolds insisted he is happy to stay at Fir Park.

He said: "It's flattering when a club want to buy you and I take it as a compliment that Motherwell saw the bid as an insult. Obviously they want a lot more money and it's nice to know that someone of the calibre of Mark McGhee holds me in that much esteem and sees enough potential to demand more money.

"The manager told me he didn't want me to go and that if I waited another season and kept playing the way I have been then I could be worth a lot more to Motherwell.

"I was quite happy knowing that and in the knowledge that I would be working with him and Scott Leitch, playing first-team football with Motherwell and getting a wee shot in Europe as well

"I am happy to stay at this club and keep developing as a player."

"There is a bit more pressure on me for next season because I have a price-tag on my head and a lot more people are going to scrutinise and expect big performances, but I relish that and hope I can live up to that increased expectation."

Striker Martin Grehan has moved to Second Division side Stirling Albion just five months after signing for Well from Fife junior outfit Dundonald.

Grehan made only one appearance – as a late substitute against St Mirren in January – for the first team though he netted three times for the reserves.

Towards the end of the season he joined Third Division Forfar Athletic on loan and has now signed for newly-relegated Albion.

Grehan said: "I owe a lot to Mark McGhee and Scott Leitch for providing me with the platform to get into professional football.

"I am a little disappointed I wasn't given more time to show what I could do, but I fully understand and appreciate how well the boys, particularly the strikers, were playing. The experience of playing with the standard of players at Motherwell has helped me as has working closely with Mark McGhee."

Meanwhile, a spin-off from their third place SPL finish is that Well season ticket sales are up greatly on last season. Just under one quarter of last season's total was sold in the first seven days.
Fans who buy or renew before June 30 receive a discount. Bookings can be made at Fir Park or online.