Steven Hammell
Full nameSteven Hammell[1]
Birth date18 February 1982 (age 44)[2]
Birth placeRutherglen, Scotland[3][4]
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
PositionLeft-back
CurrentclubCeltic (Head of Academy Coaching)
Youthclubs 1Crosshouse Rovers[3]
Youthyears 21997–1999
Youthclubs 2Motherwell
Youthclubs 3→ Bearsden B.C. (loan)[3]
Years 11999–2006
Clubs 3Motherwell
Caps 1215
Goals 12
Years 22006–2008
Clubs 2Southend United
Caps 255
Goals 23
Years 32008–2018
Clubs 1Motherwell
Caps 3282
Goals 32
Totalcaps552
Totalgoals7
Nationalyears 12001–2004
Nationalteam 1Scotland U21[5]
Nationalcaps 112
Nationalgoals 11
Nationalyears 22004
Nationalteam 2Scotland[6]
Nationalcaps 21
Nationalgoals 20
Nationalyears 32006–2009
Nationalteam 3Scotland B[7]
Nationalcaps 32
Nationalgoals 30
Manageryears 12022–2023
Managerclubs 1Motherwell

Steven Hammell (born 18 February 1982) is a Scottish football coach and former player, who is the head of academy coaching at Celtic. Hammell played as a left-back in almost 500 league games across two spells with Motherwell, either side of a stint with Southend United. Hammell also played once for Scotland, in 2004. Hammell retired from playing in 2018. After a period as Motherwell's academy director, he became their manager in August 2022 but was sacked six months later.

Career

Motherwell

Born in Glasgow, Hammell joined the youth system of Motherwell at the age of fifteen, after Alex McLeish and John Park came to his house and managed to persuade Hammell to take up football full-time. He was loaned out to Bearsden Boys Club, helping them win the league.[3] Upon his return to Motherwell, he made his debut against Aberdeen at Pittodrie at the age of eighteen[3] and thereafter became a regular in the side, making over 200 league appearances across seven campaigns.[4]

Southend United

Hammell joined Southend United in July 2006 on a free transfer from Motherwell after his contract had expired – turning down more established sides such as Derby County, Southampton and Aberdeen. In 2005, Hammell was the subject of a £1m bid from Scottish Premier League Champions Celtic, however the move did not materialise.

Hammell came to speak to Southend manager Steve Tilson after a conversation with former Blues loanee Alan McCormack – also of Motherwell. Hammell praised Tilson and the set-up at Southend and after a nervous 48 hours wait whilst Hammell brought his girlfriend down to Essex to check out the area, he agreed to sign a two-year contract.[8]

Return to Motherwell

Hammell rejoined Motherwell in the January 2008 transfer window on deadline day for a fee of £110,000, replacing Jim Paterson at left-back. Earlier in the day Paterson had left the club to join Plymouth Argyle and the proceeds from this transfer were used to buy Hammell.[9]

On 18 May 2012, Hammell signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at Fir Park until 2014. He would also be granted a testimonial.[3][10] On 22 July 2012, Hammell played in his testimonial match for Motherwell against Everton, which finished 1–1.[11]

On 26 April 2014, Hammell made his 500th appearance for Motherwell in a 5–1 loss against Dundee United.[12][13] On 22 May 2014, he signed a new contract at Motherwell, keeping him at the club until Summer 2016.[14]

After a freak groin injury kept Hammell sidelined for five months of the 2014–15 season, he made a timely return towards the end of season as the club were battling to avoid relegation.[15] He eventually helped the club retain their Premiership status after Motherwell defeated Rangers by an aggregate scoreline of 6–1 in the Scottish Premiership play-off final.[16][17]

On 5 January 2018, Motherwell announced that Hammell would retire at the end of the month to take up the role of the club's Academy Director.[18][19]

Hammell is Motherwell's post-war record appearance holder.[20] On 15 September 2021, it was announced that Hammell was to be inducted into the Motherwell F.C. Hall of Fame.[20]

International career

Hammell was capped twelve times for Scotland U21s, scoring once in the process. Hammell was part of under-21 team that reached the play-offs for the 2004 UEFA European Championships. They were beaten 2–1 by Croatia U21s on aggregate.

On 17 November 2004, Hammell made his full international debut for Scotland under caretaker manager Tommy Burns in a 4–1 friendly defeat to Sweden, coming on as a 54th-minute substitute for Hearts centre-back Andy Webster.[21] In May 2013, after a nine-year absence from international duty, Hammell was drafted in to the Scotland squad for their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Croatia following injury doubts over other full backs.[22] In July 2013, Hammell managed to retain his place in the Scotland squad to face England at Wembley in August.[23] Hammell received another late call up to the Scotland squad for the return fixture against Croatia in October 2013.[24]

On 15 March 2006, Hammell played for the Scotland B team in the Futures Cup against the Turkey B team in a 3–2 defeat.[25] On 6 May 2009, Hammell played a second time for the Scotland B team, in a 3–0 friendly win, this time against the Northern Ireland B team.[26]

Coaching career

After his retirement as a player, Hammell became the academy director of Motherwell. He was appointed their caretaker manager in July 2022, following the departure of Graham Alexander.[27] He was announced as Alexander's permanent successor on 11 August 2022.[28] Hammell was sacked by Motherwell on 11 February 2023, following a Scottish Cup defeat by Raith Rovers.[29]

In June 2023, he became the head of academy coaching at Celtic.[30]

Career statistics

[31]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Motherwell1999–2000[32]Scottish Premier League4000000040
2000–01[33]340202000380
2001–02[34]381101000401
2002–03[35]370402000430
2003–04[36]371301000411
2004–05[37]320105000380
2005–06[38]330104000380
Total2152120150002422
Southend United2006–07[39]Championship391305100472
2007–08[40]League One162400000202
Total553705100674
Motherwell2007–08[40]Scottish Premier League150100000160
2008–09[41]37030102[a]0430
2009–10[42]33010105[a]0400
2010–11[43]31050206[a]0440
2011–12[44]372301000412
2012–13[45]31020104[b]0380
2013–14[46]Scottish Premiership34010202[a]0390
2014–15[47]8000004[c]1121
2015–16[48]270200000290
2016–17[49]250105000310
2017–18[50]4010300080
Total28222001602313413
Career total55273903612316509
  1. ^ Appearances in the Europa League
  2. ^ Two appearances in the Champions League and two in the Europa League
  3. ^ Two appearances and one goal in the Europa League; two appearances in the Scottish Premiership play-offs

Managerial record

TeamFromToRecord
GWDLWin %
Motherwell29 July 202211 February 2023
Total
  • Initially caretaker and appointed permanently on 11 August 2022

Honours

Motherwell

Individual

  • Motherwell Player of the Year: 2001[51]

References

  1. ^
  2. ^ "Steven Hammell profile". Official Motherwell F.C. Site. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  3. ^ "Stevie Hammell reflects on stellar Motherwell career". Daily Record. 18 July 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  4. ^ "Steven Hammell". MotherWELLnet. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  5. ^ Steven Hammell (U21 Squad) fitbastats.com. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  6. ^ Steven Hammell (A Squad) fitbastats.com. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  7. ^ Steven Hammell (B Squad) fitbastats.com. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  8. ^ "Hammell seals Southend switch". BBC Sport. 1 July 2006. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  9. ^ "Well capture Hammell and Lappin" BBC Sport. 31 January 2008.
  10. ^ "Hammell pens two-year extension" Motherwell FC Official Website. 18 May 2012.
  11. ^ "Motherwell 1–1 Everton". scotsman.com. 22 July 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  12. ^ "TV: Hammell honoured at 500 milestone". Motherwell F.C. 25 April 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  13. ^ Sutherland, Jonathan (26 April 2014). "Dundee Utd 5–1 Motherwell". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  14. ^ "TV: Hammell signs extended deal". Motherwell F.C. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  15. ^ "Stevie's Freaky Bum Time". Daily Record. 16 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  16. ^ "Rangers 1–3 Motherwell". BBC Sport. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  17. ^ "Motherwell 3–0 Rangers". BBC Sport. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  18. ^ "Steven Hammell retiring to become Academy Director". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell F.C. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  19. ^ Graeme McGarry (20 July 2018). "Motherwell class of 2002 out to inspire new kids on Fir Park block...". Evening Times. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  20. ^ "Steven Hammell inducted to Hall of Fame". motherwellfc.co.uk. 15 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  21. ^ "Scotland 1–4 Sweden, Friendly". fitbastats.com. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  22. ^ Scotland: Steven Hammell in squad for World Cup qualifier in Croatia bbc.co.uk. 31 May 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  23. ^ Strachan announces squad to face England scottishfa.co.uk. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  24. ^ Well defender Hammell called up to Scotland squad stv.tv. 13 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  25. ^ "Scotland B 2–3 Turkey B, Futures Cup". fitbastats.com. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  26. ^ "Scotland B 3–0 Northern Ireland B, Friendly". fitbastats.com. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  27. ^ "Graham Alexander: Motherwell boss leaves after European exit". BBC Sport. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  28. ^ Delaney, James (11 August 2022). "Motherwell announce former player Steven Hammell as club's new manager". STV Sport. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  29. ^ "Motherwell: Steven Hammell leaves post as Fir Park boss". BBC Sport. 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  30. ^ "Steven Hammell: Former Motherwell manager joins Celtic as head of academy coaching". BBC Sport. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
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  51. ^ Motherwell Player of the Year List 1956–2013 motherwell-mad.co.uk. Retrieved 22 July 2013