Jim Paterson: Coming Home – An Interview

We arrived at Fir Park the evening before Motherwell’s home game against Hibernian, all the way back in November where the Steelmen convincingly defeated Hibs 2-0 on a cold but enjoyable evening

Jim Paterson, former Motherwell player, now Head of Academy Coaching, had agreed to sit down with us and talk through his return to Fir Park, his role in the academy, and what it actually takes to prepare young players for professional football. It turned into something broader than that. A conversation about how this club works, how it has always worked, and why that matters more now than ever.

For supporters of a certain era, ‘step over’ needs no introduction. Signed in 2004, he made over a hundred appearances in claret and amber, operating mainly down the left. He was part of some memorable Motherwell sides, experienced the highs and lows that come with playing for this club, and left with the kind of affection reserved for players who clearly understood where they were.