Although the deal is far from done and dusted it is looking increasingly likely that ex-Scotland international Stuart McCall will leave Motherwell to take the managerial reigns at Sheffield United of English League One. While the stature and lure of the two Sheffield clubs, both Wednesday and United, is undeniable Motherwell fans would still be sad to lose a manager who would once again lead them into Europe if he stayed in Lanarkshire while continuing to press Celtic at the top of the SPL in season 2013/14. Should McCall take the Blades offer currently on the table and fancy the challenge of restoring them to Championship glory he could well remain in Scotland for his opening game as United boss. Cowdenbeath today announced they will play Sheffield United at Central Park in a pre-season friendly on Saturday July 6th with a 3pm kick off.. The Fifers continuation as a Scottish First Division club has reaped rewards as the Blades are one of the biggest English clubs to visit the home of the self-styled Blue Brazil for a mini- Scotland v England encounter. Cowden's Yorkshire connection has seen them play English League clubs from that neck of the woods before. In the early 70's they saw off Barnsley by five goals to nil at Central Park and they also travelled to Doncaster Rovers in that era, losing 3-1 to the then English 3rd Division outfit. In the early 80's a Bradford City side that contained ex-Leeds United and England full back Trevor Cherry won 3-2 at the Fife Maracana. Two of the 'Beath squad who were the last to play in Scotland's top division (1970/1) also had Yorkshire connections. Prolific Scottish League goalscorer of the early 70's John Dickson only became a Cowdenbeath player after home sickness forced him out of the emerging Leeds United squad which featured Bremner, Lorimer, Giles and Jordan and was famously bossed by Don Revie while Roger Sugden's father had come to Scotland from Yorkshire to work as a teacher allowing his Cricket loving son to break through into the Cowden ranks in the late 60's and early 70's. Sheffield United fans might also be interested to know that the Fife town had a team for many years called Cowdenbeath Wednesday which played in Amataur and Juvenile leagues and took their name directly from an affiliation with Sheff Wed who were also formed in the days of compulsory half-day closing in the middle of the week.
Source: ScottishFitba
Source: FOOTYMAD
