WITH its eye-catching vistas, breath-taking neo-classic architecture, cultural diversity and a vast expanse of boutique shops and quaint street food outlets, it’s easy to see why Motherwell is right up there with the most tantalising destinations for the far-travelled footballer. No, honest.

Yes, granted, it may be an acquired taste. Some without any probably prefer to hang about in the lower reaches of English football, driving to training in flashy Range Rover cars worth almost as much as their new hair transplant, salivating over all the wonders and financial benefits of bagging a win away to Crewe that weekend. No thanks. Well, maybe the hair transplant.

No, those who know where it’s at are more than happy to navigate their way through an M74 junction that looks like a hidden Mario Kart track spliced with an over-subscribed car park in Dehli, passing the eighth wonder of the world - Strathclyde Park - before settling down for a hard day’s graft.

For Craig Clay, his haven is just this. A talented midfielder brought through the youth academy at Chesterfield before several moves in the English Lower Leagues and even non league saw him land at Grimsby, the 24-year-old began to grow weary of life in his comfort zone last season, triggering a desire to broaden his own horizons.

A chance to go to South Africa for the experience of a lifetime soon presented itself, an opportunity for a whole new life experience many would have snapped up. Instead, it was Motherwell, the Johannesburg of the North, which won his heart.

"You have to take gambles in life and I'm grateful that I've ended up at Motherwell. I'm enjoying every minute of it,” said Clay. "There was a team in South Africa who wanted me on trial. Bidvest Wits, who'd finished second in their league, were looking for a midfielder.

"I went down to Johannesburg for a week or so but felt I was a bit too young for it because it's hard to come back from there. Blackpool wanted me to train with them, Lincoln wanted me to sign for them - but Motherwell was the biggest chance for me.

"Johannesburg was a great experience. I like trying things like that and opening my eyes to different things. It was their winter but it was still 15 or 16 degrees and I was walking about in T-shirt and shorts. Everyone was telling me I was crazy.

"I had nothing to lose and it was a good experience but I knew if the Motherwell deal came off it would be best for me.”

Clay has featured in every game for Motherwell this season, and has more than looked the part. Slotting next to captain Keith Lasley in the middle of the park is something that has worked well for him and has allowed the former York City man to link-up with those around him and become a vital cog in attack as well as a key man in breaking down the opposition’s advances.

The quickness of his settling at Fir Park says a lot for the club itself, but the true story is perhaps in those he is now surrounded by. Even though the setting for the next chapter in his career may be fresh, those in his dressing room are more than a little bit familiar.

Speaking ahead of today’s trip to Firhill to Partick Thistle in the Ladbrokes Premiership, Clay said: "When I was 18 and playing for Chesterfield, I went on loan to Alfreton and played with Louis [Moult] for a while.

"It's crazy how football works. You play with people, go your separate ways then meet up again later in your careers.

"I played against Marvin Johnson [who left on deadline day for Oxford United] when he was at Kidderminster. I think he scored against us when I was at Grimsby.

"I was in the same car as Richard [Tait] from Nottingham to Grimsby and had to deal with him for an hour and 40 minutes every day. Lionel [Ainsworth] is from Nottingham, like me, and I used to play against him at the local PowerLeague when I was a young lad.

"There are some familiar faces but, to be fair, all the lads have made me feel welcome and I'm making plenty of friends.”