IAN BARACLOUGH is delighted Motherwell are about to land a pay windfall courtesy of Jamie Murphy.

And the Fir Park manager hopes the cash coming from his transfer from Sheffield United to Brighton as a result of add-on deals when he left Lanarkshire is the sign of things to come when the current crop under his tutelage fly the nest.

Murphy left the Steelmen back in January 2013 for Bramall Lane, notching up 100 appearances for the Blades before his reputed £2million switch to the Seagulls last week.

Part of that transfer fee will be winging its way to the Steelmen thanks to the contract drawn up when he first left Scotland for Sheffield.

It remains to be seen exactly how much of the money – reported to be around £150,000 – will be at Baraclough’s disposal as he seeks to add depth to his squad.

But the Motherwell manager has praised the club for securing such a deal, and insists it is a model to be replicated with any Well’s up-and-coming assets.

He said: “I believe there will be money coming into the club from that.

“I’m not sure exactly how much from Jamie’s sale, but that’s good business on the club’s part that they managed to secure a sell-on knowing the player will probably kick on again.

“That’s exactly what we are trying to do here."

Regarding talk of transfers, Baraclough added: “I think the squad depth can be improved upon and we’ll be looking at that up until the deadline.”

Regardless of who else he brings in before the window slams shut at the end of the month, the Motherwell manager has already put his faith in his ability to sniff out talent during the summer months.

Seven new faces have been brought in on both permanent and loan switches, including Middlesbrough goalkeeper Connor Ripley.

The 22-year-old has swapped the Riverside for Fir Park and has been kept busy during the first four games of the season.

Unfortunately, three of them have resulted in him conceding two goals as Well have struggled to garner the points their performances have deserved on at least two occasions.

But Baraclough doesn’t believe the goal leaks are a reflection on his talented goalie.

He said: “I think he’s stood up strong. He was new into the building just before the first game but he’s a confident lad and I know that Middlesbrough are very happy with him.

“To give him a three-year deal shows they have high hopes for him.

“I also know other clubs are looking at him and that just underlines how fortunate we are to have him here.

“He’ll learn from things that he has done. He has a good goalkeeping coach in Jim Hollman that is working.

“It shows good detail in his coaching and Connor will get better as a result of that.”

Meanwhile, it was revealed yesterday that Baraclough is the latest recruit to sign up for the Well Society.

The fan group are currently working towards getting over 2000 adults members to eventually pay back the loan from majority shareholder Les Hutchison and take ownership of their club.

When asked to do so, I had no hesitation in joining the society. During my interview for the job, I was convinced of the merits of its role in supporting the club through thick and thin, helping to secure and protect its financial future.

“I am also a strong believer in the club’s Community Trust, which provides so much support for thousands of local people through its range of programmes.

“I have been involved is similar schemes at Sligo, Notts County and Scunthorpe, but the programmes at Motherwell are much more varied and comprehensive.

“For me, joining the society is a personal choice. But I hope fans will also see the benefits of joining, especially in protecting the club long term.”

For more information visit www.thewellsociety.co.uk