Motherwell Football Club stood by their controversial goalkeeper, Andy Goram, yesterday after allegations had been made that the one-time Rangers player had links with terrorist organisations in Northern Ireland.

The owner of the Fir Park club, John Boyle, and his chief executive, Pat Nevin, flanked Goram at a press conference at the Forte Crest Hotel in Glasgow's city centre late yesterday afternoon.

Goram denied totally the allegations that had been made against him and, following up, Boyle added his support to the player, who declared that he was taking legal action against the three newspapers that have been involved. The goalkeeper is furious at the manner in which he sees himself being maligned, particularly by one newspaper that has only recently been ordered to pay him a substantial out-of-court settlement in damages after libelling him in the summer and helping bring about his walk-out from the Scotland World Cup squad in the United States.

Goram's career went on hold for many months after that and only now is he resurrecting it with Motherwell. Now he finds himself under threat once more as he faces a 'trial by tabloid', under which Motherwell's new management team bravely refused to buckle when faced with the weekend headlines.

I understand that Nevin telephoned Goram on Sunday and again yesterday to express his personal support, and yesterday John Boyle, stated his own support very publicly, while manager Billy Davies was also there to back up the man they call ''The Goalie''.

The press conference was brief - it lasted just 90 seconds - only Goram and Boyle spoke and, after they had done so, the official club group left the meeting with Boyle stating that no questions would be taken because of the ''legal implications'' of the situation.

Goram stated simply: ''I categorically deny that I have any links with sectarian groups or terrorists. I do not condone violence and I totally support the peace process in Northern Ireland. I deny all the implications in the newspapers and I am taking legal action against the newspapers concerned and against the individuals who supplied this wrong information.''

Boyle then added firmly: ''Two newspapers have made serious allegations against the Motherwell goalkeeper, Andy Goram, accusing him of having links with terrorist organisations.

''Motherwell Football Club is a family club and we take these allegations seriously. We have spoken to Andy Goram regarding these allegations and he says he has been seriously maligned and that he will be taking legal action against the newspapers. He is still a Motherwell player. No questions will be answered because of the legal implications.''

At that, the group left the room pursued by several questions, which, as they said they would do, they simply ignored.

If they had felt the allegations against Goram had substance then there is no doubt that they would taken a different stance. However, much of the ''evidence'' so far produced has been inconclusive.

One damaging photograph has appeared where Goram has posed with several Rangers' supporters with a flag that boasts an Ulster Volunteer Force insignia. I understand that the picture was taken eight years ago and the goalkeeper claims that he did not recognise the significance of the initials at the time.

He also denies emphatically suggestions that he is friendly with any terrorists and last night added: ''I don't understand what this is all about. People are being mentioned as being 'pals' of mine and I have not a clue who they are.

''The whole thing is rubbish, but my lawyer is now dealing with it. I am happy with the support I have received from Motherwell and I shall be training with them this week and preparing for the Scottish Cup tie against Stirling Albion at the weekend.''

While Goram allowed the tabloid headlines to drive him away from the World Cup finals in France, he seems determined not to be intimidated by them again. It appears that he will now try to ride out this latest storm and repay his new club by helping them in the Premier League and pushing them towards Scottish Cup success.

Only last week, the Scotland manager, Craig Brown, indicated that he would select the goalkeeper for Scotland if he proves his form has returned between now and the end of March, when the next European Championship games take place.

Brown has been criticised for that - though he maintained the same stance from the very moment in the United States when Goram left the squad, right through until he spoke to the player last week - and Goram clearly intends to be around if needed.

His case was helped last night when the SFA's international committee gave Brown the go-ahead to choose players who had previously retired from international football. In a move that could also assist the return of Everton striker Duncan Ferguson, they said that no rescinding letter would be required from such players.