2009–10 Greenock Morton F.C. season
Season 2009–10 saw Greenock Morton compete in their third consecutive season in the First Division, in which they finished 8th after a last day victory over Ayr United which relegated the visitors.[1]
| 2009–10 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Douglas Rae | |||
| Manager | Davie Irons (19/2/08-21/9/09) James Grady (31/10/09-9/5/10) | |||
| Scottish First Division | 8th | |||
| Scottish Cup | Fourth round (eliminated by Celtic) | |||
| League Cup | Second round (eliminated by Kilmarnock) | |||
| Challenge Cup | Second round (eliminated by Ross County) | |||
| Top goalscorer | League: Peter Weatherson (10) All: Peter Weatherson (12) | |||
| Highest home attendance | League: 3,771 vs Ayr United (1 May 2010) Cup: 10,191 vs Celtic (19 January 2009) | |||
| Lowest home attendance | League: 1,219 vs Ross County (13 April 2010) Cup: 1,882 vs Dumbarton (28 November 2009) | |||
| Average home league attendance | 1,969 | |||
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Story of the season
May
After the end of the 2008–09 season, Kieran McAnespie (signed for amateur side Milngavie Wanderers[2]), Jamie Stevenson (signed for East Stirlingshire[3]), Chris Smith (signed for Dumbarton[4]) and Jon Newby (signed for Northwich Victoria[5]) were all released.
Brian Graham returned from his loan spell at East Stirlingshire, where he finished as the Third Division's top scoring forward.
June
Neil MacFarlane was brought in under freedom of contract from Queen of the South.[6]
July
Bryn Halliwell signed as emergency goalkeeping cover following injuries to Kevin Cuthbert and Colin Stewart.[7]
August
At the end of Halliwell's short-term contract, he was released before the close of the transfer window thus making him available to sign for a new club at any time after the window shut.[8]
Morton were knocked out of the two SFL cup competitions by Ross County and Kilmarnock, after victories over Dumbarton and Cowdenbeath.
September
Davie Irons and Derek Collins had their contracts as the club's management team cancelled on 21 September, with the club sitting bottom of the First Division with only three points from their first six games.[9] Allan McManus and James Grady took over as caretakers until replacements for Irons and Collins could be appointed.[10]
Iain Russell was loaned out to Alloa Athletic.[11]
October
McManus and Grady were appointed permanently (until the end of the season) on Halloween 2009.[12] This time though, Grady was made manager with McManus his assistant.
November
With injuries mounting up, Grady brought in Alan Reid and David van Zanten in on trial. Both players made their débuts on 7 November, against Partick Thistle, this was however Reid's THIRD début for the club having played two games on trial the previous season and having a spell on loan in 2001. On 10 November, it was revealed in the Greenock Telegraph that van Zanten had signed on a permanent contract until January 2010.[13]
Alan Reid was signed on a permanent basis on 27 November, following the release of Ryan Harding by mutual consent.[14]
December
After a replay, Morton defeated Dumbarton, to set up a Scottish Cup fourth round tie at Cappielow against Celtic.[15]
January
David van Zanten's short-term deal at Cappielow expires, and the Irishman signs for Hamilton Academical.[16]
Ex-Celtic youth Michael Tidser returns from Sweden, where he played for Ostersunds FK to sign with Morton.[17]
Alex Walker was loaned out to Brechin City for three months.[18]
Brian Wake was released, with his next destination being Gateshead.[19]
As the transfer window slammed shut, Kevin McKinlay was signed on a free transfer.[20]
February
Erik Paartalu signed a pre-contract agreement with Brisbane Roar back in his homeland of Australia.[21]
Donovan Simmonds was signed until the end of the season on a free transfer from Maltese Premier League side Floriana.[22]
March
Austrian Striker David Witteveen signed on loan from Hearts until the end of the season.[23]
Iain Russell and Ryan McWilliams were sent out on loan to Stirling Albion and Largs Thistle respectively.[24]
April
Jim McAlister broke his foot in a 3–3 draw with Queen of the South[25] – this was most likely his final game for Morton with his contract running down at the end of the season.
Michael Tidser was awarded the Scottish Football League young player of the month award for March.[26]
May
With a 2–1 victory at Cappielow over Ayr United, Morton avoided relegation to the Second Division whilst condemning their opponents to automatic relegation.[1]
First team transfers
- From end of 2008–09 season, to last match of season 2009–10
In
| Player | From | Fee |
|---|---|---|
 Neil MacFarlane | Queen of the South | Free (June 2009) |
 Bryn Halliwell | Queen of the South | Free (July 2009) |
 David van Zanten | Hibernian | Free (November 2009) |
| Alan Reid | Unattached | Free (November 2009) |
| Michael Tidser | Östersunds FK (Sweden) | Free (January 2010) |
| Kevin McKinlay | Dundalk (Ireland) | Free (February 2010) |
| Donovan Simmonds | Floriana (Malta) | Free (February 2010) |
 David Witteveen | Heart of Midlothian | Loan (March 2010) |
Out
| Player | To | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Kieran McAnespie | Milngavie Wanderers | Free (May 2009) |
| Jamie Stevenson | East Stirlingshire | Free (July 2009) |
| Jon Newby | Northwich Victoria (England) | Free (July 2009) |
| Chris Smith | Dumbarton | Free (August 2009) |
| Bryn Halliwell | Forfar Athletic | Free (August 2009) |
| Iain Russell | Alloa Athletic | Loan (September 2009) |
| Ryan Harding | East Stirlingshire | Free (November 2009) |
| David van Zanten | Hamilton Academical | Free (January 2010) |
| Alex Walker | Brechin City | Loan (January 2010) |
| Brian Wake | Gateshead (England) | Free (January 2010) |
| Iain Russell | Stirling Albion | Loan (March 2010) |
| Ryan McWilliams | Largs Thistle | Loan (March 2010) |
Squad (that played for first team)
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Fixtures and results
Win Draw Loss Upcoming fixture
Friendlies
Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division
Active Nation Scottish Cup
| Date | Round | Opponents | Stadium | Result F–A |
Events | Attendance | Referee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 November 2009 | Round 3 | Dumbarton | Cappielow Park, Greenock | 0–0 | Alan Reid  37' |
1,882 | S McLean |
| 5 December 2009 | Round 3 Replay | Dumbarton | Strathclyde Homes Stadium, Dumbarton | 1–0 | Brian Graham  74' 86' Erik Paartalu 86' |
1,495 | S McLean |
| 19 January 2010 | Round 4 | Celtic | Cappielow Park, Greenock | 0–1 | Stewart Greacen 51' Neil MacFarlane 75' |
10,191 | C Thomson |
League Cup
| Date | Round | Opponents | Stadium | Result F–A |
Events | Attendance | Referee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 August 2009 | Round 1 | Cowdenbeath | Central Park, Cowdenbeath | 3–1 | Peter Weatherson 7' 51' Neil MacFarlane 12' Allan Jenkins 76' |
486 | B Winter |
| 25 August 2009 | Round 2 | Kilmarnock | Rugby Park, Kilmarnock | 1–3 | Ryan McGuffie 44' (pen) Kevin Finlayson 54' Allan Jenkins 73' |
3,645 | M Tumilty |
Challenge Cup
| Date | Round | Opponents | Stadium | Result F–A |
Events | Attendance | Referee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 July 2009 | Round 1 | Dumbarton | Strathclyde Homes Stadium, Dumbarton | 1–0 | Allan Jenkins 25' Stewart Greacen 33'Steven Masterton 33'Neil MacFarlane 40' |
1,122 | S Finnie |
| 19 August 2009 | Round 2 | Ross County | Victoria Park, Dingwall | 1–2 | Steven Masterton 63' 71' |
588 | J McKendrick |
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Partick Thistle | 36 | 14 | 6 | 16 | 43 | 40 | +3 | 48 | |
| 7 | Raith Rovers | 36 | 11 | 9 | 16 | 36 | 47 | −11 | 42 | |
| 8 | Greenock Morton | 36 | 11 | 4 | 21 | 40 | 65 | −25 | 37 | |
| 9 | Airdrie United (R) | 36 | 8 | 9 | 19 | 41 | 56 | −15 | 33 | Qualification to the First Division play-offs |
| 10 | Ayr United (R) | 36 | 7 | 10 | 19 | 29 | 60 | −31 | 31 | Relegation to the Second Division |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
First Division play-offs: The 9th place team will be entered into a play-off with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th places of the Second Division. The winner gets a place in the 2010-11 First Division
(R) Relegated
Player statistics
- As of 1 May
All competitions
| # | Player | Played | Subs | |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Bryn Halliwell | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GK | Ryan McWilliams | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GK | Colin Stewart | 30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GK | Kevin Cuthbert | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| DF | Stewart Greacen | 37 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 9 |
| DF | Allan McManus | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| DF | Alex Walker | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| DF | Ryan Harding | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | David MacGregor | 23 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| DF | David van Zanten | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| DF | Alan Reid | 19 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| DF | Dominic Shimmin | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| MF | Jim McAlister | 37 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| MF | Neil MacFarlane | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| MF | Ryan McGuffie | 36 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| MF | Allan Jenkins | 23 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| MF | Kevin Finlayson | 33 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| MF | Steven Masterton | 14 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| MF | Carlo Monti | 19 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| MF | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Erik Paartalu | 18 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| MF | Ryan Kane | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | Michael Tidser | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| MF | Kevin McKinlay | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| FW | Peter Weatherson | 37 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 4 |
| FW | Brian Graham | 12 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| FW | Brian Wake | 9 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| FW | James Grady | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FW | Iain Russell | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FW | Donovan Simmonds | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| FW | David Witteveen | 9 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
References
- "Ayr United go down, Stirling Albion secure title". BBC Sport. 1 May 2010. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
- "Former football star quits job filming naked women to return to Scotland to play in the juniors". Daily Record. 19 April 2010. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
- "JAMIE STEVENSON SIGNS". eaststirlingfc.co.uk. 9 July 2009. Archived from the original on 11 July 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
- "SONS SIGN TWO". dumbartonfootballclub.com. 3 August 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
- "Northwich Vics announce new signings as transfer embargo is lifted by Football Conference". Mid-Cheshire Chronicle. 15 July 2009. Retrieved 24 July 2009.
- "Morton secure Queens' MacFarlane". BBC Sport. 4 June 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
- "Halliwell joins Ton for a month". BBC Sport. 27 July 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
- "Morton release goalkeeper Halliwell". The Scotsman. 1 September 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
- "Irons dismissed from Morton job". BBC Sport. 21 September 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
- "Morton appoint James Grady & Allan McManus as caretaker bosses". Daily Record. 22 September 2009. Archived from the original on 29 September 2009. Retrieved 20 October 2009.
- "Iain Russell joins Alloa Athletic on loan". gmfc.net. 11 September 2009. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2009.
- "Grady and McManus get Ton job". Greenock Telegraph. 31 October 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- "Morton bring in Van Zanten until January". Greenock Telegraph. 10 November 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
- "Alan Reid Signs". gmfc.net. 27 November 2009. Archived from the original on 30 November 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
- "Dumbarton 0–1 Morton". BBC Sport. 5 December 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
- "van Zanten signs". acciesfc.co.uk. 8 January 2010. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
- "Grady delighted with new boy". Greenock Telegraph. 13 January 2010. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
- "Grady rates game 50–50". Greenock Telegraph. 15 January 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
- "Gateshead in double transfer swoop". gateshead-fc.com. 26 January 2010. Archived from the original on 7 February 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
- "Kevin McKinlay". gmfc.net. 2 February 2010. Archived from the original on 9 February 2010. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
- "Erik Paartalu signs for Brisbane". brisbaneroar.com.au. 24 February 2010. Archived from the original on 6 March 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
- "Donovan Simmons [sic]". gmfc.net. 27 February 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
- "David's Morton deal". heartsfc.co.uk. 26 March 2010. Archived from the original on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
- "Player News". gmfc.net. 26 March 2010. Archived from the original on 31 March 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
- "McAlister out for season". Scottish Football League. 8 April 2010. Archived from the original on 14 April 2010. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
- "IRN-BRU Phenomenal Awards for March announced". Scottish Football League. 13 April 2010. Archived from the original on 14 April 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2010.