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]

Greenock Morton
2009–10 season
ChairmanDouglas Rae
ManagerDavie Irons (19/2/08-21/9/09)
James Grady (31/10/09-9/5/10)
Scottish First Division8th
Scottish CupFourth round
(eliminated by Celtic)
League CupSecond round
(eliminated by Kilmarnock)
Challenge CupSecond round
(eliminated by Ross County)
Top goalscorerLeague: Peter Weatherson (10)
All: Peter Weatherson (12)
Highest home attendanceLeague: 3,771 vs Ayr United
(1 May 2010)
Cup: 10,191 vs Celtic
(19 January 2009)
Lowest home attendanceLeague: 1,219 vs Ross County
(13 April 2010)
Cup: 1,882 vs Dumbarton
(28 November 2009)
Average home league attendance1,969

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
Scotland Neil MacFarlaneQueen of the SouthFree (June 2009)
England Bryn HalliwellQueen of the SouthFree (July 2009)
Republic of Ireland David van ZantenHibernianFree (November 2009)
Scotland Alan ReidUnattachedFree (November 2009)
Scotland Michael TidserÖstersunds FK (Sweden)Free (January 2010)
Scotland Kevin McKinlayDundalk (Ireland)Free (February 2010)
England Donovan SimmondsFloriana (Malta)Free (February 2010)
Austria David WitteveenHeart of MidlothianLoan (March 2010)

Out

Player To Fee
Scotland Kieran McAnespieMilngavie WanderersFree (May 2009)
Scotland Jamie StevensonEast StirlingshireFree (July 2009)
England Jon NewbyNorthwich Victoria (England)Free (July 2009)
Scotland Chris SmithDumbartonFree (August 2009)
England Bryn HalliwellForfar AthleticFree (August 2009)
Scotland Iain RussellAlloa AthleticLoan (September 2009)
Scotland Ryan HardingEast StirlingshireFree (November 2009)
Republic of Ireland David van ZantenHamilton AcademicalFree (January 2010)
Scotland Alex WalkerBrechin CityLoan (January 2010)
England Brian WakeGateshead (England)Free (January 2010)
Scotland Iain RussellStirling AlbionLoan (March 2010)
Scotland Ryan McWilliamsLargs ThistleLoan (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.

No. Pos. Nation Player
GK Scotland SCO Kevin Cuthbert
GK England ENG Bryn Halliwell (short-term contract)
GK Scotland SCO Ryan McWilliams
GK Scotland SCO Colin Stewart
DF Scotland SCO Stewart Greacen (captain)
DF Scotland SCO Ryan Harding
DF Scotland SCO David MacGregor
DF Scotland SCO Allan McManus
DF Scotland SCO Alan Reid
DF England ENG Dominic Shimmin
DF Ireland EIR David van Zanten (short-term contract)
DF Scotland SCO Alex Walker
MF Scotland SCO Kevin Finlayson
MF Scotland SCO Allan Jenkins
MF Scotland SCO Ryan Kane
No. Pos. Nation Player
MF Scotland SCO Neil MacFarlane
MF Scotland SCO Steven Masterton
MF Scotland SCO Jim McAlister
MF Scotland SCO Ryan McGuffie
MF Scotland SCO Kevin McKinlay
MF Scotland SCO Carlo Monti
MF Australia AUS Erik Paartalu
MF Scotland SCO Michael Tidser
FW Scotland SCO Brian Graham
FW Scotland SCO James Grady
FW Scotland SCO Iain Russell
FW England ENG Donovan Simmonds
FW England ENG Brian Wake
FW England ENG Peter Weatherson
FW Austria AUT David Witteveen (on loan from Hearts)

Fixtures and results

  Win   Draw   Loss   Upcoming fixture

Friendlies

Date Opponents Stadium Result
F–A
Scorers Attendance
2 July 2009 Slovakia Slovan Bratislava Austrian training camp 1–6 Adam Strachan (trialist) ?
4 July 2009 Austria Salzburg Sports Club 1914 Austrian training camp 8–1 Ryan McGuffie
Brian Wake
Steven Masterton
Brian Graham pen'
?
7 July 2009 Stranraer Toryglen 10 – 0 (abandoned) Brian Wake
Brian Graham
Peter Weatherson
Carlo Monti
Jim McAlister
Trialists
Public Park
11 July 2009 Annan Athletic Galabank, Annan 1–1 Steven Masterton pen' 525
13 July 2009 England Crawley Town Cappielow Park, Greenock 2–3 Jim McAlister 407
18 July 2009 England Oxford United Cappielow Park, Greenock 0–3 859
20 July 2009 Romania Unirea Urziceni Cappielow Park, Greenock 1–3 Steven Masterton 1,059
23 July 2009 Kilmarnock Maryhill Science Centre, Glasgow 1–1 Iain Russell Public Park
28 July 2009 St Mirren (Renfrewshire Cup Final) St Mirren Park, Paisley 1–2 Allan Jenkins 4,312
5 September 2009 Clyde Cappielow Park, Greenock 4–0 Erik Paartalu
Peter Weatherson
Closed Door
14 September 2009 Rangers Murray Park, Milngavie 1–3 Allan Jenkins Closed Door
15 December 2009 Rangers Murray Park, Milngavie 1–1 Brian Wake Closed Door
22 December 2009 St Johnstone Toryglen 4–1 Brian Wake
Brian Graham pen'
Public Park
8 January 2010 St Johnstone Toryglen 0–1 Public Park
3 February 2010 Hamilton Academical New Douglas Park, Hamilton 4–1 Donovan Simmonds (trialist)
Jim McAlister
Steven Masterton
Own Goal
Closed Door
8 February 2010 St Johnstone Cappielow Park, Greenock 0–1 Closed Door

Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division

Date Opponents Stadium Result
F–A
Events Attendance Points Referee
8 August 2009 Dundee Dens Park, Dundee 0–1 Steven Masterton Yellow card
Kevin Finlayson Yellow card
Brian Graham Yellow card
5,449 0 C Boyle
15 August 2009 Dunfermline Athletic Cappielow Park, Greenock 0–2 Stewart Greacen Yellow card 10' 2,661 0 W Collum
22 August 2009 Ayr United Somerset Park, Ayr 2–0 Peter Weatherson
23' 85'
Brian Graham Yellow card 66'
2,304 3 E Norris
29 August 2009 Partick Thistle Firhill Stadium, Glasgow 0–5 Neil MacFarlane Yellow card 56'
Stewart Greacen Red card 67'
2,986 3 J McKendrick
12 September 2009 Inverness Caledonian Thistle Cappielow Park, Greenock 0–3 Jim McAlister Yellow card 23' 1,946 3 C Richmond
19 September 2009 Raith Rovers Stark's Park, Kirkcaldy 0–3 Alex Walker Yellow card 45'
Neil MacFarlane Yellow card 59'
Stewart Greacen Yellow card 61'
2,040 3 S Finnie
26 September 2009 Airdrie United Cappielow Park, Greenock 1–0 Brian Graham 79' Yellow card 79'
David MacGregor Yellow card 90'
2,104 6 S O'Reilly
3 October 2009 Queen of the South Palmerston Park, Dumfries 3–2 Brian Graham 13'
Peter Weatherson 39'
Allan Jenkins 60'
2,630 9 D McDonald
10 October 2009 Ross County Cappielow Park, Greenock 0–1 Neil MacFarlane Yellow card
Peter Weatherson Yellow card
2,154 9 C Boyle
17 October 2009 Dundee Cappielow Park, Greenock 0–1 Allan McManus Yellow card 2,217 9 B Winter
24 October 2009 Dunfermline Athletic East End Park, Dunfermline 1–3 Erik Paartalu Yellow card 70'
Ryan McGuffie 74'
2,411 9 S Nicholls
31 October 2009 Inverness Caledonian Thistle Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness 1–4 Erik Paartalu Yellow card 28' 33' 3,021 9 C Murray
7 November 2009 Partick Thistle Cappielow Park, Greenock 0–2 2,738 9 G Salmond
14 November 2009 Raith Rovers Cappielow Park, Greenock 5–0 Erik Paartalu 14'
Brian Wake 55' 60'
Peter Weatherson
62' 89'
David van Zanten Yellow card 73'
1,716 12 S O'Reilly
21 November 2009 Airdrie United Shyberry Excelsior Stadium, Drumgelloch 4–2 Ryan McGuffie 43'
Brian Wake
45' 53'
Erik Paartalu Yellow card 49'
David van Zanten 67'
1,164 15 S Conroy
8 December 2009 Ross County Victoria Park, Dingwall 1–3 Erik Paartalu 29'
Carlo Monti Yellow card 62'
Alan Reid Red card 85'
1,752 15 J McKendrick
12 December 2009 Queen of the South Cappielow Park, Greenock 1–2 Peter Weatherson 23' 1,814 15 S Nicholls
19 December 2009 Dundee Dens Park, Dundee 1–3 Peter Weatherson 60'
Carlo Monti Yellow card 82'
4,259 15 C Murray
4 January 2010 Partick Thistle Firhill Stadium, Glasgow 0–1 2,192 15 I Brines
23 January 2010 Raith Rovers Stark's Park, Kirkcaldy 2–1 Peter Weatherson
33' 79'
Michael Tidser Yellow card 39'
Ryan McGuffie Yellow card 50'
1,702 18 C Allan
13 February 2010 Queen of the South Palmerston Park, Dumfries 2–1 Steven Masterton
7' 31' (pen) Yellow card 58'
Kevin Finlayson
Yellow card 72' Yellow card 77' Red card
Brian Graham Yellow card 90'
Allan Jenkins Yellow card 90'
2,611 21 C Brown
27 February 2010 Dunfermline Athletic Cappielow Park, Greenock 1–2 Ryan McGuffie 55'
Stewart Greacen Yellow card 68'
1,776 21 C Thomson
6 March 2010 Ayr United Somerset Park, Ayr 0–2 Dominic Shimmin Yellow card 31'
Stewart Greacen
Yellow card 58' Yellow card 84' Red card
2,145 21 S Nicholls
13 March 2010 Inverness Caledonian Thistle Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness 0–1 Steven Masterton Yellow card 58' 2,708 21 S McLean
17 March 2010 Airdrie United Cappielow Park, Greenock 2–1 Peter Weatherson
20' Yellow card 42'
David MacGregor 66'
Michael Tidser Yellow card 80'
Donovan Simmonds Yellow card 90'
1,266 24 S Conroy
20 March 2010 Partick Thistle Cappielow Park, Greenock 1–0 Steven Masterton Yellow card 59'
Peter Weatherson Yellow card 84'
Jim McAlister 90+3'
2,163 27 B Madden
23 March 2010 Raith Rovers Cappielow Park, Greenock 1–1 Kevin McKinlay Yellow card 26'
Peter Weatherson Yellow card 74'
Donovan Simmonds 85'
1,415 28 S McLean
27 March 2010 Airdrie United Shyberry Excelsior Stadium, Drumgelloch 0–3 Kevin Cuthbert Red card 15'
Kevin McKinlay Yellow card 64'
1,017 28 B Colvin
30 March 2010 Ayr United Cappielow Park, Greenock 1–0 Michael Tidser Yellow card 40'
Steven Masterton 78'
Jim McAlister Yellow card 89'
1,286 31 A Law
3 April 2010 Queen of the South Cappielow Park, Greenock 3–3 David Witteveen
15' 22' Yellow card 63'
90+1'
1,926 32 J McKendrick
6 April 2010 Inverness Caledonian Thistle Cappielow Park, Greenock 0–2 1,277 32 B Winter
13 April 2010 Ross County Cappielow Park, Greenock 1–1 Carlo Monti
6' (pen) Yellow card 60'
Erik Paartalu Yellow card 48'
Stewart Greacen Yellow card 69'
Brian Graham Yellow card 90+1'
1,219 33 F McDermott
17 April 2010 Dundee Cappielow Park, Greenock 2–2 David Witteveen 41'
Carlo Monti 64' (pen)
Stewart Greacen Yellow card 86'
1,998 34 A Muir
24 April 2010 Dunfermline Athletic East End Park, Dunfermline 1–4 Carlo Monti 40' (pen)
Dominic Shimmin Yellow card 90'
2,532 34 S Conroy
26 April 2010 Ross County Victoria Park, Dingwall 1–2 David Witteveen
Yellow card 34' 52'
Ryan McGuffie Yellow card 40'
Donovan Simmonds Yellow card 78'
1,850 34 C Charleston
1 May 2010 Ayr United Cappielow Park, Greenock 2–1 Stewart Greacen
Yellow card 17' 77'
Carlo Monti 86' Yellow card 88'
3,771 37 C Richmond

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 Yellow card 37' 1,882 S McLean
5 December 2009 Round 3 Replay Dumbarton Strathclyde Homes Stadium, Dumbarton 1–0 Brian Graham 74' Yellow card 86'
Erik Paartalu Yellow card 86'
1,495 S McLean
19 January 2010 Round 4 Celtic Cappielow Park, Greenock 0–1 Stewart Greacen Yellow card 51'
Neil MacFarlane Yellow card 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 Yellow card 76'
486 B Winter
25 August 2009 Round 2 Kilmarnock Rugby Park, Kilmarnock 1–3 Ryan McGuffie 44' (pen)
Kevin Finlayson Yellow card 54'
Allan Jenkins Yellow card 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 Yellow card 33'
Steven Masterton Yellow card 33'
Neil MacFarlane Yellow card 40'
1,122 S Finnie
19 August 2009 Round 2 Ross County Victoria Park, Dingwall 1–2 Steven Masterton 63' Yellow card 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
Source: Scottish Football League
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

#PlayerPlayedSubsRed cardYellow card
GKEngland Bryn Halliwell04000000
GKScotland Ryan McWilliams03000000
GKScotland Colin Stewart30010000
GKScotland Kevin Cuthbert06000010
DFScotland Stewart Greacen37000129
DFScotland Allan McManus14000001
DFScotland Alex Walker05000001
DFScotland Ryan Harding04000000
DFScotland David MacGregor23070101
DFRepublic of Ireland David van Zanten09000101
DFScotland Alan Reid19000011
DFEngland Dominic Shimmin18000002
MFScotland Jim McAlister37000102
MFScotland Neil MacFarlane21000105
MFScotland Ryan McGuffie36020402
MFScotland Allan Jenkins23060202
MFScotland Kevin Finlayson33050013
MFScotland Steven Masterton14050406
MFScotland Carlo Monti19040405
MFAustralia Erik Paartalu18120305
MFScotland Ryan Kane00050000
MFScotland Michael Tidser13000003
MFScotland Kevin McKinlay07010002
FWEngland Peter Weatherson37031204
FWScotland Brian Graham12170306
FWEngland Brian Wake09100400
FWScotland James Grady01040000
FWScotland Iain Russell05010000
FWEngland Donovan Simmonds07070102
FWAustria David Witteveen09000502

References

  1. "Ayr United go down, Stirling Albion secure title". BBC Sport. 1 May 2010. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  2. "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.
  3. "JAMIE STEVENSON SIGNS". eaststirlingfc.co.uk. 9 July 2009. Archived from the original on 11 July 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  4. "SONS SIGN TWO". dumbartonfootballclub.com. 3 August 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  5. "Northwich Vics announce new signings as transfer embargo is lifted by Football Conference". Mid-Cheshire Chronicle. 15 July 2009. Retrieved 24 July 2009.
  6. "Morton secure Queens' MacFarlane". BBC Sport. 4 June 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  7. "Halliwell joins Ton for a month". BBC Sport. 27 July 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
  8. "Morton release goalkeeper Halliwell". The Scotsman. 1 September 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
  9. "Irons dismissed from Morton job". BBC Sport. 21 September 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  10. "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.
  11. "Iain Russell joins Alloa Athletic on loan". gmfc.net. 11 September 2009. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2009.
  12. "Grady and McManus get Ton job". Greenock Telegraph. 31 October 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
  13. "Morton bring in Van Zanten until January". Greenock Telegraph. 10 November 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
  14. "Alan Reid Signs". gmfc.net. 27 November 2009. Archived from the original on 30 November 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
  15. "Dumbarton 0–1 Morton". BBC Sport. 5 December 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  16. "van Zanten signs". acciesfc.co.uk. 8 January 2010. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
  17. "Grady delighted with new boy". Greenock Telegraph. 13 January 2010. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  18. "Grady rates game 50–50". Greenock Telegraph. 15 January 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  19. "Gateshead in double transfer swoop". gateshead-fc.com. 26 January 2010. Archived from the original on 7 February 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
  20. "Kevin McKinlay". gmfc.net. 2 February 2010. Archived from the original on 9 February 2010. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
  21. "Erik Paartalu signs for Brisbane". brisbaneroar.com.au. 24 February 2010. Archived from the original on 6 March 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  22. "Donovan Simmons [sic]". gmfc.net. 27 February 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  23. "David's Morton deal". heartsfc.co.uk. 26 March 2010. Archived from the original on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
  24. "Player News". gmfc.net. 26 March 2010. Archived from the original on 31 March 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
  25. "McAlister out for season". Scottish Football League. 8 April 2010. Archived from the original on 14 April 2010. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
  26. "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.

See also

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