2009–10 Greenock Morton F.C. season

Greenock Morton
2009-10 season
Chairman Scotland Douglas Rae
Manager Scotland Davie Irons (19/2/08-21/9/09)
Scotland James Grady (31/10/09-9/5/10)
Scottish First Division 8th
Scottish Cup Fourth Round (lost to Celtic)
League Cup Second Round (lost to Kilmarnock)
Challenge Cup Second Round (lost to 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
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours

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]

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

In

Player From Fee
Scotland Neil MacFarlane Queen of the South Free (June 2009)
England Bryn Halliwell Queen of the South Free (July 2009)
Republic of Ireland David van Zanten Hibernian Free (November 2009)
Scotland Alan Reid Unattached Free (November 2009)
Scotland Michael Tidser Östersunds FK (Sweden) Free (January 2010)
Scotland Kevin McKinlay Dundalk (Ireland) Free (February 2010)
England Donovan Simmonds Floriana (Malta) Free (February 2010)
Austria David Witteveen Heart of Midlothian Loan (March 2010)

Out

Player To Fee
Scotland Kieran McAnespie Milngavie Wanderers Free (May 2009)
Scotland Jamie Stevenson East Stirlingshire Free (July 2009)
England Jon Newby Northwich Victoria (England) Free (July 2009)
Scotland Chris Smith Dumbarton Free (August 2009)
England Bryn Halliwell Forfar Athletic Free (August 2009)
Scotland Iain Russell Alloa Athletic Loan (September 2009)
Scotland Ryan Harding East Stirlingshire Free (November 2009)
Republic of Ireland David van Zanten Hamilton Academical Free (January 2010)
Scotland Alex Walker Brechin City Loan (January 2010)
England Brian Wake Gateshead (England) Free (January 2010)
Scotland Iain Russell Stirling Albion Loan (March 2010)
Scotland 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.

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

Player statistics

As of 1 May

All competitions

# Player Played Subs Red card
GK England Bryn Halliwell 4 0 0 0 0
GK Scotland Ryan McWilliams 3 0 0 0 0
GK Scotland Colin Stewart 30 1 0 0 0
GK Scotland Kevin Cuthbert 6 0 0 1 0
DF Scotland Stewart Greacen 37 0 1 2 9
DF Scotland Allan McManus 14 0 0 0 1
DF Scotland Alex Walker 5 0 0 0 1
DF Scotland Ryan Harding 4 0 0 0 0
DF Scotland David MacGregor 23 7 1 0 1
DF Republic of Ireland David van Zanten 9 0 1 0 1
DF Scotland Alan Reid 19 0 0 1 1
DF England Dominic Shimmin 18 0 0 0 2
MF Scotland Jim McAlister 37 0 1 0 2
MF Scotland Neil MacFarlane 21 0 1 0 5
MF Scotland Ryan McGuffie 36 2 4 0 2
MF Scotland Allan Jenkins 23 6 2 0 2
MF Scotland Kevin Finlayson 33 5 0 1 3
MF Scotland Steven Masterton 14 5 4 0 6
MF Scotland Carlo Monti 19 4 4 0 5
MF Australia Erik Paartalu 18 12 3 0 5
MF Scotland Ryan Kane 0 5 0 0 0
MF Scotland Michael Tidser 13 0 0 0 3
MF Scotland Kevin McKinlay 7 1 0 0 2
FW England Peter Weatherson 37 3 12 0 4
FW Scotland Brian Graham 12 17 3 0 6
FW England Brian Wake 9 10 4 0 0
FW Scotland James Grady 1 4 0 0 0
FW Scotland Iain Russell 5 1 0 0 0
FW England Donovan Simmonds 7 7 1 0 2
FW Austria David Witteveen 9 0 5 0 2

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
Kevin Finlayson
Brian Graham
5,449 0 C Boyle
15 August 2009 Dunfermline Athletic Cappielow Park, Greenock 0 – 2 Stewart Greacen  10' 2,661 0 W Collum
22 August 2009 Ayr United Somerset Park, Ayr 2 - 0 Peter Weatherson
 23'  85'
Brian Graham  66'
2,304 3 E Norris
29 August 2009 Partick Thistle Firhill Stadium, Glasgow 0 – 5 Neil MacFarlane  56'
Stewart Greacen Red card 67'
2,986 3 J McKendrick
12 September 2009 Inverness Caledonian Thistle Cappielow Park, Greenock 0 – 3 Jim McAlister  23' 1,946 3 C Richmond
19 September 2009 Raith Rovers Stark's Park, Kirkcaldy 0 – 3 Alex Walker  45'
Neil MacFarlane  59'
Stewart Greacen  61'
2,040 3 S Finnie
26 September 2009 Airdrie United Cappielow Park, Greenock 1 - 0 Brian Graham  79'  79'
David MacGregor  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
Peter Weatherson
2,154 9 C Boyle
17 October 2009 Dundee Cappielow Park, Greenock 0 - 1 Allan McManus 2,217 9 B Winter
24 October 2009 Dunfermline Athletic East End Park, Dunfermline 1 - 3 Erik Paartalu  70'
Ryan McGuffie  74'
2,411 9 S Nicholls
31 October 2009 Inverness Caledonian Thistle Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness 1 - 4 Erik Paartalu  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  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  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  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  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  39'
Ryan McGuffie  50'
1,702 18 C Allan
13 February 2010 Queen of the South Palmerston Park, Dumfries 2 - 1 Steven Masterton
 7'  31' (pen)  58'
Kevin Finlayson
 72' Yellow cardRed card 77'
Brian Graham  90'
Allan Jenkins  90'
2,611 21 C Brown
27 February 2010 Dunfermline Athletic Cappielow Park, Greenock 1 - 2 Ryan McGuffie  55'
Stewart Greacen  68'
1,776 21 C Thomson
6 March 2010 Ayr United Somerset Park, Ayr 0 - 2 Dominic Shimmin  31'
Stewart Greacen
 58' Yellow cardRed card 84'
2,145 21 S Nicholls
13 March 2010 Inverness Caledonian Thistle Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness 0 - 1 Steven Masterton  58' 2,708 21 S McLean
17 March 2010 Airdrie United Cappielow Park, Greenock 2 - 1 Peter Weatherson
 20'  42'
David MacGregor  66'
Michael Tidser  80'
Donovan Simmonds  90'
1,266 24 S Conroy
20 March 2010 Partick Thistle Cappielow Park, Greenock 1 - 0 Steven Masterton  59'
Peter Weatherson  84'
Jim McAlister  90+3'
2,163 27 B Madden
23 March 2010 Raith Rovers Cappielow Park, Greenock 1 - 1 Kevin McKinlay  26'
Peter Weatherson  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  64'
1,017 28 B Colvin
30 March 2010 Ayr United Cappielow Park, Greenock 1 - 0 Michael Tidser  40'
Steven Masterton  78'
Jim McAlister  89'
1,286 31 A Law
3 April 2010 Queen of the South Cappielow Park, Greenock 3 - 3 David Witteveen
 15'  22'  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)  60'
Erik Paartalu  48'
Stewart Greacen  69'
Brian Graham  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  86'
1,998 34 A Muir
24 April 2010 Dunfermline Athletic East End Park, Dunfermline 1 - 4 Carlo Monti  40' (pen)
Dominic Shimmin  90'
2,532 34 S Conroy
26 April 2010 Ross County Victoria Park, Dingwall 1 - 2 David Witteveen
 34'  52'
Ryan McGuffie  40'
Donovan Simmonds  78'
1,850 34 C Charleston
1 May 2010 Ayr United Cappielow Park, Greenock 2 - 1 Stewart Greacen
 17'  77'
Carlo Monti  86'  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  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

References

  1. 1 2 "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. 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. Retrieved 20 October 2009.
  11. "Iain Russell joins Alloa Athletic on loan". gmfc.net. 11 September 2009. 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. 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. 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. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
  20. "Kevin McKinlay". gmfc.net. 2 February 2010. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
  21. "Erik Paartalu signs for Brisbane". brisbaneroar.com.au. 24 February 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  22. "Donovan Simmons [sic]". gmfc.net. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  23. "David's Morton deal". heartsfc.co.uk. 26 March 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
  24. "Player News". gmfc.net. 26 March 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
  25. "McAlister out for season". Scottish Football League. 8 April 2010. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
  26. "IRN-BRU Phenomenal Awards for March announced". Scottish Football League. 13 April 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2010.

See also

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