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

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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

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Neil MacFarlane was brought in under freedom of contract from Queen of the South.[6]

July

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Bryn Halliwell signed as emergency goalkeeping cover following injuries to Kevin Cuthbert and Colin Stewart.[7]

August

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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

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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

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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

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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

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After a replay, Morton defeated Dumbarton, to set up a Scottish Cup fourth round tie at Cappielow against Celtic.[15]

January

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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

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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

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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

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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]

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

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  • From end of 2008–09 season, to last match of season 2009–10
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)
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)

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

Fixtures and results

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  Win   Draw   Loss   Upcoming fixture

Date Opponents Stadium Result
F–A
Scorers Attendance
2 July 2009   Slovan Bratislava Austrian training camp 1–6 Adam Strachan (trialist)   ?
4 July 2009   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   Crawley Town Cappielow Park, Greenock 2–3 Jim McAlister     407
18 July 2009   Oxford United Cappielow Park, Greenock 0–3 859
20 July 2009   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
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   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   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'   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'   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   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
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
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
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

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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

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As of 1 May

All competitions

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# Player Played Subs      
GK   Bryn Halliwell 04 00 00 0 0
GK   Ryan McWilliams 03 00 00 0 0
GK   Colin Stewart 30 01 00 0 0
GK   Kevin Cuthbert 06 00 00 1 0
DF   Stewart Greacen 37 00 01 2 9
DF   Allan McManus 14 00 00 0 1
DF   Alex Walker 05 00 00 0 1
DF   Ryan Harding 04 00 00 0 0
DF   David MacGregor 23 07 01 0 1
DF   David van Zanten 09 00 01 0 1
DF   Alan Reid 19 00 00 1 1
DF   Dominic Shimmin 18 00 00 0 2
MF   Jim McAlister 37 00 01 0 2
MF   Neil MacFarlane 21 00 01 0 5
MF   Ryan McGuffie 36 02 04 0 2
MF   Allan Jenkins 23 06 02 0 2
MF   Kevin Finlayson 33 05 00 1 3
MF   Steven Masterton 14 05 04 0 6
MF   Carlo Monti 19 04 04 0 5
MF   Erik Paartalu 18 12 03 0 5
MF   Ryan Kane 00 05 00 0 0
MF   Michael Tidser 13 00 00 0 3
MF   Kevin McKinlay 07 01 00 0 2
FW   Peter Weatherson 37 03 12 0 4
FW   Brian Graham 12 17 03 0 6
FW   Brian Wake 09 10 04 0 0
FW   James Grady 01 04 00 0 0
FW   Iain Russell 05 01 00 0 0
FW   Donovan Simmonds 07 07 01 0 2
FW   David Witteveen 09 00 05 0 2

References

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  1. ^ a b "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.[permanent dead link]
  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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