Greenock Morton 2009–10 football 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]
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
Out
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.
Fixtures and results
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
League table
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
References
See also
Domestic leagues Domestic cups European competitions Related to national team Club seasons
Premier League First Division Second Division Third Division