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.
Story of the season
May
After the end of the 2008–09 season, Kieran McAnespie (signed for amateur side Milngavie Wanderers), Jamie Stevenson (signed for East Stirlingshire), Chris Smith (signed for Dumbarton) and Jon Newby (signed for Northwich Victoria) 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.
July
Bryn Halliwell signed as emergency goalkeeping cover following injuries to Kevin Cuthbert and Colin Stewart.
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.
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. Allan McManus and James Grady took over as caretakers until replacements for Irons and Collins could be appointed.
Iain Russell was loaned out to Alloa Athletic.
October
McManus and Grady were appointed permanently (until the end of the season) on Halloween 2009. 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.
Alan Reid was signed on a permanent basis on 27 November, following the release of Ryan Harding by mutual consent.
December
After a replay, Morton defeated Dumbarton, to set up a Scottish Cup fourth round tie at Cappielow against Celtic.
January
David van Zanten's short-term deal at Cappielow expires, and the Irishman signs for Hamilton Academical.
Ex-Celtic youth Michael Tidser returns from Sweden, where he played for Ostersunds FK to sign with Morton.
Alex Walker was loaned out to Brechin City for three months.
Brian Wake was released, with his next destination being Gateshead.
As the transfer window slammed shut, Kevin McKinlay was signed on a free transfer.
February
Erik Paartalu signed a pre-contract agreement with Brisbane Roar back in his homeland of Australia.
Donovan Simmonds was signed until the end of the season on a free transfer from Maltese Premier League side Floriana.
March
Austrian Striker David Witteveen signed on loan from Hearts until the end of the season.
Iain Russell and Ryan McWilliams were sent out on loan to Stirling Albion and Largs Thistle respectively.
April
Jim McAlister broke his foot in a 3–3 draw with Queen of the South – 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.
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.
First team transfers From end of 2008–09 season, to last match of season 2009–10
In PlayerFromFee 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 PlayerToFee 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)
Fixtures and results
Friendlies
DateOpponentsStadiumResultF–AScorersAttendance2 July 2009 Slovan BratislavaAustrian training camp1–6Adam Strachan (trialist) ?4 July 2009 Salzburg Sports Club 1914Austrian training camp8–1Ryan McGuffie Brian Wake Steven Masterton Brian Graham ?7 July 2009StranraerToryglen10 – 0 (abandoned)Brian Wake Brian Graham Peter Weatherson Carlo Monti Jim McAlister Trialists Public Park11 July 2009Annan AthleticGalabank, Annan1–1Steven Masterton 52513 July 2009 Crawley TownCappielow Park, Greenock2–3Jim McAlister 40718 July 2009 Oxford UnitedCappielow Park, Greenock0–385920 July 2009 Unirea UrziceniCappielow Park, Greenock1–3Steven Masterton 1,05923 July 2009KilmarnockMaryhill Science Centre, Glasgow1–1Iain Russell Public Park28 July 2009St Mirren (Renfrewshire Cup Final)St Mirren Park, Paisley1–2Allan Jenkins 4,3125 September 2009ClydeCappielow Park, Greenock4–0Erik Paartalu Peter Weatherson Closed Door14 September 2009RangersMurray Park, Milngavie1–3Allan Jenkins Closed Door15 December 2009RangersMurray Park, Milngavie1–1Brian Wake Closed Door22 December 2009St JohnstoneToryglen4–1Brian Wake Brian Graham Public Park8 January 2010St JohnstoneToryglen0–1Public Park3 February 2010Hamilton AcademicalNew Douglas Park, Hamilton4–1Donovan Simmonds (trialist) Jim McAlister Steven Masterton Own Goal Closed Door8 February 2010St JohnstoneCappielow Park, Greenock0–1Closed Door
Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division
DateOpponentsStadiumResultF–AEventsAttendancePointsReferee8 August 2009DundeeDens Park, Dundee0–1Steven Masterton Kevin Finlayson Brian Graham 5,4490C Boyle15 August 2009Dunfermline AthleticCappielow Park, Greenock0–2Stewart Greacen 2,6610W Collum22 August 2009Ayr UnitedSomerset Park, Ayr2–0Peter Weatherson Brian Graham 2,3043E Norris29 August 2009Partick ThistleFirhill Stadium, Glasgow0–5Neil MacFarlane Stewart Greacen 2,9863J McKendrick12 September 2009Inverness Caledonian ThistleCappielow Park, Greenock0–3Jim McAlister 1,9463C Richmond19 September 2009Raith RoversStark's Park, Kirkcaldy0–3Alex Walker Neil MacFarlane Stewart Greacen 2,0403S Finnie26 September 2009Airdrie UnitedCappielow Park, Greenock1–0Brian Graham David MacGregor 2,1046S O'Reilly3 October 2009Queen of the SouthPalmerston Park, Dumfries3–2Brian Graham Peter Weatherson Allan Jenkins 2,6309D McDonald10 October 2009Ross CountyCappielow Park, Greenock0–1Neil MacFarlane Peter Weatherson 2,1549C Boyle17 October 2009DundeeCappielow Park, Greenock0–1Allan McManus 2,2179B Winter24 October 2009Dunfermline AthleticEast End Park, Dunfermline1–3Erik Paartalu Ryan McGuffie 2,4119S Nicholls31 October 2009Inverness Caledonian ThistleTulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness1–4Erik Paartalu 3,0219C Murray7 November 2009Partick ThistleCappielow Park, Greenock0–22,7389G Salmond14 November 2009Raith RoversCappielow Park, Greenock5–0Erik Paartalu Brian Wake Peter Weatherson David van Zanten 1,71612S O'Reilly21 November 2009Airdrie UnitedShyberry Excelsior Stadium, Drumgelloch4–2Ryan McGuffie Brian Wake Erik Paartalu David van Zanten 1,16415S Conroy8 December 2009Ross CountyVictoria Park, Dingwall1–3Erik Paartalu Carlo Monti Alan Reid 1,75215J McKendrick12 December 2009Queen of the SouthCappielow Park, Greenock1–2Peter Weatherson 1,81415S Nicholls19 December 2009DundeeDens Park, Dundee1–3Peter Weatherson Carlo Monti 4,25915C Murray4 January 2010Partick ThistleFirhill Stadium, Glasgow0–12,19215I Brines23 January 2010Raith RoversStark's Park, Kirkcaldy2–1Peter Weatherson Michael Tidser Ryan McGuffie 1,70218C Allan13 February 2010Queen of the SouthPalmerston Park, Dumfries2–1Steven Masterton Kevin Finlayson Brian Graham Allan Jenkins 2,61121C Brown27 February 2010Dunfermline AthleticCappielow Park, Greenock1–2Ryan McGuffie Stewart Greacen 1,77621C Thomson6 March 2010Ayr UnitedSomerset Park, Ayr0–2Dominic Shimmin Stewart Greacen 2,14521S Nicholls13 March 2010Inverness Caledonian ThistleTulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness0–1Steven Masterton 2,70821S McLean17 March 2010Airdrie UnitedCappielow Park, Greenock2–1Peter Weatherson David MacGregor Michael Tidser Donovan Simmonds 1,26624S Conroy20 March 2010Partick ThistleCappielow Park, Greenock1–0Steven Masterton Peter Weatherson Jim McAlister 2,16327B Madden23 March 2010Raith RoversCappielow Park, Greenock1–1Kevin McKinlay Peter Weatherson Donovan Simmonds 1,41528S McLean27 March 2010Airdrie UnitedShyberry Excelsior Stadium, Drumgelloch0–3Kevin Cuthbert Kevin McKinlay 1,01728B Colvin30 March 2010Ayr UnitedCappielow Park, Greenock1–0Michael Tidser Steven Masterton Jim McAlister 1,28631A Law3 April 2010Queen of the SouthCappielow Park, Greenock3–3David Witteveen 1,92632J McKendrick6 April 2010Inverness Caledonian ThistleCappielow Park, Greenock0–21,27732B Winter13 April 2010Ross CountyCappielow Park, Greenock1–1Carlo Monti Erik Paartalu Stewart Greacen Brian Graham 1,21933F McDermott17 April 2010DundeeCappielow Park, Greenock2–2David Witteveen Carlo Monti Stewart Greacen 1,99834A Muir24 April 2010Dunfermline AthleticEast End Park, Dunfermline1–4Carlo Monti Dominic Shimmin 2,53234S Conroy26 April 2010Ross CountyVictoria Park, Dingwall1–2David Witteveen Ryan McGuffie Donovan Simmonds 1,85034C Charleston1 May 2010Ayr UnitedCappielow Park, Greenock2–1Stewart Greacen Carlo Monti 3,77137C Richmond
Active Nation Scottish Cup DateRoundOpponentsStadiumResultF–AEventsAttendanceReferee28 November 2009Round 3DumbartonCappielow Park, Greenock0–0Alan Reid 1,882S McLean5 December 2009Round 3 ReplayDumbartonStrathclyde Homes Stadium, Dumbarton1–0Brian Graham Erik Paartalu 1,495S McLean19 January 2010Round 4CelticCappielow Park, Greenock0–1Stewart Greacen Neil MacFarlane 10,191C Thomson
League Cup DateRoundOpponentsStadiumResultF–AEventsAttendanceReferee1 August 2009Round 1CowdenbeathCentral Park, Cowdenbeath3–1Peter Weatherson Neil MacFarlane Allan Jenkins 486B Winter 25 August 2009Round 2KilmarnockRugby Park, Kilmarnock1–3Ryan McGuffie Kevin Finlayson Allan Jenkins 3,645M Tumilty
Challenge Cup DateRoundOpponentsStadiumResultF–AEventsAttendanceReferee26 July 2009Round 1DumbartonStrathclyde Homes Stadium, Dumbarton1–0Allan Jenkins Stewart Greacen Steven Masterton Neil MacFarlane 1,122S Finnie19 August 2009Round 2Ross CountyVictoria Park, Dingwall1–2Steven Masterton 588J McKendrick
League table
Player statistics
All competitions