2009–10 Greenock Morton F.C. season

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

Out

Squad (that played for first team)

Fixtures and results

[[Exhibition game|Friendlies]]

[[2009–10 Scottish First Division|Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division]]

[[2009–10 Scottish Cup|Active Nation Scottish Cup]]

[[2009–10 Scottish League Cup|League Cup]]

[[2009–10 Scottish Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]

League table

Player statistics

All competitions

References

References

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