2016–17 Greenock Morton F.C. season

Greenock Morton
2016-17 season
Chairman Douglas Rae
Manager Jim Duffy
Stadium Cappielow Park
Championship 3rd in progress
Challenge Cup 3rd Round (lost v Queen's Park)
League Cup Semi-final (lost v Aberdeen)
Scottish Cup 3rd Round (still to play v Beith Juniors)
Top goalscorer League: Ross Forbes, Thomas O'Ware & Gary Oliver (4)
All: Jai Quitongo & Thomas O'Ware (6)
Highest home attendance League: 3,378 v St Mirren
Cup: 2,149 v Dundee United
Lowest home attendance League: 1,528 v Raith Rovers
Cup: 931 v Clyde
Average home league attendance 2,109
Home colours
Away colours
← 2015–16 2017–18 →

Season 2016–17 sees Greenock Morton compete in the Scottish Championship the second tier of Scottish football, having finished fifth in 2015-16. Morton will also compete in the Challenge Cup, Scottish League Cup and the Scottish Cup.

Story of the season

May

Manager Jim Duffy signed a new two-year deal after successfully keeping the team in the Championship and reaching two cup quarter-finals.[1]

Lee Kilday, Jon Scullion and Ricki Lamie were confirmed as having signed new contracts.[2]

Dylan Stevenson, John Mitchell, John Tennent, Thomas Orr, Jamie McGowan and Conor Pepper all agreed new deals.[3] Meanwhile, Peter MacDonald left the club for a second time,[3] to join Clyde.[4]

The other four senior players at the club, Stefan McCluskey, Michael Miller, Joe McKee and Andy McNeil were offered contracts.[5]

Six of the club's under-17 side made the step up to the full-time development squad.[6]

Derek Allan took a year off from coaching the club's under-17 side.[7]

The new coaching line-ups for the 2016–17 season were announced, with Livingston defender Sean Crighton and Thomas O'Ware coaching the club's under-15s.[8]

Morton gave their fans the chance to vote for a new strip after an Ajax-style strip was overwhelmingly rejected by the support.[9] The vote would go public on 27 May.[10]

Michael Miller left to sign with newly relegated Livingston.[11]

Craig McPherson signed a two-year deal to stay on as Jim Duffy's assistant.[12]

Joe McKee signed for Carlisle United,[13] whilst full-back Michael Doyle joined from St Johnstone.[14]

June

The new strip was announced as being blue and white hoops with yellow sidings.[15]

Morton found out that they would open their season with an away trip in the Betfred Cup to Albion Rovers.[16]

Jim Duffy signed his nephew Gary Oliver on a two-year deal from Queen of the South[17] for a nominal fee after he rejected terms at QotS as well as Plymouth Argyle and St Mirren.[18]

The new format of the Challenge Cup was announced, with Morton due to start in the third round instead of the first as in previous years.[19]

The fixture lists were released on 17 June, with a derby match away to St Mirren being announced as the first game of the season.[20]

Morton took three players in on trial including Kidderminster midfielder Reece Hales.[21] Hales's trial was ended along with an unnamed Dutch trialist, but Jamie McDonagh's trial was extended.[22] McDonagh was then offered a contract with the club, with the club expecting to hear back soon afterwards.[23]

July

Morton's chief executive Gillian Donaldson quit the club after 15 years.[24]

After a short trial, Morton signed Jamie McDonagh from Sheffield United and Caolan McAleer from Airdrie.[25]

Thomas Orr was loaned out to Livingston.[26]

Morton sign Celtic starlet Jamie Lindsay on loan for the season.[27]

Morton were given a second round tie away at Hamilton Accies in the League Cup.[28]

August

After a successful trial in a friendly against Kilbirnie Ladeside, Morton signed English striker Kudus Oyenuga on a one-year contract.[29]

Aidan Nesbitt signed on loan on 9 August.[30]

After defeating Hamilton Accies, Morton were given a quarter-final home tie against Dundee United.[31]

Dylan Stevenson left the club by mutual consent to join Junior side Auchinleck Talbot.[32]

Morton received a trip to Hampden Park in the third-round of the Challenge Cup, drawing Queen's Park away.[33]

Alex McWaters joined Largs Thistle on loan until January.[34] John Tennent also went out on loan to Lowland League side Cumbernauld Colts.[35]

Thomas Orr was recalled from his loan deal at Livingston.[36]

On the last day of the transfer window, Morton rejected an offer for Jai Quitongo from Doncaster Rovers.[37]

September

Morton signed Irish centre-back Gavin Gunning on a short-term deal.[38]

Winger Scott Tiffoney and full-back Lewis Strapp signed new deals to tie them to the club until summer 2018.[39]

Morton reached the semi-final of the Scottish League Cup for the first time since 1981 beating Dundee United to reach Hampden to face Aberdeen.[40]

Central midfielder Andy Murdoch joined the club.[41]

Morton's development squad were drawn at home to Banks O' Dee in the Scottish Youth Cup third round.[42]

October

Morton received an away draw against Junior side Beith Juniors in the third round of the Scottish Cup.[43]

Alongside Aidan Nesbitt who won his first cap earlier in the season; Jai Quitongo received his first call-up to the Scotland U21 call-up.[44]

November

After a convincing win over Banks O' Dee in the third round of the Scottish Youth Cup, Morton received an away tie against Motherwell in the fourth.[45]

John Tennent was recalled from his loan spell at Broadwood Stadium.[46]

Scott Tiffoney joined League Two side Clyde on loan until January.[47]

Thomas O'Ware was named October's player of the month, and Jim Duffy named as manager of the month.[48]

Andy Murdoch extended his contract until the end of the season.[49]

First team transfers

In

Player To League Fee
Scotland Michael Doyle Scotland St Johnstone Premiership Free
Scotland Gary Oliver Scotland Queen of the South Championship Nominal
Northern Ireland Jamie McDonagh England Sheffield United League One Free
Northern Ireland Caolan McAleer Scotland Airdrieonians League One Free
Scotland Jamie Lindsay Scotland Celtic Premiership Loan
England Kudus Oyenuga England Hartlepool United League Two Free
Scotland Aidan Nesbitt Scotland Celtic Premiership Loan
Republic of Ireland Gavin Gunning Scotland Dundee United Premiership Free
Scotland Andy Murdoch Scotland Rangers Premiership Free

Out

Player To League Fee
Scotland Peter MacDonald Scotland Clyde League Two Free
Scotland Bobby Barr Scotland Raith Rovers Championship Bosman
Scotland Michael Miller Scotland Livingston League One Bosman
Scotland Joe McKee England Carlisle United League Two Bosman
Scotland Stefan McCluskey Scotland Peterhead League One Free
Scotland Jamie McGowan Scotland Cumbernauld United West of Scotland Super League First Division Loan
Scotland Thomas Orr Scotland Livingston League One Loan
Scotland Dylan Stevenson Scotland Auchinleck Talbot West of Scotland Super League Premier Division Free
Scotland Alex McWaters Scotland Largs Thistle West of Scotland Super League Premier Division Loan
Scotland John Tennent Scotland Cumbernauld Colts Lowland Football League Loan
Scotland Scott Tiffoney Scotland Clyde League Two Loan

Fixtures and results

  Win   Draw   Loss   Upcoming fixture

Friendlies

Scottish Championship

Scottish Cup

Scottish League Cup

Scottish Challenge Cup

Development squad

Friendlies

Development League West

Scottish Youth Cup

Player statistics

As of 19 November 2016

All competitions

Position Player Starts Subs Unused subs Goals Red cards Red card Yellow cards
DFScotland Michael Doyle 19 1 2 0 0 2
MFScotland Ross Forbes 21 0 0 5 0 4
GKScotland Derek Gaston 11 1 7 0 0 0
DFRepublic of Ireland Gavin Gunning 8 0 1 0 0 0
DFScotland Lee Kilday 10 4 2 2 0 4
DFScotland Ricki Lamie 12 0 3 0 0 1
MFScotland Jamie Lindsay (on loan from Celtic) 17 1 1 1 0 5
MFNorthern Ireland Caolan McAleer 3 7 6 0 0 0
FWNorthern Ireland Jamie McDonagh 13 5 3 1 0 6
GKScotland Jamie McGowan 0 0 3 0 0 0
GKScotland Andrew McNeil 11 1 10 0 0 0
DFScotland John Mitchell 0 0 1 0 0 0
MFScotland Andy Murdoch 7 2 0 0 0 0
FWScotland Aidan Nesbitt (on loan from Celtic) 9 4 1 0 0 0
DF / MFScotland Thomas O'Ware 22 0 0 6 0 2
FWScotland Gary Oliver 21 0 0 5 0 2
FWScotland Thomas Orr 0 2 5 0 0 0
FWEngland Kudus Oyenuga 6 7 0 2 0 0
FWScotland Jai Quitongo 18 3 1 6 0 5
DFScotland Mark Russell 14 2 2 1 1 2
FWScotland Jon Scullion 1 6 14 0 0 0
MFScotland Dylan Stevenson 1 1 3 0 0 1
DFScotland Lewis Strapp 3 0 12 0 0 0
DFScotland John Tennent 0 0 5 0 0 0
MFScotland Michael Tidser 10 4 1 0 0 2
FWScotland Scott Tiffoney 3 11 3 0 0 1

Development squad goalscorers

Including goals from the Development League West and SFA Youth Cup

Awards

Last updated 16 November 2016
Nation Name Award Month
Scotland Thomas O'Ware Championship Player of the Month November 2016
Scotland Jim Duffy Championship Manager of the Month November 2016

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Hibernian 15 9 4 2 26 8 +18 31 Promotion to Scottish Premiership
2 Dundee United 15 9 4 2 24 12 +12 31 Qualification to Premiership play-off semi-finals
3 Falkirk 15 7 4 4 21 16 +5 25 Qualification to Premiership play-off quarter-finals
4 Greenock Morton 14 6 5 3 21 15 +6 23
5 Raith Rovers 14 6 5 3 19 14 +5 23
6 Queen of the South 14 5 3 6 16 21 −5 18
7 Ayr United 15 4 4 7 13 22 −9 16
8 Dumbarton 15 3 5 7 14 21 −7 14
9 Dunfermline Athletic 15 3 4 8 17 25 −8 13 Qualification to Championship play-offs
10 St Mirren 14 0 4 10 11 28 −17 4 Relegation to Scottish League One
Updated to match(es) played on 3 December 2016. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored

References

  1. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (30 April 2016). "Morton manager signs two-year deal". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  2. ↑ "Player news - three confirmed". Greenock Morton F.C. 3 May 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  3. 1 2 Mitchell, Jonathan (5 May 2016). "Five starts to stay at Morton". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  4. ↑ "Clyde move for MacDonald". SPFL. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  5. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (6 May 2016). "Duffy: McKee could leave Morton to make England return". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  6. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (10 May 2016). "Six Morton Under-17s offered full-time deals". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  7. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (12 May 2016). "Morton under-17s coach to step down for a year". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  8. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (19 May 2016). "Crighton will partner O'Ware in Morton youth academy". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  9. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (22 May 2016). "Morton fans can vote for new kit". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  10. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (27 May 2016). "Exclusive look at five Morton jerseys fans can vote for". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  11. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (23 May 2016). "Michael Miller leaves Morton to pen deal with League One side Livingston". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  12. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (23 May 2015). "McPherson: Assistant agrees to stay at Morton". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  13. ↑ Hall, Andy (24 May 2016). "Lee Dykes on the signing of Joe McKee". Carlisle United F.C. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  14. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (24 May 2016). "Duffy set to secure Saints defender". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  15. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (1 June 2016). "Pin-stripe kit is Morton fan's favourite". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  16. ↑ "Scottish League Cup opening group fixtures confirmed". BBC Sport. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  17. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (3 June 2016). "Morton add new face as boss Duffy signs his nephew". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  18. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (5 June 2016). "Morton saw off competition to land forward Oliver". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  19. ↑ "Northern Irish and Welsh sides to join top flight U20s in Challenge Cup". Scottish Television. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  20. ↑ Steele, Russell (17 June 2016). "Morton to meet St Mirren on opening day of the season". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  21. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (21 June 2016). "Morton boss to run the rule over trialists". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  22. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (27 June 2016). "Morton trial extended for McDonagh". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  23. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (30 June 2016). "McDonagh considers Morton offer". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  24. ↑ Steele, Russell (5 July 2016). "Morton chief executive Gillian Donaldson quits club". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  25. ↑ Steele, Russell (14 July 2016). "Midfielder McAleer delighted to sign for Morton". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  26. ↑ "New striker comes on loan". Livingston F.C. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  27. ↑ "Jamie Lindsay joins Greenock Morton on loan". Celtic F.C. 28 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  28. ↑ "Betfred Cup second round draw". SPFL. 31 July 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  29. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (8 August 2016). "Kudus Oyenuga signs for Morton". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  30. ↑ "Morton sign Aidan Nesbitt on loan from Celtic". Greenock Telegraph. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  31. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (11 August 2016). "Morton paired with Dundee United". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  32. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (15 August 2016). "Dylan Stevenson leaves Morton by mutual consent". Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  33. ↑ "Irn-Bru Cup R3 draw live today". SPFL. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  34. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (30 August 2016). "Alex McWaters joins Largs Thistle on loan". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  35. ↑ "Morton send youngster out on loan". Greenock Telegraph. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  36. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (30 August 2016). "Thomas Orr returns from Livingston". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  37. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (31 August 2016). "Jai Quitongo bid rejected". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  38. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (15 September 2016). "Gavin Gunning signs until January". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  39. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (19 September 2016). "Strapp and Tiffoney sign contract extensions". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  40. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (22 September 2016). "Morton draw Aberdeen in Betfred Cup semi-final". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  41. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (23 September 2016). "Midfielder Andy Murdoch joins until January". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  42. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (29 September 2016). "Under-20s drawn against Banks O' Dee". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  43. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (26 October 2016). "Beith cup tie is no trip into the unknown for Andy". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  44. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (31 October 2016). "Quitongo & Nesbitt named in Scots U-21 squad". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  45. ↑ "Scottish Youth Cup 2016/17 4th Round Draw". Scottish Football Association. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  46. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (9 November 2016). "John Tennent recalled from loan". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  47. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (10 November 2016). "Scott Tiffoney joins Clyde on loan until January". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  48. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (16 November 2016). "Duffy shares credit for award with staff and squad". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  49. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (16 November 2016). "Murdoch signs until end of the season". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
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