Season 2014–15 saw Greenock Morton compete in the Scottish League One the third tier of Scottish football, having finished bottom of the Scottish Championship in 2013–14. Morton will also compete in the Challenge Cup, Scottish League Cup and the Scottish Cup.
Morton won the championship on the final day of the regular season, on 2 May 2015, with a 3–1 victory over Peterhead.
Story of the season
May Kenny Shiels resigned as manager at the end of the previous season.
Marc Fitzpatrick left the club to look for a part-time club.
Morton appointed Clyde manager Jim Duffy as the replacement for Kenny Shiels. Duffy signed a two-year contract with the club.
Young defender Nicky Jamieson left to take up an accountancy apprenticeship with Ernst & Young.
Ten of the club's youth players signed new full-time contracts. Luke Irvine, Steven Lamont and Aidan Ferris were given six-month extensions, while Jordan Cairnie, Cameron O'Neil, Craig Knight, Lewis McIntyre, John Tennant, Dylan Stevenson and Thomas Orr penned two-year deals.
Derek Gaston agreed a new one-year deal with the club. Thomas O'Ware followed suit.
June
Ex-Ton midfielder Craig McPherson signed a two-year contract to become Jim Duffy's assistant.
Captain Dougie Imrie left the club to re-join Hamilton Academical after turning down a contract extension.
Morton re-signed Mark Russell on a two-year deal, whilst Stefan Milojević and Conor Pepper verbally agreed terms.
Scott Taggart left the club after rejecting a new deal.
Morton agreed terms with two more players, Michael Miller from Celtic, and ex-Hamilton Accies defender Lee Kilday. Kilday signed, along with Sean Crighton who was already working at the club as a youth coach.
Stefan Milojević, Conor Pepper and Stefan McCluskey all signed for the club.
Andrew Barrowman started training with the club.
July
Morton were drawn against Lowland Football League champions Spartans in the first round of the Scottish Challenge Cup.
Barrowman became the first new striker to sign with the club.
Morton received a second home cup tie of the season with a game against Berwick Rangers.
Morton defeated Viewfield Rovers 13–1 to confirm their place in the Renfrewshire Cup final. Barrowman scored a hat-trick, with Mark Russell and Joe McKee getting braces.
Morton signed trialist duo Jordan Allan and Ricki Lamie, as well as re-signing David McNeil, on short-term contracts.
Ex-St Mirren youth striker Jon Scullion signed a 6-month contract with the club.
After defeating Spartans in the first round, Morton received another home tie against Berwick Rangers in the second round of the Challenge Cup.
Stefan McCluskey's brother Jamie signed on a one-month contract, rejecting offers from India and Cyprus.
August Morton drew Partick Thistle at home in the second round of the League Cup.
Declan McManus signed on loan from Aberdeen until 6 January 2015.
Fouad Bachirou made a move to Swedish second-tier side Östersunds FK for an undisclosed fee.
After defeating Berwick in extra time in round 2, Morton were given a fifth successive home tie with a quarter final clash against Alloa Athletic.
Jamie McCluskey signed a contract extension to tie him to the club until the end of the season.
September Morton signed Rangers midfielder Robbie Crawford on a four-month loan spell.
Declan McManus received his first call-up to the Scotland U21 side.
Aidan Fulton was officially released by the club after failing to win a deal over the summer.
October Aidan Ferris was loaned out to Lowland League side BSC Glasgow.
In the Scottish Cup third round, drawn by Billy Connolly, Morton were given a home tie against Airdrieonians; whilst they were drawn away to Raith Rovers in the Scottish Youth Cup.
Third-choice goalkeeper Lewis McIntyre asked to be released from his contract.
November After defeating Raith 5–0, Morton were given a home draw in the fourth round of the Scottish Youth Cup.
Defender Luke Irvine (18) and goalkeeper Jamie McGowan (17) signed new 18-month contracts with the club's development squad.
Morton were eliminated from the Scottish Cup at the fourth round stage by Spartans; this was their first ever defeat against non-league opposition.
December Grant Adam was brought in as a trialist after injuries to Derek Gaston and Nicolas Caraux.
Morton were eliminated on penalties from the Scottish Youth Cup by bogey side Queen's Park.
Jim Duffy was named as League One manager of the month for November 2014.
Jon Scullion and Ricki Lamie were given contract extensions until the end of the season.
January Reece Hands was released by mutual consent.
Morton signed trialist goalkeeper Grant Adam as well as strikers Peter MacDonald and Ross Caldwell.
Andrew Barrowman was also released by mutual consent to sign for Dunfermline Athletic in a swap deal with Ross Forbes.
Aidan Ferris was given a contract until the end of the season after returning from a successful loan spell in Glasgow, Steven Lamont from the under-20s squad was also released, as were Jordan Allan and David McNeil.
David Hopkin left his post as reserve team manager to become assistant head coach at Livingston to Mark Burchill.
18 months after leaving for £50,000, Michael Tidser returned to the club on a free transfer, signing a -year contract. FIFA rules prevent him from playing for the club until next season however as he has already played for Rotherham and Oldham this season.
February Top scorer Declan McManus returned on loan for the rest of the season after failing to get any playing time back at Pittodrie.
Captain Peter MacDonald was ruled out after undergoing a back procedure to alleviate the pain of a bulging disc.
Gary McCann of junior side Irvine Meadow played as a trialist against Ayr United U20s.
Morton came to agreements with several junior sides to farm the development squad out to get first team experience whilst still being eligible to play for the U20s during the week.
March Another two youngsters went out on loan to junior sides.
Luke Irvine also joined Port Glasgow on loan.
Mark Russell was told by the chairman that he would be offered a new improved contract.
April Declan McManus was nominated for PFA Scotland League One Player of the Year.
Morton finished third in the Development League West with a victory over Queens Park, and the U17s won the Club Academy Scotland U16/17 South/West League with a 3–1 win against Ayr United.
May Declan McManus and Mark Russell were announced as being included in the PFA Scotland League One Team of the Year.
Morton finished the season as champions, defeating Peterhead by three goals to one; goals being scored by Mark Russell, Declan McManus and Michael Miller
McManus won the PFA Scotland League One Player of the Year award.
First team transfers From end of 2013–14 season, to last match of season 2014–15
In PlayerLast clubLeagueFee Michael Miller CelticScottish PremiershipFree Lee Kilday Hamilton AcademicalScottish PremiershipFree Sean Crighton Elgin CityScottish League TwoFree Stefan Milojević AirdrieoniansScottish League OneFree Conor Pepper Inverness Caledonian ThistleScottish PremiershipFree Stefan McCluskey ClydeScottish League TwoFree Andrew Barrowman LivingstonScottish ChampionshipFree Jordan Allan Dundee UnitedScottish PremiershipFree Ricki Lamie AirdrieoniansScottish League OneFree Jon Scullion St MirrenScottish PremiershipFree Jamie McCluskey Forfar AthleticScottish League OneFree Declan McManus AberdeenScottish PremiershipLoan Robbie Crawford RangersScottish ChampionshipLoan Grant Adam DundeeScottish PremiershipFree Ross Caldwell St MirrenScottish PremiershipFree Peter MacDonald DundeeScottish PremiershipFree Ross Forbes Dunfermline AthleticScottish League OneSwap with Andrew Barrowman Michael Tidser Rotherham UnitedFootball League ChampionshipFree Declan McManus AberdeenScottish PremiershipLoan
Out PlayerToLeagueFee Marc Fitzpatrick AirdrieoniansScottish League OneFree Nicky Jamieson Largs ThistleSuper League First DivisionFree David Robertson LivingstonScottish ChampionshipFree Dougie Imrie Hamilton AcademicalScottish PremiershipFree Darren Cole LivingstonScottish ChampionshipFree Jamie McCormack Brechin CityScottish League OneFree Garry O'Connor SelkirkLowland Football LeagueFree Rowan Vine Welling UnitedConference PremierFree Tony Wallace BSC GlasgowLowland Football LeagueFree David O'BrienRetired Ben Sampayo Grays AthleticIsthmian League Premier DivisionFree David Verlaque ClydebankWest of Scotland Super League Premier DivisionFree Scott Taggart DumbartonScottish ChampionshipFree Archie Campbell DumbartonScottish ChampionshipFree Adam Asghar Alloa AthleticScottish ChampionshipFree Fouad Bachirou Östersunds FKSuperettanUndisclosed Aidan FultonFree Aidan Ferris BSC GlasgowLowland Football LeagueLoan Jack Smith ArbroathScottish League TwoFree Lewis McIntyreFree David McNeil Greenock JuniorsWest of Scotland Super League First DivisionFree Reece HandsFree Andrew Barrowman Dunfermline AthleticScottish League OneSwap with Ross Forbes Steven Lamont StenhousemuirScottish League OneFree Jordan Allan MontroseScottish League TwoFree Jordan Cairnie Ardrossan Winton RoversScottish Junior Football Ayrshire Division OneLoan Dylan Stevenson Dalry ThistleScottish Junior Football Ayrshire Division OneLoan John Tennent Dalry ThistleScottish Junior Football Ayrshire Division OneLoan Craig Knight Port GlasgowScottish Junior Football Central Division TwoLoan Luke Irvine Port GlasgowScottish Junior Football Central Division TwoLoan
Squad (that played for first team)
Fixtures and results
Pre-season
Friendlies
Renfrewshire Cup
Scottish League One
Scottish Cup
Scottish League Cup
Scottish Challenge Cup
Development squad
Friendlies
Development League West
Scottish Youth Cup
League table
Player statistics
All competitions Additional positions played listed, if have started in more than one this season. Position Player Starts Subs Unused subs Goals Red cards Yellow cards GK Grant Adam 4 0 11 0 0 0MF Jordan Allan 1 7 15 0 1 0FW Andrew Barrowman 19 0 0 6 0 3FW Jordan Cairnie 0 1 5 0 0 0FW Ross Caldwell 10 7 0 4 0 3GK Nicolas Caraux 5 0 17 0 0 0MF Robbie Crawford (on loan from Rangers) 10 2 4 1 0 2DF Sean Crighton 36 1 3 0 1 4FW Aidan Ferris 0 3 6 0 0 0MF Ross Forbes 15 1 0 1 0 3GK Derek Gaston 34 0 7 0 0 0MF Reece Hands 5 7 5 1 0 0DF Luke Irvine 0 0 1 0 0 0DF Lee Kilday 43 1 0 3 0 4DF Craig Knight 0 0 8 0 0 0DF Ricki Lamie 33 4 5 0 1 7FW Peter MacDonald 10 5 0 4 0 2MF Jamie McCluskey 25 7 4 6 1 4FW Stefan McCluskey 21 9 5 7 1 6GK Jamie McGowan 1 1 8 0 0 0MF Joe McKee 26 5 5 4 1 5FW Declan McManus (on loan from Aberdeen) 34 0 0 23 0 8FW David McNeil 2 7 15 1 0 0DF / MF Michael Miller 23 6 6 1 0 4DF Stefan Milojević 27 2 6 1 0 5MF Cameron O'Neil 1 1 2 1 0 0FW Thomas Orr 0 3 4 0 0 0DF / MF / FW Thomas O'Ware 38 4 0 5 0 5MF Conor Pepper 27 4 4 2 1 9DF / MF Mark Russell 30 5 8 3 0 5MF / FW Jon Scullion 4 7 24 1 0 1MF Dylan Stevenson 0 1 0 0 0 0DF John Tennent 0 0 1 0 0 0
Development squad goalscorers
Including goals from the Development League West and SFA Youth Cup
Thomas Orr - 15 Jon Scullion - 11 David McNeil - 7 Jordan Allan, Jordan Cairnie & Aidan Ferris - 3 Cameron O'Neil, Stefan McCluskey & Reece Hands - 2 Joe McKee, Sean Crighton, Dylan Stevenson, Scott Tiffoney, Mark Russell, Scott Miller, Michael Tidser, John Mitchell & Alex McWaters - 1
Awards
Last updated 25 April 2014 NationNameAwardMonthJim DuffyLeague One Manager of the MonthNovember 2014 Declan McManusPFA Scotland League One Team of the YearMay 2015 Mark RussellPFA Scotland League One Team of the YearMay 2015Declan McManusSPFA League One Player of the Year May 2015
References