2011–12 Greenock Morton F.C. season


Season 2011–12 sees Greenock Morton compete in their fifth consecutive season in the First Division, having finished 7th in the 2010–11 season.

Story of the season

May

Top league goal scorer Allan Jenkins rejected a new deal at the club, and will join a new club on 15 May. It turned out that he was offered more money to go to Northern Ireland and sign for part-timers Ballymena United.
Brian Graham, Ryan Kane and Nathan Shepherd were all released.
Grant Evans signed a one-year permanent deal after his loan deal expired.
Ross Forsyth became Morton's second signing of the season, coming in on a free transfer from Stirling Albion, on a part-time basis.
Allan Moore confirmed pre-contract agreements with another two ex-Stirling players in Paul di Giacomo and Andy Graham, they completed the deals in June 2011.
Carlo Monti turned down a new contract offer with the club.
A slight variation on the strip sponsor was announced for the new season, with Golden Casket maintaining their place as sponsors, but replacing the Millions brand with Ferguson's Chocolate.
Kevin Kelbie was allowed to leave six months early to join Jenkins in Northern Ireland, signing for Glenavon.

June

Morton sign St Johnstone striker Andy Jackson on a free transfer, with Queen of the South midfielder Stephen McKenna expected to sign shortly. McKenna however rejected a move to Cappielow, preferring to stay at the Doonhamers.
Fouad Bachirou signed a new one-year deal, and loanee from last season Sean Fitzharris returned to the club after being released by Celtic.
Morton hired renowned sports scientist Graeme Jones, to improve the squad's fitness over the pre-season program.
A few unattached players took part in the first day of pre-season training, including Archie Campbell, Peter MacDonald and Darren McGeouch. Gavin Skelton was also spoken to regarding a possible move to Cappielow, and came into the training ground for a trial. Skelton signed for English non-league side Barrow after being offered a bumper contract; a major coup for the Bluebirds.
Trialists McGeouch and MacDonald scored in closed doors games against Airdrie United and Hibernian respectively.

July

Morton sign two youngsters, Creag Little and Conor Ramsay, from rivals St Mirren on free transfers.
Three more trialists signed up on one-year deals, Darren McGeouch, Peter MacDonald and Archie Campbell.
Morton lost 3–2 at home to Motherwell, with the afore-mentioned players all taking part, as well as trialists Josh Knight and Florian Verplanck.
Morton lost in the Renfrewshire Cup final for the sixth season in succession. This time, a 4–2 defeat with Peter Weatherson scoring two late consolations.
Morton recovered from this derby defeat by hammering Stranraer 8–0 in the Challenge Cup first round, and defeating Alloa Athletic in the League Cup.

August

Morton were drawn against rivals St Mirren in the League Cup, the first competitive meeting between the pair since in the Challenge Cup in 2005. Saints won the match 3–4, coming back from a 2–1 deficit at the break.
Ayr United agreed a deal to play their Challenge Cup tie against Raith Rovers at Cappielow.
Morton signed Reece McGillion from Hamilton Accies. The youngster had previously featured Sky1 TV show Football's Next Star where he finished 7th.
Kevin McCann signed on a short-term deal from Hibs.

September

Allan Moore received the Manager of the Month award for August, for taking the side to second place, tied on points with league favourites Hamilton Accies.
Morton defeated Ayr United to go top of the First Division.
Matthew McGinley was signed as a back-up to Colin Stewart, from junior side Rutherglen Glencairn.
On 24 September, captain Stuart McCaffrey tore his left plantar fascia in a match against Falkirk. This after months of treatment, eventually ruled him out for the entire season.

October

Youth director John Laird resigned from the club, citing "family reasons and additional business interests".
With a lack of fit midfielders available to him, Allan Moore attempted to bring in Derek Young as cover until January, awaiting international clearance from the Icelandic FA.
Morton were drawn at home to conquerors of Berwick Rangers, Highland Football League side Deveronvale in the third round of the Scottish Cup. The tie to be played on 19 November 2011 at Cappielow.

November

Moore completed the signing of Derek Young, and added the loan signing of Dominic Cervi from Celtic, after chairman Douglas Rae put up the additional funds to cover their wages.
Morton's groundsman, Mark Farrell, was named as having the best pitch in the First Division by the Institute of Groundsmanship.
Deveronvale were dispatched 5-1 as Morton moved into the Fourth Round of the Scottish Cup. Morton were drawn away to Raith Rovers in the fourth round.

December

Morton took former Spain U21 Jorge Larena and current Finland U21 international Tuomas Rannankari on trial. Larena eventually signed for Huesca.
Moore confirmed that Dominic Cervi would return to Celtic in January, and that it would be difficult to bring in Rannankari as he was still contracted to Twente.

January

Derek Young was offered a new contract, but Dominic Cervi returned to Celtic after his loan spell and Kevin McCann was allowed to leave after his contract expired.
Graham Gartland was rumoured to be in signing talks with the club, from St Johnstone. This was repudiated by the club, as they announced that Young had signed his contract extension. Gartland in the end signed for Shamrock Rovers back in his hometown of Dublin.
Morton traversed the challenge of Raith Rovers in Kirkcaldy to progress to the Fifth Round of the Scottish Cup with a comeback to win 2-1. After the draw for the next round was made by André Villas-Boas and Marcello Lippi, Morton were drawn away to Motherwell in the Fifth Round. Prices were confirmed as being £15 for adults, the same as a First Division game at Cappielow, so a considerable discount from Motherwell's usual SPL prices.
Tied top scorer Andy Jackson suffered a hairline fracture to his jaw, ruling him out for four to six weeks.
Morton legend Warren Hawke returned to the club to oversee the youth development at their youth academy.
After the news that McCaffrey's season was over Michael Tidser was named as the team captain at the age of 22.
Towards the end of the transfer window, Sean Fitzharris was released from the club.
Thomas O'Ware suffered a stress fracture to his tibia, ruling him out for at least a month.

February

Morton were trounced 6-0 by Motherwell to eliminate them from the Scottish Cup.

March

was appointed as director of Morton's youth academy.
Morton signed Scotland B international Alan Combe to replace Colin Stewart.
Jonatan Johansson became the new youth coach to work under Derek Anderson and Warren Hawke.
Iain Flannigan signed until the end of the season; plus Creag Little and Alistair Deans were loaned out to junior clubs.

April

Stuart McCaffrey announced that due to his injury he would be taking time out from football, but not announcing his retirement at this stage.
Morton found out that their opponents in the semi-final of the Renfrewshire Cup would be Gourock Thistle, to be play on 2 May 2012.
Despite only signing a few weeks earlier, Iain Flannigan broke his arm and would miss the remainder of the season.

May

Paul di Giacomo confirmed that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season to find a job and turn part-time.
Morton defeated Gourock Thistle in their Renfrewshire Cup semi-final by three goals to one; goals came from U17 midfielder Alan Frizzell, a header by young striker Lewis Hawke and a free kick by Peter Weatherson.
Morton finished the season in the 8th position, after a 3-1 home defeat to Raith Rovers.

First team transfers

Out

Squad (that played for first team)

Fixtures and results

Friendlies">Exhibition game">Friendlies

DateOpponentsStadiumResult
F – A
ScorersAttendance
30 June 2011HibernianTranent, Edinburgh2 – 5Peter MacDonald Closed door
30 June 2011Airdrie UnitedTranent, Edinburgh1 – 4Darren McGeouch Closed door
5 July 2011MotherwellCappielow Park, Greenock2 – 3Andy Graham
Andy Jackson
669
13 July 2011 WalsallCappielow Park, Greenock0 – 2608
16 July 2011St Mirren St Mirren Park, Paisley2 – 4Peter Weatherson TBC
16 July 2011Largs ThistleBarrfields Park, Largs0 - 2TBC
19 July 2011Queen's ParkHampden Park, Glasgow1 – 0Archie Campbell Closed door
27 September 2011MotherwellDalziel Park, Motherwell2 – 4Archie Campbell Public park
25 October 2011MotherwellNational Centre Inverclyde, Largs2 – 1Archie Campbell
TBC
Public Park
14 December 2011KilmarnockTBC2 - 0Paul di Giacomo
Andy Graham
Closed door
20 December 2011CelticLennoxtown training centre, Glasgow1 - 3David O'Brien Closed door
2 May 2012Gourock Thistle Cappielow Park, Greenock3 - 1Alan Frizzell
Lewis Hawke
Peter Weatherson
217

Scottish [Football League First Division">2011–12 Scottish First Division">Scottish [Football League First Division]

DateOpponentsStadiumResult
F – A
EventsAttendancePointsReferee
6 August 2011Ross CountyVictoria Park, Dingwall0 – 0Ross Forsyth 2,2491Steven McLean
13 August 2011LivingstonCappielow Park, Greenock2 – 1Michael Tidser
Kevin McCann
Peter MacDonald
Stuart McCaffrey
2,0254Brian Winter
20 August 2011Raith RoversStark's Park, Kirkcaldy1 – 1Paul di Giacomo
Peter MacDonald
2,1095Charlie Richmond
27 August 2011DundeeDens Park, Dundee1 – 0Peter MacDonald
Ross Forsyth
Marc Smyth
4,0968Frank McDermott
10 September 2011Ayr UnitedCappielow Park, Greenock4 – 1 Peter MacDonald
Andy Jackson
Peter Weatherson
2,01811Steve Conroy
17 September 2011Queen of the SouthPalmerston Park, Dumfries1 – 4 Peter MacDonald
Grant Evans
1,69911George Salmond
24 September 2011FalkirkCappielow Park, Greenock3 – 2 Peter MacDonald
Marc Smyth
Ross Forsyth
Andy Jackson
2,62114Crawford Allan
30 September 2011Partick ThistleFirhill Stadium, Maryhill, Glasgow0 – 5 Ross Forsyth
Andy Graham
3,38014Craig Charleston
15 October 2011Hamilton AcademicalCappielow Park, Greenock0 – 2Marc Smyth 2,26414George Salmond
22 October 2011LivingstonThe Braidwood Motor Company Stadium, Livingston1 – 1David O'Brien
Grant Evans
Matthew McGinley
1,74015Kevin Clancy
29 October 2011Ross CountyCappielow Park, Greenock0 – 2Fouad Bachirou 1,74815Charlie Richmond
5 November 2011Ayr UnitedSomerset Park, Ayr1 – 0David O'Brien
Peter MacDonald
Kevin McCann
1,57018Mike Tumilty
12 November 2011DundeeCappielow Park, Greenock1 - 2Andy Jackson
Grant Evans
2,20118Stevie O'Reilly
26 November 2011Queen of the SouthCappielow Park, Greenock2 - 2Andy Jackson
Peter Weatherson
1,35219Willie Collum
3 December 2011FalkirkFalkirk Stadium, Grangemouth0 - 13,11419Iain Brines
10 December 2011Partick ThistleCappielow Park, Greenock1 - 2Darren McGeouch
David O'Brien
1,84919John McKendrick
26 December 2011DundeeDens Park, Dundee1 - 0Andy Jackson
Thomas O'Ware
Peter MacDonald
5,86222John Beaton
2 January 2012Ayr UnitedCappielow Park, Greenock3 - 1Andy Graham
David O'Brien
Archie Campbell
Darren McGeouch
Paul Di Giacomo
2, 10825Stevie O'Reilly
14 January 2012Raith RoversCappielow Park, Greenock1 - 1David O'Brien
Thomas O'Ware
1,73926Kevin Clancy
28 January 2012Queen of the SouthPalmerston Park, Dumfries1 - 2David O'Brien
Creag Little
Archie Campbell
Grant Evans
1,44426Craig Charleston
11 February 2012FalkirkCappielow Park, Greenock0 - 0Michael Tidser
Grant Evans
1,75627Bobby Madden
14 February 2012Hamilton AcademicalNew Douglas Park, Hamilton2 - 1Archie Campbell
David O'Brien
Thomas O'Ware
1,35630Steve Conroy
18 February 2012Partick ThistleFirhill Stadium, Maryhill, Glasgow0 - 0Archie Campbell
Fouad Bachirou
2,30531Crawford Allan
25 February 2012Hamilton AcademicalCappielow Park, Greenock1 - 2Ross Forsyth
David O'Brien
1,59431John Beaton
3 March 2012Raith RoversStark's Park, Kirkcaldy0 - 5Peter Weatherson 1,48031George Salmond
10 March 2012LivingstonCappielow Park, Greenock1 - 3Marc Smyth
Peter MacDonald
Derek Young
1,39631Charlie Richmond
13 March 2012Ross CountyVictoria Park, Dingwall2 - 2Fouad Bachirou
Iain Flannigan
Peter Weatherson
Archie Campbell
2,32532Craig Charleston
17 March 2012DundeeCappielow Park, Greenock0 - 2Peter Weatherson
Marc Smyth
1,61032Stephen Finnie
20 March 2012FalkirkFalkirk Stadium, Grangemouth2 - 0Ross Forsyth
Michael Tidser
Archie Campbell
2,53835Euan Norris
24 March 2012Ayr UnitedSomerset Park, Ayr0 - 0Marc Smyth
Grant Evans
Derek Young
1,66936Iain Brines
7 April 2012Queen of the SouthCappielow Park, Greenock2 - 2Fouad Bachirou
Michael Tidser
Peter MacDonald
1,62237Crawford Allan
10 April 2012Partick ThistleCappielow Park, Greenock1 - 0Peter MacDonald
Derek Young
1,63740Steven McLean
14 April 2012Hamilton AcademicalNew Douglas Park, Hamilton3 - 4Andy Graham
Ross Forsyth
Fouad Bachirou
Simon Mensing
Darren McGeouch
Derek Young
1,42340David Somers
21 April 2012Ross CountyCappielow Park, Greenock1 - 1Marc Smyth 1,30641Brian Winter
28 April 2012LivingstonThe Braidwood Motor Company Stadium, Livingston0 - 0Andy Graham
Michael Tidser
1,57142Des Roache
5 May 2012Raith RoversCappielow Park, Greenock1 - 3Peter Weatherson
Lewis Hawke
1,81442Kevin Clancy

Scottish Cup">2011–12 Scottish Cup">Scottish Cup

Scottish League Cup">2011–12 Scottish League Cup">Scottish League Cup

Challenge Cup">2011–12 Scottish Challenge Cup">Challenge Cup

League table

Player statistics

All competitions

PositionPlayerStartsSubsUnused subsGoals Red cards Yellow cards
MF Fouad Bachirou3331104
FW / MF Archie Campbell18212802
GK Dominic Cervi 700000
GK Alan Combe1000000
GK Alistair Deans 1014000
MF Paul di Giacomo21103800
DF Grant Evans3821008
MF Sean Fitzharris372000
MF Iain Flannigan311001
DF Ross Forsyth3100009
MF Aidan Fulton 003000
MF Alan Frizzell 010000
DF Andy Graham2822012
FW Lewis Hawke 022100
DF Bryan Hodge 002000
FW Andy Jackson251151200
FW Joel Kasubandi 024000
GK Shahrukh Khatri 001000
DF Creag Little 2110001
FW Peter MacDonald37601505
DF Stuart McCaffrey1000011
DF / MF Kevin McCann1311002
MF Darren McGeouch18168201
GK Matthew McGinley2023001
MF David O'Brien4000804
DF Thomas O'Ware 1516003
DF Martin Orr 001000
MF Conor Ramsay 012000
DF / MF Marc Smyth3502107
GK Colin Stewart2405000
MF Michael Tidser2930302
DF / FW Peter Weatherson20184614
MF / DF Derek Young2022104

Awards

NationNameAwardMonth
Allan MooreFirst Division Manager of the MonthAugust
Peter MacDonaldGinger Boot WinnerSeptember