# 2016–17 Greenock Morton F.C. season

Season 2016–17 saw Greenock Morton compete in the Scottish Championship the second tier of Scottish football, having finished fifth in 2015-16. Morton also competed 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.
Lee Kilday, Jon Scullion and Ricki Lamie were confirmed as having signed new contracts.
Dylan Stevenson, John Mitchell, John Tennent, Thomas Orr, Jamie McGowan and Conor Pepper all agreed new deals. Meanwhile, Peter MacDonald left the club for a second time, to join Clyde.
The other four senior players at the club, Stefan McCluskey, Michael Miller, Joe McKee and Andy McNeil were offered contracts.
Six of the club's under-17 side made the step up to the full-time development squad.
Derek Allan took a year off from coaching the club's under-17 side.
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.
Morton gave their fans the chance to vote for a new strip after an Ajax-style strip was overwhelmingly rejected by the support. The vote would go public on 27 May.
Michael Miller left to sign with newly relegated Livingston.
Craig McPherson signed a two-year deal to stay on as Jim Duffy's assistant.
Joe McKee signed for Carlisle United, whilst full-back Michael Doyle joined from St Johnstone.

### June

The new strip was announced as being blue and white hoops with yellow sidings.
Morton found out that they would open their season with an away trip in the Betfred Cup to Albion Rovers.
Jim Duffy signed his nephew Gary Oliver on a two-year deal from Queen of the South for a nominal fee after he rejected terms at QotS as well as Plymouth Argyle and St Mirren.
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.
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.
Morton took three players in on trial including Kidderminster midfielder Reece Hales. Hales's trial was ended along with an unnamed Dutch trialist, but Jamie McDonagh's trial was extended. McDonagh was then offered a contract with the club, with the club expecting to hear back soon afterwards.

### July

Morton's chief executive Gillian Donaldson quit the club after 15 years.
After a short trial, Morton signed Jamie McDonagh from Sheffield United and Caolan McAleer from Airdrie.
Thomas Orr was loaned out to Livingston.
Morton sign Celtic starlet Jamie Lindsay on loan for the season.
Morton were given a second round tie away at Hamilton Accies in the League Cup.

### August

After a successful trial in a friendly against Kilbirnie Ladeside, Morton signed English striker Kudus Oyenuga on a one-year contract.
Aidan Nesbitt signed on loan on 9 August.
After defeating Hamilton Accies, Morton were given a quarter-final home tie against Dundee United.
Dylan Stevenson left the club by mutual consent to join Junior side Auchinleck Talbot.
Morton received a trip to Hampden Park in the third-round of the Challenge Cup, drawing Queen's Park away.
Alex McWaters joined Largs Thistle on loan until January. John Tennent also went out on loan to Lowland League side Cumbernauld Colts.
Thomas Orr was recalled from his loan deal at Livingston.
On the last day of the transfer window, Morton rejected an offer for Jai Quitongo from Doncaster Rovers.

### September

Morton signed Irish centre-back Gavin Gunning on a short-term deal.
Winger Scott Tiffoney and full-back Lewis Strapp signed new deals to tie them to the club until summer 2018.
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.
Central midfielder Andy Murdoch joined the club.
Morton's development squad were drawn at home to Banks O' Dee in the Scottish Youth Cup third round.

### October

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

### 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.
John Tennent was recalled from his loan spell at Broadwood Stadium.
Scott Tiffoney joined League Two side Clyde on loan until January.
Thomas O'Ware was named October's player of the month, and Jim Duffy named as manager of the month.
Andy Murdoch extended his contract until the end of the season.

### December

Morton defeated Beith Juniors 6-0 to progress to a fourth round meeting with Falkirk.
Development squad defender John Mitchell made a short-term loan switch to local side Greenock Juniors.
Caolan McAleer was allowed to leave the club early and return to Northern Ireland.
Jon Scullion signed until the end of the season.
A red tartan effort was chosen by fan vote to be the new away strip for next season.
Kudus Oyenuga signed a contract extension until the end of the season.

### January

John Tennent was released at the end of his short-term contract, as Scott Tiffoney returned from Clyde.
Andrew McNeil left the club to move into coaching with Guangzhou R&F.
Reserve team captain Ruaridh Langan joined Neilston Juniors on loan, whilst Alex McWaters spell at Largs Thistle was extended until the end of January.
Aidan Nesbitt's loan was extended until the end of the season.
Gavin Gunning left the club on the expiration of his short-term contract to sign for EFL League Two side Grimsby Town.
Warren Hawke was appointed chief executive of the club.
After his loan at St Mirren was terminated, Lawrence Shankland signed on loan from Aberdeen.
After defeating Falkirk in round 4, Morton were given an away tie against Rangers at Ibrox Stadium.
Blair Docherty signed his first professional contract, tying him to the club until the end of May.
Cappielow was announced as being the host for the Scotland U17 game against their Montenegrin counterparts. The schoolboy international with England will also be played at Cappielow.
Thomas Orr joined ex-Morton striker Aidan Ferris when he signed on loan at Alloa-based Scottish Lowland Football League side BSC Glasgow.

### February

Ross Forbes won SPFL Championship Player of the Month for January 2017.
Morton signed a third player on loan from Celtic; long-time target, forward Luke Donnelly.
Dumbarton striker Robert Thomson signed a pre-contract agreement with the club.

### March

Jai Quitongo signed a contract extension to keep him at the club for a further year.

### April

Bryn Halliwell returned to the club on loan from Gartcairn Juniors to provide back-up to Derek Gaston.
Despite a serious downturn in form, Morton secured a playoff place thanks to other results going their way.
Ross Forbes was nominated for Championship Player of the Year.

### May

Jim Duffy was nominated for SPFL Manager of the Year, alongside Brendan Rodgers, Alan Archibald and Derek McInnes.
Ross Forbes and Thomas O'Ware were selected in the PFA Scotland Championship Team of the Year.
Thomas Orr, Alex McWaters and John Mitchell were released. Meanwhile youngsters Jamie McGowan and Ben Armour signed one-year and six-month extensions respectively.
Four members of the first team squad were released; Kudus Oyenuga, Conor Pepper, Jon Scullion and Jamie McDonagh.
Jim Duffy was named as Championship Manager of the Season by league sponsors Ladbrokes.

## First team transfers

* From end of 2015-16 season, to last match of season 2016-17

### In

| Player | From | League | Fee |
| Michael Doyle | St Johnstone | Scottish Premiership | Free |
| Gary Oliver | Queen of the South | Scottish Championship | Nominal |
| Jamie McDonagh | Sheffield United | EFL League One | Free |
| Caolan McAleer | Airdrieonians | Scottish League One | Free |
| Jamie Lindsay | Celtic | Scottish Premiership | Loan |
| Kudus Oyenuga | Hartlepool United | EFL League Two | Free |
| Aidan Nesbitt | Celtic | Scottish Premiership | Loan |
| Gavin Gunning | Dundee United | Scottish Premiership | Free |
| Andy Murdoch | Rangers | Scottish Premiership | Free |
| Lawrence Shankland | Aberdeen | Scottish Premiership | Loan |
| Luke Donnelly | Celtic | Scottish Premiership | Loan |
| Bryn Halliwell | Gartcairn Juniors | West of Scotland League Central District Second Division | Loan |

### Out

| Player | To | League | Fee |
| Peter MacDonald | Clyde | Scottish League Two | Free |
| Bobby Barr | Raith Rovers | Scottish Championship | Bosman |
| Michael Miller | Livingston | Scottish League One | Bosman |
| Joe McKee | Carlisle United | EFL League Two | Bosman |
| Stefan McCluskey | Peterhead | Scottish League One | Free |
| Jamie McGowan | Cumbernauld United | West of Scotland Super League First Division | Loan |
| Thomas Orr | Livingston | Scottish League One | Loan |
| Dylan Stevenson | Auchinleck Talbot | West of Scotland Super League Premier Division | Free |
| Alex McWaters | Largs Thistle | West of Scotland Super League Premier Division | Loan |
| John Tennent | Cumbernauld Colts | Scottish Lowland Football League | Loan |
| Scott Tiffoney | Clyde | Scottish League Two | Loan |
| John Mitchell | Greenock Juniors | West of Scotland League Central District First Division | Loan |
| Caolan McAleer | Finn Harps | League of Ireland Premier Division | Free |
| John Tennent | Largs Thistle | West of Scotland Super League Premier Division | Free |
| Andrew McNeil | Guangzhou R&F | Chinese Super League | Free |
| Ruaridh Langan | Neilston Juniors | West of Scotland League Central District First Division | Loan |
| Gavin Gunning | Grimsby Town | EFL League Two | Free |
| Thomas Orr | BSC Glasgow | Scottish Lowland Football League | Loan |
| Thomas Orr | Queen's Park | Scottish League One | Free |
| Alex McWaters | Annan Athletic | Scottish League Two | Free |
| John Mitchell | Stranraer | Scottish League One | Free |
| Jon Scullion | | | Free |
| Kudus Oyenuga | Chelmsford City | National League South | Free |
| Conor Pepper | | | Free |
| Jamie McDonagh | Sligo Rovers | League of Ireland Premier Division | Free |

## Fixtures and results

Win  Draw  Loss  Upcoming fixture

### Development squad
#### Friendlies
#### Scottish Youth Cup
## League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
| 2 | Falkirk | 36 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 58 | 40 | +18 | 60 | Qualification for the Premiership play-off semi-finals |
| 3 | Dundee United | 36 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 50 | 42 | +8 | 57 | Qualification for the Premiership play-off quarter-finals |
| 4 | Greenock Morton | 36 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 44 | 41 | +3 | 52 | Qualification for the Premiership play-off quarter-finals |
| 5 | Dunfermline Athletic | 36 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 46 | 43 | +3 | 48 | |
| 6 | Queen of the South | 36 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 46 | 52 | −6 | 43 | |

## Player statistics

    As of 13 May 2017

### All competitions

| Position | Player | Starts | Subs | Unused subs | Goals | Red cards | Yellow cards |
| FW | Ben Armour | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FW | Luke Donnelly (on loan from Celtic) | 2 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | Michael Doyle | 38 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| MF | Ross Forbes | 45 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 8 |
| GK | Derek Gaston | 35 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | Gavin Gunning | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| GK | Bryn Halliwell (on loan from Gartcairn Juniors) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | Lee Kilday | 25 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| DF | Ricki Lamie | 33 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| MF | Ruaridh Langan | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | Jamie Lindsay (on loan from Celtic) | 39 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| MF | Caolan McAleer | 3 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF / FW | Jamie McDonagh | 26 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| GK | Jamie McGowan | 1 | 1 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| GK | Andrew McNeil | 12 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | John Mitchell | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | Andy Murdoch | 31 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| FW | Aidan Nesbitt (on loan from Celtic) | 28 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| DF / MF | Thomas O'Ware | 48 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 4 |
| FW | Gary Oliver | 40 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 3 |
| FW | Thomas Orr | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FW | Kudus Oyenuga | 11 | 18 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| FW | Jai Quitongo | 20 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 5 |
| DF / MF | Mark Russell | 36 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| FW | Jon Scullion | 2 | 11 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FW | Lawrence Shankland (on loan from Aberdeen) | 14 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| MF | Dylan Stevenson | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| DF | Lewis Strapp | 5 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | John Tennent | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | Michael Tidser | 25 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| FW | Scott Tiffoney | 5 | 12 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1 |

### Development squad goalscorers

Including goals from the Development League West (runners-up) and SFA Youth Cup
* Jon Scullion - 12
* Thomas Orr - 8
* Jack Purdue - 7
* Scott Tiffoney - 6
* Alex McWaters - 5
* Ruaridh Langan - 4
* Kudus Oyenuga, Lewis Strapp & Scott Miller - 3
* Ben Armour, Jamie McDonagh, Caolan McAleer & John Tennent - 2
* Michael Tidser, Mitchell Duffy, John Mitchell, Blair Docherty, Ben Eardley & Conor Pepper - 1

### Awards

    Last updated 16 November 2016
| Name | Award | Month |
| Thomas O'Ware | Championship Player of the Month | November 2016 |
| Jim Duffy | Championship Manager of the Month | November 2016 |
| Ross Forbes | Championship Player of the Month | January 2017 |
| Ross Forbes | Championship Player of the Year nominee | April 2017 |
| Jim Duffy | SPFL Manager of the Year nominee | May 2017 |
| Ross Forbes | PFA Scotland Championship Team of the Year | May 2017 |
| Thomas O'Ware | PFA Scotland Championship Team of the Year | May 2017 |
| Jim Duffy | Ladbrokes Championship Manager of the Season | May 2017 |