# 2014–15 Greenock Morton F.C. season

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 2+1⁄2-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

| Player | Last club | League | Fee |
| Michael Miller | Celtic | Scottish Premiership | Free |
| Lee Kilday | Hamilton Academical | Scottish Premiership | Free |
| Sean Crighton | Elgin City | Scottish League Two | Free |
| Stefan Milojević | Airdrieonians | Scottish League One | Free |
| Conor Pepper | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | Scottish Premiership | Free |
| Stefan McCluskey | Clyde | Scottish League Two | Free |
| Andrew Barrowman | Livingston | Scottish Championship | Free |
| Jordan Allan | Dundee United | Scottish Premiership | Free |
| Ricki Lamie | Airdrieonians | Scottish League One | Free |
| Jon Scullion | St Mirren | Scottish Premiership | Free |
| Jamie McCluskey | Forfar Athletic | Scottish League One | Free |
| Declan McManus | Aberdeen | Scottish Premiership | Loan |
| Robbie Crawford | Rangers | Scottish Championship | Loan |
| Grant Adam | Dundee | Scottish Premiership | Free |
| Ross Caldwell | St Mirren | Scottish Premiership | Free |
| Peter MacDonald | Dundee | Scottish Premiership | Free |
| Ross Forbes | Dunfermline Athletic | Scottish League One | Swap with Andrew Barrowman |
| Michael Tidser | Rotherham United | Football League Championship | Free |
| Declan McManus | Aberdeen | Scottish Premiership | Loan |

### Out

| Player | To | League | Fee |
| Marc Fitzpatrick | Airdrieonians | Scottish League One | Free |
| Nicky Jamieson | Largs Thistle | Super League First Division | Free |
| David Robertson | Livingston | Scottish Championship | Free |
| Dougie Imrie | Hamilton Academical | Scottish Premiership | Free |
| Darren Cole | Livingston | Scottish Championship | Free |
| Jamie McCormack | Brechin City | Scottish League One | Free |
| Garry O'Connor | Selkirk | Lowland Football League | Free |
| Rowan Vine | Welling United | Conference Premier | Free |
| Tony Wallace | BSC Glasgow | Lowland Football League | Free |
| David O'Brien | | | Retired |
| Ben Sampayo | Grays Athletic | Isthmian League Premier Division | Free |
| David Verlaque | Clydebank | West of Scotland Super League Premier Division | Free |
| Scott Taggart | Dumbarton | Scottish Championship | Free |
| Archie Campbell | Dumbarton | Scottish Championship | Free |
| Adam Asghar | Alloa Athletic | Scottish Championship | Free |
| Fouad Bachirou | Östersunds FK | Superettan | Undisclosed |
| Aidan Fulton | | | Free |
| Aidan Ferris | BSC Glasgow | Lowland Football League | Loan |
| Jack Smith | Arbroath | Scottish League Two | Free |
| Lewis McIntyre | | | Free |
| David McNeil | Greenock Juniors | West of Scotland Super League First Division | Free |
| Reece Hands | | | Free |
| Andrew Barrowman | Dunfermline Athletic | Scottish League One | Swap with Ross Forbes |
| Steven Lamont | Stenhousemuir | Scottish League One | Free |
| Jordan Allan | Montrose | Scottish League Two | Free |
| Jordan Cairnie | Ardrossan Winton Rovers | Scottish Junior Football Ayrshire Division One | Loan |
| Dylan Stevenson | Dalry Thistle | Scottish Junior Football Ayrshire Division One | Loan |
| John Tennent | Dalry Thistle | Scottish Junior Football Ayrshire Division One | Loan |
| Craig Knight | Port Glasgow | Scottish Junior Football Central Division Two | Loan |
| Luke Irvine | Port Glasgow | Scottish Junior Football Central Division Two | Loan |

## Squad (that played for first team)

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | GK | SCO | Grant Adam |
| — | GK | FRA | Nicolas Caraux |
| — | GK | SCO | Derek Gaston (vice-captain) |
| — | GK | SCO | Jamie McGowan |
| — | DF | SCO | Jordan Allan (released mid-season) |
| — | DF | SCO | Sean Crighton |
| — | DF | SCO | Lee Kilday |
| — | DF | SCO | Ricki Lamie |
| — | DF | SCO | Michael Miller |
| — | DF | SCO | Stefan Milojević |
| — | DF | SCO | Thomas O'Ware |
| — | DF | SCO | Mark Russell |
| — | MF | SCO | Robbie Crawford (on loan from Rangers) |
| — | MF | EIR | Ross Forbes |
| — | MF | ENG | Reece Hands (released mid-season) |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | MF | SCO | Jamie McCluskey |
| — | MF | SCO | Joe McKee |
| — | MF | SCO | Cameron O'Neil |
| — | MF | EIR | Conor Pepper |
| — | MF | SCO | Dylan Stevenson |
| — | FW | SCO | Andrew Barrowman (released mid-season) |
| — | FW | SCO | Jordan Cairnie |
| — | FW | SCO | Ross Caldwell |
| — | FW | SCO | Aidan Ferris |
| — | FW | SCO | Peter MacDonald (Captain) |
| — | FW | SCO | Stefan McCluskey |
| — | FW | SCO | Declan McManus (on loan from Aberdeen) |
| — | FW | SCO | David McNeil (released mid-season) |
| — | FW | SCO | Thomas Orr |
| — | FW | SCO | Jon Scullion |

## 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 or relegation |
| 1 | Greenock Morton (C, P) | 36 | 22 | 3 | 11 | 65 | 40 | +25 | 69 | Promotion to the Championship |
| 2 | Stranraer | 36 | 20 | 7 | 9 | 59 | 38 | +21 | 67 | Qualification for the Championship play-offs |
| 3 | Forfar Athletic | 36 | 20 | 6 | 10 | 59 | 43 | +16 | 66 | Qualification for the Championship play-offs |
| 4 | Brechin City | 36 | 15 | 14 | 7 | 58 | 46 | +12 | 59 | Qualification for the Championship play-offs |
| 5 | Airdrieonians | 36 | 16 | 10 | 10 | 53 | 39 | +14 | 58 | |

## Player statistics

    As of 4 May 2015

### 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 | 0 |
| MF | Jordan Allan | 1 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| FW | Andrew Barrowman | 19 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 |
| FW | Jordan Cairnie | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FW | Ross Caldwell | 10 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| GK | Nicolas Caraux | 5 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | Robbie Crawford (on loan from Rangers) | 10 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| DF | Sean Crighton | 36 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| FW | Aidan Ferris | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | Ross Forbes | 15 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| GK | Derek Gaston | 34 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | Reece Hands | 5 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | Luke Irvine | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | Lee Kilday | 43 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| DF | Craig Knight | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | Ricki Lamie | 33 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| FW | Peter MacDonald | 10 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| MF | Jamie McCluskey | 25 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 4 |
| FW | Stefan McCluskey | 21 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 6 |
| GK | Jamie McGowan | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | Joe McKee | 26 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| FW | Declan McManus (on loan from Aberdeen) | 34 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 8 |
| FW | David McNeil | 2 | 7 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| DF / MF | Michael Miller | 23 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| DF | Stefan Milojević | 27 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| MF | Cameron O'Neil | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| FW | Thomas Orr | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF / MF / FW | Thomas O'Ware | 38 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| MF | Conor Pepper | 27 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| DF / MF | Mark Russell | 30 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| MF / FW | Jon Scullion | 4 | 7 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| MF | Dylan Stevenson | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | 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
| Name | Award | Month |
| Jim Duffy | League One Manager of the Month | November 2014 |
| Declan McManus | PFA Scotland League One Team of the Year | May 2015 |
| Mark Russell | PFA Scotland League One Team of the Year | May 2015 |
| Declan McManus | SPFA League One Player of the Year | May 2015 |