Today we hear from Evan McFarlane, who tells us all about his love for Greenock Morton.
How would you assess your club’s 22/23 season so far?
Earlier this year, if you told people the leading two teams in the Championship heading into the World Cup would be Ayr United and Greenock Morton, they’d have thought you were mad.
Since October’s bruising 5-1 loss away at Partick Thistle though, Morton have been magnificent.
A squad that not too long ago looked ill-equipped for the Championship is now firmly in the hunt for promotion, keeping opponents out with the meanest defence in the division. Robbie Muirhead is enjoying the best scoring spell of his entire career too - his goals and unpredictability have been an absolute nuisance for opponents.
There were never any doubts about the work rate of the squad, but concerns over a lack of quality were certainly there. Shrewd late window additions in Robbie Crawford, Liam Grimshaw and Efe Ambrose have helped elevate the team - giving much needed experience to what is still a relatively young crop of players.
Whether Morton have the depth to sustain their form into the new year remains to be seen. I think we do still require a couple of forwards to take some of the pressure off Muirhead, but we’re definitely capable of a serious crack at the playoffs.
Tying down the manager and brightest prospect Alex King to new deals recently has been a fantastic start to business, and hopefully a sign of things to come.
Main Man: Favourite current player and why?
Efe Ambrose
Anyone that caught Efe’s post-match interview after his Morton debut on BBC Scotland will have warmed to him, if they hadn’t already. He still absolutely loves playing football and from the moment he stepped onto the pitch, the Morton support loved him back.
Cappielow is Scotland’s own Land of Misfit Toys. Guys that have been written off by other clubs always seem to find a home in Greenock. It doesn’t always work out, but when you can restore guys like Ambrose to something close to the peak of their powers, it’s often worth taking the gamble.
Dunfermline fans will disagree, but Efe’s still a brilliant player for this level. There’s a reason he once marked Messi at a World Cup and was rushed back for a Last 16 Champions League tie with Juventus. He doesn’t quite have the pace he used to, but when he’s happy (which is pretty much all the time) and working with a coach that values him as Imrie clearly does, he’s some asset to have.
What is your earliest memory supporting your club?
It’s actually a really pleasant one - winning the Third Division title back in 2003. A crowd of 8,500 at Cappielow watching us begin our ascent back up the leagues. I would quickly come to realise this was a bit of a novelty supporting Morton.
Explain the nickname
The Ton – Not much to it!
Almost famous – What is your club best known for?
It really does depend on the age of the person you ask. Those of a certain vintage have fond memories/nightmares of the days of Andy Ritchie and Benny Rooney. Anyone under about 40 though and it’s a different story.
Morton have been a bit of a meme club for the past 25 years, their many trials and tribulations well documented by a certain someone on Twitter, and a now histrionic Pie & Bovril “Great Feeling at Cappielow” thread.
Those days look to be behind them though, for now.
Greatest Gaffer – Your favourite/most loved boss watching your team
Dougie Imrie is certainly starting to put himself in contention, but it’s still Jim Duffy for me.
Duffy created the most enjoyable Morton team I and most others my age had seen. Picking us up from one of our lowest points, winning us a league title, taking us to Hampden and bringing in a group of players still fondly remembered today. It was short-lived, but it was such a fun time to support the club.
He seemed to be more concerned than anything at the 50 Cent fan cam I made for him a couple of years ago, but it was done through nothing but love.
Can you tell us one interesting fact about your club which other fans may not know?
Gordon Ramsay wanted to buy Morton at one point. Imagine being 3-0 down at home to Raith Rovers and he bursts in the dressing room? You’d win it 4-3 or be moving country.
Who would make your ultimate all-time 5-a-side team?
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Erik Sørensen - Long before my time, but it’s not often Morton sign Denmark’s starting goalkeeper. He played in a trial dressed in all black, Morton refused to name him, so he became known as “The Man in Black”.
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Gavin Gunning - It may seem a bit mad to include someone that was barely at Morton for half a season, but such was the impact Gunning had when he turned up. Pivotal in our run to the League Cup semi, a colossal centre back when he’s in the mood, and a world-class wind-up merchant as well. I still miss him.
- Ross Forbes - If he just had pace, Ross Forbes would’ve been nowhere near Morton. A ridiculously talented player, capable of making something from nothing (as he often had to do in our League 1 winning campaign). He’d be the best 5s player on the planet.
- Andy Ritchie - Couldn’t not include him, could I? For as long as I can remember I was regaled with stories about him, and left baffled as of to how he even ended up at Cappileow after watching footage. A magician.
- Peter Weatherson - My first real Morton hero. Well over 400 games for the club, across a multitude of positions. Anyone capable of playing both as a striker and right back is a must-have for any 5s team.
What is your all-time favourite match?
Our 2-1 victory over Dundee United in 2016 to take us to Hampden. There’s obviously title-clinchers and knocking Celtic out of the League Cup and stuff, but they made me more nervous than anything. That night at Cappielow was hug-a-stranger levels of elation. I haven’t left the Cowshed with as big a smile since.
What should visiting fans make sure they see/do when visiting your club/town?
A trip to The Norseman is a must. You will either love it or absolutely hate it. I will guarantee though, you will remember it.
If you’re here on one of Greenock’s 3 sunny days a year, you should take in the ‘Clyde Riviera’ as well. Make a trip up Lyle Hill and you’ll have some of the most amazing scenery this side of the West Coast. You don’t get that in Paisley.
What makes your club special to you?
I think it’s Cappielow. For away fans, it’s obviously not the best of experiences (especially if it’s pouring), but I love our stadium – the Cowshed especially. It hasn’t changed since the day I was first in it, and that’s wonderful. Inevitably, we’ll have to move out one day, but places like Cappielow and Somerset should be preserved as long as possible.
I hope they are anyway, I can’t imagine us playing anywhere else. If we do leave, I’ll be demanding we take the Cowshed (and the big crane) with us.
You can follow Greenock Morton's progress every week in our SPFL Lower League Round Up - watch the latest edition now!
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