the history of morton f.c. (1874-2011)

7/28/2019 The History of Morton F.C. (1874-2011)

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FROM A MUDDY FIELD TOCAPPIELOW.

7KHUVWJURXSRI\RXQJPHQZKRVWDUWHGplaying football under the name Morton were

from Morton Terrace and the games were

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7KHHOGZDVORFDWHGRQWKHFXUUHQWDWSLHFH

of land on which Octavia Cottages are now

built. It became apparant that the small muddy

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games and the team moved to Garvel Park

in 1875. This was situated on the East End of

the current James Watt Dock. The team played

here for the next four years.

It was when plans to build the current James

Watt Dock were announced that Morton began

their search for a new ground, as the park

would be lost in the new development. In 1879

Morton made the move to Cappielow where

they have remained to this day, 131 years later.

There have been a few exceptions since 1879

such as in 1882 when the club played for

one season at Ladyburn, before returning toCappielow the year after.

Laying the foundation stone of James Watt Dock.


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Cappielow riot of 1898

MINUTES FROM NATIONAL ARCHIVES

Baillie McLaughlan on the Cappielow

Riot.

(To the Editor of the Port-Glasgow Express

and Observer.)SIR, - No one within the four corners of this

county more deeply regrets the occurrence

at Cappielow last Saturday than I do. A riot

between sections drawn from two different

communities is under all circumstances a most

deplorable public calamity. Now, sir, in riots there

are frequently two parties involved, and from thevery close inquiries I have made I am more than

VDWLVHG WKDW WKHUH ZHUH WZR SDUWLHV LQYROYHG

in the scenes at Cappielow last Saturday, and

it follows that one or the other or possibly both

are blameworthy. Observe that I do not here

even suggest which is to blame; nor do I wish

to discuss the merits of the case, but merely

to protest that the 34 prisoners now awaiting

trial in Greenock prison are my fellow citizens

and that the possibility of their being fairly tried

has been seriously impaired by the illegal andcowardly conduct of the Greenock and Glasgow

newspapers in circulating fabricated reports

which are clearly prejudicial to the untried

prisoners.

,WLVQRZD[WXUHWKDWWKHVHSULVRQHUVZLOOEHWULHG

by a Jury at Greenock, and here let me remind

you that a Greenock jury is largely drawn from

Greenock shopkeepers who generally swallow

all the Greenock Telegraph or the Glasgow

Mail like to serve up to them. Just imagine

the Greenock jurymen who will be called to

determine the innocence or guilt of our own

townsmen, impregnated with the disgraceful

spleen which appeared in the editorial columns

of the Telegraph last Monday, and note that this

article was penned with a full knowledge that alarge number of men from the Port were then in

Greenock prison charged with the grave crime

of rioting at Cappielow. The article referred to

is that under the heading Cads at Cappielow.

These cads, says the concluding sentences of

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of numbers, the devilry takes more serious

shape and the sport becomes bloody enough for

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The cowardly cads who from the obscurity of the

crowd threw bricks, bottles, and other missilesare deserving of the strongest possible censure.

It is too much to hope that all of them will be

brought to justice, but such discreditable conduct

ought to be sternly put down. Hard things are

sometimes said of the police, but their behavior

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on Saturday was worthy of all praise. The Port

Glasgow crowd has an evil reputation, but their

savagery of Saturday has not hitherto been

approached. It will be for the representatives of

law and order to take such steps as will render

repetition of it impossible.

I must forbear quoting further from this and otherarticles on the same subject which appeared in

the Telegraph during the week, all more or less

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our people, and thereby lead to a miscarriage

of justice. It is the inalienable right, even of Port

Glasgow cads, to get a fair trial, and if the

people will see they get it, notwithstanding the

case now pending. The press men have told us

a great deal about The evil reputation of the

Port Glasgow crowd, but not a single word

about the evil reputation of the Greenock police.Now, sir, perhaps there are few laymen in the

West of Scotland better acquainted with the

inner workings of our police system than I am,

and I profess to know something of the Greenock

force from head to heel, and I most emphatically

say that if I, as a Magistrate, were asked to

select a body of Scottish police to preserve the

public peace at a football or other gathering, the

Greenock police are about the very last crowd

I should have anything to do with. As a matter

of fact, Greenock is the best police riddenburgh in Great Britain, and none know this so

well as the Greenock people and the Greenock

press, but when they are cracking the skulls of

a Port Glasgow crowd they are worthy, as the

Telegraph says, of the very highest praise.

Well, now, what is to be done to secure a fair

trial for our citizens now in Greenock Prison?

And further, what is to be done in order to securea public investigation into the whole conduct of

the Greenock Police before the riot, during the

riot, and since the riot? Most of those in prison

are poor working men, without either knowledge

or means to defend themselves. Are these men

to be left to the tender mercies of the Greenock

Police and a Greenock prosecution? Are only

one or two of the men to be defended, and all

the other to be thrown to the dogs? Are the

Greenock Police to escape scott free without a

public inquiry by the Lord Advocate?If not, then the sooner some united action is

taken the better, and for that purpose I am

perfectly willing to co-operate, either in a public

or a private way, to make such arrangements as

will secure fair play.

I would suggest that a public meeting be held in

the Town Hall early next week, that funds be at

once obtained in order to secure the very best

legal ability available. If this be done, I have no

fear of the result.

Yours, etc.,James McLaughlan.


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Shown on the left page is an advert for

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UHQHU\ZDVRQHRILQWKHDUHD7RS,PDJH

features the old Dalrymple Street in Greenock,

and the bottom two images show the old

Highlanders School & Broad Close, which is

now demolished. These are good examples of

how people lived & how they attended school

at this time.

Housing, fashion and advertising were all very

different at this time. Often there would be more

than 10 family members sharing one room in

a small, cramped apartment. There were open

sewers in the roads, and conditions were quite

rough. Fashion was different for the rich & the

poor, with big dresses for the rich women, and

hand me downs for the normal, working class

women. Advertising was around, although not

as consuming as it is nowadays. Food was

advertised, as were companies and shops.

Housing, Fashion & Advertising.

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SATURDAYS INTERNATIONAL

SCOTLAND, 5 ; WALES, 1

INTERESTING CONTEST ENORMOUS CROWDS.

The big football event in Greenock on Saturday

passed off most successfully. As regards to the

play, the game was throughout full of interest, and

although on the losing side, the Welshmen gave a

display which had for a good part of the afternoon an

unsettling effect on the Scottish defence, and which

was no less admired by the 12,000 spectators than the

IUHHDQGFRQGHQWJRLQJRIWKHKRPHIRUZDUGVDQGthe smart tackling of the three halves behind them.

The unprecedented interest in the match

at Cappielow was shown by the early movement

of footballers in the direction of the ground.

Considerably before two oclock the thoroughfares

in the East End of the town began to assume a busy

aspect, and even before the time announced for the

opening of the gates large numbers had presented

themselves for admission. In the all-important matter

of weather the event had not been so well favoured

as might have been wished. Several heavy showersof rain fell in the forenoon with, however, intervals

of bright sunshine, and these conditions practically

continued up till the beginning of the match. A great

deal of attention had been paid during the week to

the pitch, and it was no fault of the Morton directors

and their grounds men that the turf had a somewhat

sodden look, particularly in front of each goal.

To meet the exceptional demands on the

accommodation of Cappielow extra seating was

provided in the vicinity of the pavilion and on the

track immediately opposite the grand stand. A slighteffort was also made at decoration, both the pavilion

and the stand being set off with a display of bunting.

For the entertainment of the crowd, the band of 1st

Renfrew and Dumbarton Volunteer Artillery went

through a programme of lively musical selections -

reminiscent of Glasgow Exhibition - which pleasantly

whiled away the interval of waiting, and this was

supplemented by a young vocalist and dancer who

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in the city. As the time wore on the crowd rapidly

increased in dimensions. The electric cars and specialtrains from Gourock and Greenock Central as well

as from Glasgow, were largely patronised, with the

result that a constant stream of spectators poured into

the enclosure, which at the time of the kick-off was

DOOEXWOOHGWRLWVXWPRVWFDSDFLW\

THE GAME

At 3:30 prompt the Scottish team led by Campbell,

emerged from the pavilion, the band tunefully

reminding them that Nows the day and nows thehour. They looked a promising lot as they ranged

themselves in front of the camera in their natty

light blue. To the strains of Men of Harlech the

Welshmen then faced Mr Walker, the photographer,

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greeted them were even more hearty than for the

Scots. Their colours were white and green.

Scotland won the toss, and put their back to

the strong breeze. Almost ten minutes late Morgan

Owen kicked off for Wales. Scotland got possession,

and seemed about to settle into a run, but Blewcleared nicely, sending the ball well up. His men got

well away, and Parry sent in a nice shot, which went

past. A spell of pressure by the home men followed,

in which Campbell and McMahon were prominent.

From a break away Hamilton sent in a deadly shot,

which Roose had to punt over the bar. The corner

kick was fruitless. McMahon was fouled for a

back charge, and the free kick let Wales into Scots

territory. Meredith sent in a stinger, and Rennie had

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in on him and embarrassing him greatly. He retrievedhimself well, however, and threw far out, and relief

was given, when Wales put the ball behind.

The game was now promising an even tackle.

Scotland, however, kept the right side of the mid

line. A pretty bit of play by Walker and Campbell

ended in the player sending a shot across the goal

mouth which looked odds on it screwing into the net.

It just went outside by a few inches. Transferring

play to the other end, Wales looked threatening, W. J.

Jones bringing McMahon to his knees to stop a ball,

which, however, was not quite well aimed. A foul forScotland and a big kick by Drummond took the play

into the Welsh quarter. A nice piece of combination

between McMahon and Smith looked promising, but

THE GREENOCK TELEGRAPH AND CLYDE SHIPPING GAZETTE, MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1902


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SCOTLAND.

WALES.

H.G Rennie

(Hibernian)

L.R. Roose

(Stoke)

H. Allan

(Hearts)

J. Drummond

(Rangers)

H. Wilson

(Third Lanark)

Buik

(Hearts)

J. Robertson

(Rangers)

J. Campbell

(Celtic)

R. Morris

(Druids)

A. McMahon

(Celtic)

*ULIWKV

(Wrexham)

R. Walker

(Hearts)

Owens

(Wrexham)

R. C. Hamilton

(Rangers)

H. Morgan-Owens

(Oxford University)

A. Smith

(Rangers)

A. Meredith

(Manchester City)

J. L. Jones

(Tottenham Hotspur)

W. J. Jones

(West Ham)

M. Parry

(Liverpool)

Morris

(Chirk)

H. Blew

(Wrexham)

:DOHV UHOLHYHG *ULIWKVZDV RQ WKH UXQ DQG KDG

cleverly eluded Drummond, when the latter brought

him to the ground. The resulting free kick was all in

favour of Wales, and Morris, the Druid, gave Rennie

a hot one to hold. The old Mortonian was heartily

applauded for what was undoubtedly a very smart

save.

A long spell of very equal play followed,

a noticeable feature of which was the weaknessRI'UXPPRQGXQGHUSUHVVXUH)URPD VFXIHQHDU

Roose, McMahon headed in, but the custodian held

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bodily over the goal line. McMahon was the hero in

the next noticeable passage. He was on the point of

shooting just outside the penalty line when he was

glaringly tripped up. From the free kick Robertson got

possession, and from twenty yards out he SCORED

WITH A FINE LOW SHOT, Roose being taken

rather unawares. This was within ten minutes of half

time, and the subsequent play seemed as if it wouldfurnish a second point for the Thistle Representatives.

This was almost brought about by Campbell, a shoot

from whom was stopped feebly on the goal line.

Before Roose could recover Hamilton had the ball

into the net, but the whistle had previously blown for

an infringement. Half - time was shortly afterwards

sounded, the advantage being in favour of Scotland

by one to nothing.

A sensational bit of play marked the opening of

the second half. Scotland early pressed, the ball being

driven hard against the crossbar. From the rebound

Buick sent in a high drive, which Roose made to puntout, but he missed the ball, and so gifted Scotland her

second goal. In this half Campbell went into centre,

Walker being brought to inside right, while Hamilton

essayed the outside position. The remodelling of

the line was attended with complete success. Inside

fourteen minutes play other two goals were scored,

one by Smith and the other by Walker. Wales did

not seem in any way disheartened by these reverses,

and keeping well into home quarters their pluck was

at length rewarded by Morgan-Owens, The Oxford

Varsity forward, completely outwitting Rennie witha shot taken from about the penalty line. Play was a

OLWWOHH[FLWLQJDIWHUWKLVDQGDIWKJRDOE\&DPSEHOO

completed the scoring.

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WOMEN

DEMANDTHE VOTE!

The position of women in society took a great

step forward with the passing of the Married

Womens Property Acts of 1870 and 1882. Beforethe Acts became law, when a woman married she

surrendered everything she owned, property and

money, to her husband. Legally her possessions

were now his, and he could, (and frequently

did), squander the wifes estate while she had

no means of preventing him, nor of claiming any

form of compensation. This was a situation which

caused much misery to women - especially those

from prosperous families. With the passing of the

Womens Property Legislation all that changed.

From then on the female partners private estate

remained her own and was no longer forfeited atmarriage.

However, women did not have the vote.

They were allowed a say in local and Council

elections, but the national vote was denied them.

With no vote they had no voice in the running of

their country, and the vote was seen as the key tosocial and economic improvement. Soon after the

granting of the franchise to male householders, the

British women began to press for an equal footing.

In Greenock, as elsewhere, the female

citizens were enthusiastic about the struggle and

organised petitions, delegations, meetings, rallies

etc,. to further the cause. Female Suffrage was one

of the great issues of the day.

The movement certainly made its presence

felt in Inverclyde back in 1913 when suffragettes

burned down Kelly House, a 30,000 mansion in

Wemyss Bay. All over the country women wereburning buildings in hope that insurance companies

would put pressure on the government to give in to

their demands.


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21

Above - Disabled

Heroes, cartoon by Tom

Ross. 1914 -1918

Left- Suffragettes

gathering signatures.

Opposite Page -

1. A Suffragette

campaign illustration

2. A Suffragette giving a

speech in public.


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FOOTBALL

MORTON V PORT GLASGOW ATHLETIC

FIRST FOOT IN AT CAPPIELOW

THE GREENOCK TELEGRAPH AND CLYDE SHIPPING GAZETTE, MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1911

The local football rivals brought in the New


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The announcement of The First World War, the role women

SOD\HGLQLWKRZWKHPHQIURP,QYHUFO\GHZHUHUHFUXLWHG

and what was happening with football.

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WAR STIR IN GREENOCK

SUNDAY EXCITEMENT

DEPARTURE OF NAVAL RESERVISTS

THE GREENOCK TELEGRAPH AND CLYDE SHIPPING GAZETTE, MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 1914

The serious developments of events in the Near

East crisis occasioned great excitement in Greenock

yesterday. The intimation was made at midday

through the Telegraph that Germany had declared

war against France, and the crowded condition of the

streets during the afternoon and evening left no doubt

as to the interest the critical situation had created

among the populace.From early in the day thousands were attracted to

the main thoroughfare, and the special gratis issue of

the Telegraph in the afternoon was eagerly sought,

while the later edition was also in great demand.

The quick development in the crisis formed the sole

topic of conversation, and groups gathered at every

corner and discussed the situation with feverish

excitement.

BOER WAR RECALLED

The scenes recalled the stirring times witnessed duringthe Boer War. Animation was evident everywhere,

but there was a complete absence of demonstration.

Excitement increased when it became known that the

Royal Naval Reserve had been called up.

The order for mobilisation of the Greenock

contingent was received by Mr George M. M. Rae,

VXSHULQWHQGHQW0HUFDQWLOH0DULQH2IFHGXULQJWKH

forenoon. These are men employed on steamers and

local towing boats, who undergo active training for

twenty-eight days every two years. Numbering about

100, they reported themselves at the Mercantile0DULQH2IFH&XVWRPKRXVH%XLOGLQJVDQGOHIWWKH

Central Station and 8:30 en route for Portsmouth.

It had been rumoured during the day that the

Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve were to leave from

Customhouse Quay at 7:30, and a crowd, numbering

several thousands, gathered from six oclock onwards

in Brymner Street in anticipation of their departure.

The rumour proved to be incorrect, but the interest of

the crowd was taken up by the arrival of the Royal

Naval Reserve at the Customhouse Buildings.

The men, the majority of whom were in civilian dress,left in small groups, and their departure to the station

was witnessed by large crowds. There was an entire

absence of demonstration. A large force of police

guarded the station entrance, and only the relatives of

the Reservists were allowed within the station.

AFFECTING SCENES.

Several compartments were reserved for the men.

A large number of those leaving were married, and

when the train made its appearance about 8:30 therewas affecting scenes between husband, wives and

children. As the train moved off a hearty cheer was

raised by the men and responded to by their friends.

A number of the Reservists who were unable to report

themselves yesterday left from Central Station this

morning.

Orders from the mobilisation of the Greenock

detachment of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

were also issued yesterday.

About 80 men have been called out. These, it

is understood, comprise the Reserves who haveSUHYLRXVO\ XQGHUWDNHQ VHUYLFH DRDW GXULQJ WKH

training season.

The appearance of the men on the street carrying

their kit bags aroused much curiosity. The Volunteers

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awaiting further orders.

As will be seen from advertising columns, members

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and 2 are recommended to enrol at once with Colonel

Lamont.

The possibility of the beacon and lighthouse lightson the river and Firth of Clyde being extinguished

as a precautionary measure has been discussed, but

it is learned from the Clyde Lighthouse Trust at Port

Glasgow that such action was not contemplated at

present, though should Britain become involved it

was considered possible that such action might be

taken.


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TELEGRAPH WAR SPECIALS

HOW GREENOCK GOT

THE NEWS

On account of the criticalcondition of the nations

affairs, we yesterday issued

in the morning posters in the

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intimation in Greenock of

*HUPDQ\V GHFLVLRQ WR JKW

Russia. Later we published

a special gratis edition of the

Telegraph containing the

latest telegrams bearing on

the crisis, which was eagerly

sought after, and read with

interest. In the evening we

issued another special edition,

giving the latest news received

from London and the Continent,

and the eagerness with which

our entire issue was brought

XS UHHFWHG WKH JUHDW LQWHUHVW

that was taken in the matter

by the public of Greenock.

THE WAR.

REPORTED BRITISH NOTE TO

GERMANY,

LUXEMBURG AND BELGIUM

Todays Standard has the

following : The English

Ambassador in Berlin yesterday

handed to the Imperial German

Chancellors Note from the

English Government requesting

an explanation of the violation

by Germany of the neutrality

of Luxembourg, which is

guaranteed by a treaty to which

Great Britain was a party.

Todays Daily Mail says: We understand that an

intimation has been conveyed

to the German soldier that

if he is ordered to set foot

on Belgian soil the British

Navy will take instant

action against Germany.

IF BRITAIN GOES TO WAR

Will Troops Go To

Continent.

Whatever the outcome of the

present tension, I believe,

says the parliamentary

representative of the Daily

Chronicle, that the Cabinet

KDYHGHQLWHO\GHFLGHGQRWWR

send an expeditionary force

abroad. The jingoes who want

us to send a British army to

JKWRQWKH&RQWLQHQWZLOOEH

disappointed, but every sane

patriot will rejoice at this

decision. If the cabinet go to

war, it will be a reasonable

assumption that they could

QRW QG DQ\ UHDVRQDEOH ZD\of avoiding it. Mr Asquith,

Sir Edward Grey, and their

colleagues have laboured

without ceasing for peace.

They are not the men to

plunge lightly into war. For all

that, some of their staunchest

supporters will not forgive

them for participation in

war which we have no direct

concern.It is understood, says the

Daily Telegraph, that the

Cabinet has reserved the right

for troops to be employed on

the Continent if circumstances

render such a step desirable.

25


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IMPORTANT BOARD OF TRADE ANNOUNCEMENT

THE NEEDS OF NATIONAL INDUSTRY.

SERVICES REQUESTED TO RELEASE MEN.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD REGISTER.

The president of the board of trade wishes to call

attention to the fact that in the present emergency,

LIWKHIXOOJKWLQJSRZHURIWKHQDWLRQLVWREHSXW

IRUWKRQ WKHHOGRIEDWWOHWKHIXOOZRUNLQJSRZHU

of the nation must be made available to carry on its

essential trades at home. Already in certain important

occupations, there are not enough men and women

to do the work. This shortage will certainly spread

to other occupations as more and more men join the

JKWLQJIRUFHVIn order to meet both the present and the future needs

of national industry during the war, the Government

wish to obtain particulars of the women available,

with or without the previous training, for paid

employment. Accordingly, they invite all women

who are prepared, if needed, to take paid employment

of any kind industrial, agricultural, clerical to

enter themselves upon the Register of Women for

War Service which is being prepared by the Board of

Trade Labour Exchanges.

Any woman living in a town where there is a LabourExchange can register by going there in person. If

she is not near a Labour Exchange, she can get a

form of registration from the local agency of the

Unemployment Fund. Forms will also be sent out

through a number of womens societies. The object

RI UHJLVWUDWLRQ LV WRQG RXW ZKDW UHVHUYH IRUFHRI

womens labour, trained or untrained, can be made

available if required. As from time to time actual

openings for employment present themselves, notice

will be given through the Labour Exchanges, with

full details as to the nature of work, conditions andpay, and, so far as any special training is necessary,

arrangements will if possiblebe made for the purpose.

THE WAR

CONTINUES

GREENOCK RECRUITING

NEW WAR OFFICE ORDERS.

ARMAMENT WORKERS NOW ELIGIBLE

Intimation has been received at the brymner streetUHFUXLWLQJRIFHWKDWUHFUXLWVPD\QRZEHHQOLVWHGIRU

regular reserve battalions in Scotland of not less than

5ft 2in in height. Men of good physique, whose chest

measurement is not less than 34 1/2in (expanded) ,

and 5ft 1in in height, may make special application.

7KHRUGHUDGYLVLQJ5HFUXLWLQJ2IFHUVQRWWRDFFHSW

workmen, engaged in the production of war material

and railway employees has now been withdrawn.

Men previously rejected on account of defective

WHHWKEXWZKRDUHRWKHUZLVHSK\VLFDOO\WPD\QRZ

submit themselves for re-examination, and if, in theRSLQLRQRIWKHPHGLFDORIFHUDQGDGHQWLVWWKH\DUH

WIRU VHUYLFHDQG LIZLOOLQJ WKH\FDQ EHHQOLVWHG

and receive what dental treatment is necessary at the

depot to which they are assigned. Commencing on

0RQGD\UVWDPHGLFDORIFHUDQGDGHQWLVWZLOOEH

LQDWWHQGDQFHDWWKHUHFUXLWLQJRIFHEHWZHHQRQHDQG

two oclock to examine men of this class.

Recruiting has been normal during the week, but

WKHVHRUGHUVRSHQLQJXSDQHZHOGIRUUHFUXLWVDUH

expected to have a stimulating effect. Recruiting is

still closed for artillery and cavalry regiments. Allinfantry regiments are open

Any woman who by working helps to release a man or

WRHTXLSDPDQIRUJKWLQJGRHVQDWLRQVZD\VHUYLFH

Every woman should register who is able and willing

to take employment.

Board of trade,

Queen Anne Chambers, Broadway,Westminster, S.W March 1915

britains call to her women


28/66

SPORT, FOOTBALL

AND THE WARProposed Action By Greenock Clubs

Circulars have been received by local harriers and other athletic

clubs with reference to the movement for the formation of an

Athletes Volunteer Force.

It is pointed out that there are thousands of sportsmen in Great Britain

ZKRDOWKRXJKSK\VLFDOO\WDUHQRWWUDLQHGWRDUPVDQGZKRIHHOthemselves at this stage helpless though anxious to aid in the defence

of their country. It is proposed to form throughout the kingdom,

an organisation of sportsmen who are willing to act in defence of

their King and Country. In a month, or six weeks an elementary

NQRZOHGJHRIGULOODQGULHVKRRWLQJFDQEHREWDLQHG,WLVUHPDUNHG

that in the event of the regular troops and the territorials being hard

pressed the existence of the athletes volunteer force afford an extra

feeling of security to the nation, and be of inestimable value.

In the event of a local unit being formed it is intended to co-operate

with associations which have been formed on similar lines. In

Greenock the proposal has been cordially received. The idea, aKDUULHURIFLDOSRLQWVRXWVHHPVDJRRGRQHVRORQJDVLWGRHVQRW

interfere with men who are eligible for the existing force. There

VKRXOGQRWEHPXFKGLIFXOW\LQVWDUWLQJDFRPSDQ\LQ*UHHQRFN

and steps should be taken without delay to convene a meeting of the

secretaries of the various clubs.

Councillor R. G. Adam writes;

Single men of Greenock, I was sure

you would not disappoint me in myappeal for volunteers. It will be some

satisfaction to you to know that recruits

have come in large numbers since I

asked your help. More are wanted

\HWGRQWKROGEDFN,I\RXDUHWDQG

willing, drill will come easily to you.

Think what Belgium has done for us,

and your own British troops marching

PLOHV DQG JKWLQJ D WHUULFEDWWOH

for three days without a rest. You can

do the same, I am sure. If you wantproof of what I say, go to Drums park

DQGVHHUHFUXLWV LQKXQGUHGVPDGHW

and useful with one weeks training. It

is a treat to see a man well trained.

THE KINGS ATTITUDE

In a letter to Mr.F.N Charrington, the well known London temperance worker, the KingsPrivate Secetary writes:-

The question raised in your telegram to the king has received the careful consideration

and respect due to anyone speaking with your great experience and authority. I gather

WKDWWKH)RRWEDOO$VVRFLDWLRQDUHLQGLUHFWFRPPXQLFDWLRQZLWKWKH:DU2IFHDQGWKDWD

general desire has been expressed by the association to assist in obtaining recruits for the

$UP\,XQGHUVWDQGLQJLYLQJWKDWWKHUHPD\EHGLIFXOWLHVLQJLYLQJXSDOOWKHPDWFKHV

of professional clubs in view of contracts which have been made with players. But the

doings of the Association will be carefully followed, having regard to the kings position

as its patron.

I remain yours faithfully.

STAMFORDHAM

VOLUNTEER APPEAL

27


29/66

THE 1922 SCOTTIS


30/66

H CUP TRIUMPH

Morton beat Vale of Leithen, Clydebank, Clyde, Motherwell and Aberdeen on theiramazing journey to the 1922 Scottish Cup Final at Hampden, where they were set

to take on Glasgow Rangers.

0RUDOHDQGFRQGHQFHZHUHUXQQLQJORZZLWKLQWKH0RUWRQVLGHGXULQJWKHUXQXSWR

the game, even so much that they didnt have any plans to return to Greenock after

the game. Instead, convinced that they would be defeated, Morton planned to head

straight to England to play a friendly match against Hartlepools United.

7KHWHDPDQGVXSSRUWHUVUHFHLYHGDIXUWKHUEORZWRWKHLUFRQGHQFHZKHQLWZDV

announced that their top goal scorer, George French, would not be playing. French

had sustained an injury in a previous game & had not yet recovered! The team on

the day consisted of Edwards, McIntyre and Brown; Gourlay, Wright and McGregor(Captain); McNab and Mckay, Buchanan, A.Brown and McMinn.

75,000 fans gathered at Hampden for the big game, many of them supporters from

Greenock who had travelled there on the many trains and vehicles organised for the

big event.

Despite Mortons worries, Rangers were not playing at their best in the early stages.

6RRQDIWHUWKHUVWWHQPLQXWHVKDGSDVVHG0RUWRQZHUHJUDQWHGDGLUHFWIUHHNLFN

after the Rangers goalkeeper carried the ball over the 18 yard line. Mortons luck

took a turn for the better as Jimmy Gourlay came to take the free kick, when he

calmly took his shot - hitting the ball high into the top corner of the oppositions net.

7KLVVSXUUHG0RUWRQRQWRSOD\DJUHDWGHIHQVLYHJDPHWRQLVKXSRQHQLOPDNLQJ

Morton the Winners of the 1922 Scottish Cup Final.

29


31/66

1922 - La Gazette

This is an image showing a more upper class

style of fashion seen in 1922. You can imagine

that this is somewhat different from what theaverage woman in Inverclyde would have been

wearing during the 1920s. This image was found

via LaraCorset.com.


32/66

7KHDQQRXQFHPHQWRI7KH6HFRQG:RUOG:DU5DWLRQ

Books, the Big Depression, and one of Mortons Greatest

Ever Players is introduced.

31


33/66

The great depression

William Gibson was a footballer who

played for Greenock Morton Football

Club during the years before the

Great Depression. He was part of the

Scottish Cup winning team of 1922,

and was in receipt of one of only 13

medals made for the winners of that

year. During the Great Depression

when times were economically and

QDQFLDOO\ GLIFXOW KH ZDV IRUFHG WR

head overseas to the United States,UVWO\DVDQ(QJLQHHUDQGWKHQDJDLQ

in later years as a Football Player,

showing that the people of Inverclyde

ZHUH JRLQJ WKURXJK GLIFXOW WLPHV

during the Depression.

These documents and photographs

were kindly donated to us for use by

William Gibsons son, who is still living

in Inverclyde to this day.

32

- AND WILLIAM GIBSON.

1

2


34/66

1.Medal Awarded to William Gibson for being part

of the Winning 1922 Scottish Cup team.

2. Permit for Gibson to enter the United States in

May of 1931, during the Great Depression.

3. Passport of William Gibson, showing his

profession as Football Player

4. William Gibson with bicycle

5. William Gibson pictured with his family, with him

at the wheel of the vehicle.

3

4

5


35/66

WWII AND

INVERCLYDE

1 2

3 4

One of the most intense raids on Britain was launched

on Clydeside on Tuesday Night. H.E. and incendiaries

dropped on centre of one town over prolonged period.

0XFKGDPDJHGXHWRUHV

Casualties reported heavy but not excessively

so considering the scale of raid. Dwellinghousessuffered severely.

Defence services, aided by personnel of the armed

IRUFHV GLG PDJQLFHQW ZRUN LQ UHVFXLQJ EXULHG

SHRSOHDQGH[WLQJXLVKLQJUHV$OOZRUNHGKHURLFDOO\

even at height of Blitz.

Churches and schools heavily damaged. Biggest R.C

Church burned out. Devastating damage to homes in

Corporation housing schemes.

Many saved by shelters.

Heavy barrage maintained. Flares dropped by

Germans shot out by tracer bullets.

,QRQHFDVHHHLQJSHRSOHPDFKLQHJXQQHGE\1D]L

planes.

High explosives and incendiaries dropped on adjacenttown. Fire watcher and civilian killed. Three taken to

hospital injured. Number homeless.

Relief plans in action as soon as raid over.

Assistance rendered from other places.

Postmaster asked persons whose homes or business

GHVWUR\HGWRWHOO3RVW2IFHDQDGGUHVVIRUGHOLYHU\

of letters.

EMERGENCY EDITION OF THE GREENOCK TELEGRAPH RELEASED ON MAY 9TH 1941.


36/66

WWII -

RATION BOOKSRationing was introduced in 1940 to ensure the supply of essential and non-essential foods, clothing,

IXUQLWXUHDQGSHWUROGXULQJ:RUOG:DU7ZR%HIRUHWKHZDU%ULWDLQLPSRUWHGIW\YHPLOOLRQWRQVRIIRRGSHU

month, but once hostilities began this dropped to 12 million tons as the Germans tried to cut-off supplies by

attacking British ships.

All households in the country were issued with ration books to ensure that food and other goods were

allocated fairly, that prices didnt rise beyond the means of the less well-off and that people didnt hoard

VXSSOLHV$W\SLFDOZHHNO\DOORZDQFHRIIRRGIRUDQDGXOWFRQVLVWHGRIR]JEXWWHUR]JEDFRQ

and ham, 4oz (100g) margarine, 8oz (225g) sugar, 3 pints of milk, 50g (2oz) cheese, 1 fresh egg, 50g (2oz)tea and meat to the value of 1s 2d equivalent to about 6 pence today. 1lb (450g) of jam was allowed every

two months, 1 packet of dried eggs and 12oz (350g) of sweets every four weeks.

The end of rationing

began in 1948 but

continued long

after the war for

many products,

QDOO\HQGLQJZKHQ

restrictions on meat

and bacon were lifted

at midnight on 4 July

1954.

Above - This photograph from the

Scotsman Newspaper shows ration

books being distributed.

Right -A page from a wartime ration

book for butter and margarine, 1941.

Opposite Page -1. Baxter Street,2. Belville Street3. Cowan and

4. :HVEXUQ6XJDU5HQHU\

- all casualties of the Blitz.

35


37/66


38/66

2737

GOALKEEPer

extraordinaireJimmy Cowan is undisputedly Mortons greatest

ever goalkeeper. For many years he held

the record of Scottish Goalkeeping, with his

impressive 25-cap. He was Scotlands number

one goalkeeper between 1948-52, alwayswearing a Morton blue and white hooped jersey

under his Scotland goalkeepers jersey when

playing.

James Cowan was born in Paisley in 1926.

He was picked up by Morton on a free transfer

in May of 1944. Shortly after in June of 1944,

Cowan enlisted for the army and his Morton

career was put on hold. He played for the

British Army during his war service

and his reputation reached far andwide as such. Cowan made his

league debut for Morton in

January 1947, making an

immediate impact by saving

two penalties. This was

Cowans only appearance

for the team that season as

he had to return to the army

once again.

On leaving the army,Cowan went straight

back into the Morton

team in November 1947.

With the team boasting

other great players, they made it into the 1948

Scottish Cup against Rangers. The game is

largely remembered for its huge crowds; 131,629

spectators witnessed the 1-1 draw and 133,570

fans witnessed the replay. Rangers won thematch 1-0, and there were speculations after

the game that Cowan had been momentarily

EOLQGHGE\DSKRWRJUDSKHUVDVKFDXVLQJKLP

to miss the ball.

His greatness was, perhaps, best shown during

the Scotland v England game of 1949, the game

which would later be referred to as Cowans

Match. Cowan made countless fantastic saves,

providing Scotland with a 3-1 win.

He continued to wow the Morton

supporters during his time at the

club, and only in 1953, after

Morton had been relegated

the previous season, did

he move to Sunderland

for 9,000. He retired from

football just three years later

in 1956. He took over a

pub in Greenock, and

OOHG LW ZLWK PHPRUDELOLDfrom his time at Morton

and his career as one

of Scotlands Greatest

Goalkeepers.

The story of one of Mortons greatest ever players...


39/66

P. Wright - Confectioner, 1931

This is a good example of both advertising and

fashion during this era. Here we have a Mr. P.Wright, who owned a confectioner store. We can

see him dressed quite smartly, and some familiar

brands, Rowntrees and Cadburys.


40/66

27

There is a foreign invasion beginning at Morton, who is the

0DQ,Q%ODFN"DQGZHJHWDQLQWHUYLHZRQHRIWKH&OXEV

all time legends, Mr Morton.

39


41/66

Morton Legend - Billy Steele

Billy Steele, born 1st May 1923, was one of

Scotlands greatest inside forwards. He playedfor Morton between 1942 - 47, and made many

appearances for Scotland. He was entered in to

the Scottish Football Hall of Fame in 2006.


42/66

41

THE GREAT

Danish TAKE OVERDuring the 1963-64 season, a friendly match

took place between the Danish Club Bronshoj

of Copenhagen, and Morton. The game

showcased the talents of goalkeeper Anne

Nielson, prompting Morton to make an enquiry

about him coming to Cappielow. Morton

were advised by the Bronshoj manager that

if they were after a talented goalkeeper, they

should be enquiring about the current Danish

Internationalist, Erik Sorensen.

6RUHQVHQZDVRZQRYHUWR&DSSLHORZDQG

was signed to the Club, before anyone had

HYHQVHHQKLPSHUIRUP+HPDGHKLVUVW

match appearance in a friendly game that

evening, and the following morning everyone

was curious to know who the Man In Black

was, and Who was Mr. X? The truth about

Sorensens origins soon came out, and it

seemed that Morton had opened up a new

avenue in Scottish Football, as Dundee United,

Aberdeen and Hearts all tried to go down the

same path.

Luckily for Morton, they now had a contact,

DQGRYHUWKHQH[WWHQ\HDUVDVWHDG\RZRI

high class players and talent made its way

across to Greenock and signed for the Club.

Sorensen, who started this great venture,

returned to Cappielow in 1970 after some time

at Glasgow Rangers, and became manager for

a short time in 1974.


43/66


44/66

2743

Allan mcgraw

- mister morton -

What was your best moment when you were

SOD\LQJIRU0RUWRQ"

,WVYHU\GLIFXOW,KDGDORWRIJUHDWPRPHQWV,

suppose one of them is scoring a goal in the Semi

Final which got us into the Cup Final. Another time I

scored four goals against Kilmarnock the year theywon the league. Im fortunate, every game was a

pleasure to me and I can remember them all.

Do you always check for Morton when checking

IRRWEDOOUHVXOWVDWWKHZHHNHQG"


45/66

3&6WUHHW- Girls Playing, 1954

This image shows us a glimpse of both thefashion and housing of Inverclyde in 1954. We

can see people of numerous ages, and there is a

great example of housing in the background.


46/66

27

,QWURGXFLQJRQHRIWKH&OXEVDOOWLPHOHJHQGDU\SOD\HUV

a run in with an equally as famous horse, and a sit in at a

Greenock Factory that made Headline news.

45


47/66

3 Goalsin Seven

Minutes!

44

0RUWRQ6HWD5HFRUG - 1968/69

Danish striker Per Bartram scores a recordthree goals in seven minutes against

1968/69 Cup Final winners Glasgow Celtic,

all before the game reaches 15 minutes.


48/66

Morton Legend -Andy Ritchie

Andy Ritchie was born in 1956 in Glasgow. He started

his professional career by signing with Celtic at justseventeen years of age. Turning down a 4 year deal with

Celtic in 1976, Ritchie made the decision to move

to Morton...

47


49/66

ANDY RITCHIE

0RUWRQ/HJHQG$QG\5LWFKLHPHHWVWKHOHJHQGDU\5HG5XPWKUHH

WLPHVZLQQHURIWKH*UDQG1DWLRQDO


50/66

THE LEGENDAs Celtic were looking for a goalkeeper at the time, a

deal was made, moving Roy Baines to Parkhead, and

Ritchie moved to Cappielow, along with a payment to

Morton of 10,000. Celtic were actually paying Morton

to take Andy Ritchie off of their hands!

Andy quickly showed his star potential, scoring a double

in his second match for the team againt Montrose.

One of his goals was scored directly from a free kick,

the image of which was only seen in those days if

youd had a chance to catch a glimpse of the 1970Mexico World Cup, from the likes of Pele and Rivelino.

Realising his love for this technique, it quickly became

an integral part of Ritchies game.

Red Rum Opens

1GY%GVVKPI2HEGTwo sporting favourites were at Port Glasgow today to

PDNHVXUHWKDWDQHZEHWWLQJRIFHLQ3ULQFHV6WUHHWJRW

off to a good start.

Three-times winner of the Grand National, Red Rum,

ZDVRIFLDOO\WKHFHOHEULW\LQYLWHGWRRSHQWKH+RUVH

5DFH7RWDOLVHU%RDUGVQHZEHWWLQJRIFHLQ3ULQFHV

Street - but had a little help from Morton personality

player Andy Ritchie.

You can safely bet that Red Rum was the runaway

winner with the crowds at the opening!

But Andy had a second favourite for the afternoon -

he chose to put 100 given to him by the Board on

&ODXGLR1LFRODLLQWKHDW/LQFROQ$Q\ZLQQLQJV

from the race will go to charity.

- Greenock Telegraph, Saturday 24 March 1979

49


51/66

In 1981, 240 women barricaded themselves into

the Lee Jeans factory in Greenock for an incredible

seven months after bosses tried to shift work to a

plant in Northern Ireland.

Today, three workers - Margaret Wallace, Helen

Monaghan and Catherine Robertson - look back on

the struggle and tell how their epic battle forged a

bond that will never be broken.

When bosses of American clothing giant Lee Jeans

told the 240 working-class women from Greenock

they were losing their jobs, they expected to have a

JKWRQWKHLUKDQGV

Little did they realise that battle would turn into an

incredible seven-month war, fought by the workers

with a grit and determination that captured the

imagination of the whole country.

Shocked by the decision that would condemn them

to the dole queue, the ladies barricaded themselves

into the factory canteen on 5 February 1981, locked

the doors and prepared for the overnight protest

they thought would force management into a speedy

U-turn.

Seven months later, they were still camped down,

JKWLQJIRUWKHLUMREVDQGWKHLUOLYHOLKRRGV

The girls are preparing for an emotional reunion next

month in Greenocks St Laurences Social Club to

mark the 30th anniversary of their landmark victory

against the American multi-national company.

The event is being organised by former machinists

Margaret Wallace, Catherine Robertson and Helen

0RQDJKDQ WKH HU\ VKRS VWHZDUGZKR XQLWHG WKH

women during the historic strike.

Speaking to the Tele this week, the trio fondly recalled

the amazing story that gripped the nation and made

headline news all over the United Kingdom.

+HOHQ VDLG 7KH FRPSDQ\KDGDQRWKHU

factory in Northern Ireland and bit by bit they were

moving the work over. As shop steward I knew what

was going on and was determined to oppose it.

We tried everything to save our jobs, offering to take

pay cuts and go to a three-day week - you name it -

but their minds were made up. They wanted to close

us down.

Lee was owned by the VF Corporation, who had

been given lots of grants to come to Greenock. The

way we saw it, our money had set them up here, so

this was our factory.

They were a massive company, and the odds

were stacked against us - but we werent going to go

GRZQZLWKRXWDJKW

2QWKDWUVWQLJKWZRUNHUVVHWWOHGGRZQIRU

a sit-in protest, where they bonded by singing songs,

swapping stories and making a midnight trip to the

local chippie.

0DUJDUHWVDLG(YHU\RQHZDVLQKLJKVSLULWV

as we fully expected the protest to be over by the

morning. Catherine and I led everyone in a few

songs, we told stories and basically just had a good

time.

A few people even climbed out the skylight and

EURXJKWEDFNVKVXSSHUVWRIHHGXVDOO

That night will always live in my memory as there

was a real sense of camaraderie, although we had

no idea what was ahead of us.

Helen, now retired, told how a sympathetic staff

member cut a key and passed it to the protesters to

allow them to split into two eight-hour shifts without

alerting unwitting factory chiefs.

6KHVDLG,ZRQWPHQWLRQQDPHVEXWVRPHRQH

got us a front-door key and one of the girls slipped

out and got a copy cut. The owners didnt have any

idea, but it allowed us to slip in and out.

As soon as we realised the sit-in wouldnt be

over in a day or two, we knew we had to come up

with a rota, with one shift from 8am to 8pm and the

others there through the night.

As time turned from days into weeks and months,

the community began to rally round, donating money,

food and other supplies.

&DWKHULQHVDLG,WZDVLQFUHGLEOH0RQH\VWDUWHG

coming in from far and wide, and the men from the

local shipyards brought us cash and camp beds that

we squeezed in through the windows.

Even the local butchers brought us food to keep us

going and a bus company took us to and from the

factory for our sit-ins. It was really overwhelming.

Many of the women were the breadwinners for their

families, so donations went back out as quickly as

they came in.

0DUJDUHWDGGHG,GRQWNQRZKRZPXFKZDV

raised, but it was a tremendous amount of money.

We looked at every woman individually, how many

mouths they had to feed and their circumstances,

and each got what we could afford to keep them

DRDW

As Helens trusted lieutenants, Catherine and

Margaret travelled all over, highlighting the cause

of the workers, attending rallies and collecting

donations from supporters across Scotland and the

north of England.

0DUJDUHWMRNHG:HZHUHVRSRRUZHZHUHFXWWLQJ

two-for-one train ticket vouchers off packs of Persil

soap powder to help us get about. That summed up

the whole struggle really.

7KHJKW KLWWKHKHDGOLQHV DFURVV WKH8QLWHG

Kingdom, making the front page of national

newspapers, and with continued coverage in the

pages of the Tele.

LEES JEANS FACToRY SIT INTHE GREENOCK TELEGRAPH ONLINE, PUBLISHED 17 JAN 2011 14:00


52/66

51

The protest even caused a stir at Westminster,

resulting in Labour leader Michael Foot visiting

the factory, while support also came from political

heavyweight Tony Benn.

+HOHQVDLG0LFKDHO)RRWZDVJUHDWDQGWROGXV

to keep our heads held high. That buoyed our spirits

GXULQJZKDWZDVDGLIFXOWWLPH

On 30 April 1981, thousands of Inverclyde shipyard

workers also downed tools and attended a rally at

the factory.

This was the date when a redundancy deal was

WREHFRQUPHGDQGUXPRXUVVSUHDGWKDWDWWHPSWV

would be made by management to forcibly end the

RFFXSDWLRQ$JDLQWKHZRPHQVWRRGUP

+HOHQ VDLG 7KH\ WULHG HYHU\WKLQJ WR JHW XV RXW

but we would not be moved. We were a family by

this point and although our numbers were down to

around 170, we were determined as we were on day

one.

7KHFKDPSDJQHZDVQDOO\XQFRUNHGLQ$XJXVW

when a buy-out by three former managers saved all

240 jobs.

A party was held in Greenock Town Hall to celebrate,

during which Helen received a special word of

congratulations.

6KHVDLG7KHFKLHIRISROLFHFDPHRYHUDQG

shook my hand to say well done. I think he was just

glad to see the back of us to be honest.

+HOHQWROGKRZ VKHQHYHU ORVW KHU UHEUDQG

DWWLWXGHHYHQDIWHUWKHEDWWOHZDVRYHU6KHDGGHG

Later, I was invited to go down for BBCs Question

Time programme and I met Malcolm Rifkind behind

the scenes.

He wasnt tooo complimentary about the strike

and I walked straight out the studio there and then.

My husband couldnt believe I was in London and

had gone back to sit in my hotel room.

Margaret, who now runs the Wee Steamie

ODXQGHUHWWH LQ 0XUGLHVWRQ 6WUHHW VDLG :KHQ LW

started, Catherine and I were just wee lassies.

I feel like we grew up during those seven months.

Helen was an absolute tower of strength and she

deserves so much praise. Nobody wanted to let her

down.

What we achieved is something I will always be

proud of and I cant wait to see everyone again.


53/66

$Q,QWHUYLHZZLWKDOLIHORQJVXSSRUWHUZLWKVRPH

LQWHUHVWLQJVWRULHVWRWHOO6DYH7KH7RQDQG0RUWRQDUH

SURPRWHGWRWKH6HFRQG'LYLVLRQ


54/66

5553

Mr Alistair Witherow - Teacher at St Columbas.

Save the Ton was made up of fans & representatives

from all the supporter and travel clubs. Some of the clubsinvolved were Prince of Wales, Morton Supporters Travel

Club, Albert Hotel, MISC, Chic Kavanaghs club and

Dunoon Morton Supporters.

There was no formal set up, although there were some

RIFHEHDUHUV%DVLFDOO\DQ\RQHZLWKLGHDVRQKRZWRUDLVH

funds could join the organisation. We met at least once a

week for about 6 months. Save the Ton, with the help of the

people of Inverclyde and surrounding areas,

raised over 100,000.

Chris Bradley - Lecturer at James Watt College

Save the ton was born out of fans heartfelt frustrations in

seeing a club with the history of Morton seemingly being

ripped apart and dissolved by a chairman only interested

in its possibilities of property development and making a

quick buck. Fans rallied around to see what they could

do to make the owner, fellow fans and the community ofInverclyde realise that a local team plays an important role in

the community where it sits and not just for 90 minutes each

week.

In terms of key moments, two come to mind. A rally and

march from Cathcart Square to Cappielow on the last

day of the season and Hogmanay when we were under

administration, and there was heavy snow falling. The

upcoming game at new year was under threat and if didnt

take place, there would be no gate money, no players

wages and Morton could have folded for ever. Save theTon mobilised and asked people to come to Cappielow on

hogmanay with shovels to clear the snow. As I approached

the stadium, heavy snow was still falling and I feared the

worst, but already inside, the pitch was full of fans and all

day we worked to clear the pitch and terracing. It tookALL

day and by the evening any thoughts of heading out for the

bells were gone due to tiredness, but it was one of the most

inspiring moments Ive had - seeing people coming together

for the common good and a couple of days later the game

went ahead and the club was saved.


55/66

52

PROFESSOR JAMES PICKETT

SPOKESMAN FOR THE CONSORTIUM

RECOLLECTIONS OF A LIFETIME SUPPORTER

,OOWHOO\RXUVWDERXWWKHFXSQDOEHWZHHQ0RUWRQ

and Rangers in 1922, I didnt see that, of course,

but my father saw it. And I had a neighbour for a

very long time that was a

member of the team that

won the cup.

I was once shown round

the Ibrox trophy room,

and in the room there is

a journal that records the

highlights of Rangers

history. So, of course, I

took the opportunity to

look up what it had to say

DERXWWKHFXSQDO

and what I found was that

Rangers played the latter

part of the game with

only ten men because one

of their players had been

injured, and in those days,

of course, there were no

substitutes. So if you were

down to ten men you were

down to ten men, and you

just had to play on

Anyway, they played on and

Rangers were doing their best to equalize because0RUWRQKDGVFRUHGLQWKHUVWKDOIIURPDIUHHNLFN

They didnt succeed and at the end of the game

Morton wanted to celebrate, but they had been so sure

that they were going to lose that they hadnt brought

anything with them to celebrate with. But Rangers

KDGEHHQVRFRQGHQWWKDWWKH\ZHUHJRLQJWRZLQ

that they had, so Morton celebrated by borrowing

FKDPSDJQHIURP5DQJHUVLQWKHQDO

7KHRWKHUQDOVZKLFK,GLGVHHZHUHLQ:H

JRWWRWKHQDORIWKHOHDJXHFXSDOWKRXJKZHZHUHLQWKHQGGLYLVLRQDQG5DQJHUVZHUHLQWKHROGUVW

division. We beat Hibernian on the way there, and

LQ WKH UVW KDOI LW ORRNHG DV LI0RUWRQZHUH JRLQJ

WRSHUIRUPZHOOEXWLQIDFWZHORVWWKDWJDPHYH

nothing.

In that season, throughout

the entire league

programme, we only lost

one game to East Fife

(3-1) and that was the

season Allan McGraw

scored more goals than

in any other season. It

was certainly the season

in which Morton had

accumulated in percentage

terms the highest number

of points. And we were

promoted and stayed that

ZD\WRWKHUVWGLYLVLRQ

I also saw the Cup Final

of 1948 with Jimmy

Cowan, who was the best

goalkeeper that Morton

ever had, and I think

the best goalkeeper that

Scotland ever had. And

that was a game at which

there were 146,000 people.

It was a bit crowded but it was before Hampdenhad been transformed and there was only the main

stand and another stand, which was on stilts so that

underneath the stilts there was still space. But there

were no great problems, I mean, the biggest danger

was that someone needed a pee and did it on your

legs!

But Morton had scored their goal in the 1922 cup

QDOIURPDIUHHNLFNDQGPLGZD\WKURXJKWKHUVW

half in the 1948 Saturday game they got a free kick

and they scored again! A man called Jimmy Whitescored, he was a very good player and, of course, we

were all hoping that history was about to repeat itself,

PROFESSOR JAMES PICKETT


56/66

but then, with about 12 minutes to go a man called

Torry Gillick equalized for Rangers and we had to

come back on the Wednesday night and there was

another 136,000 spectators! The light wasnt very

good towards the end of the game and very, very late

on, Bobby Williamson got the ball for Rangers and

was bearing down on goal when a photographer cameout and took a picture... And our theory is that the

DVKJRWLQ&RZDQVH\HVRWKHUZLVHKHZRXOGKDYH

saved it and it would have gone to another replay

and we would have got another 126,000. That must

have been by far in the way of the largest revenue

that Morton ever got from two successive football

matches!

THE GREATEST PLAYERS

The greatest player, in my opinion, was Cowan. The

goalkeeper Jimmy Cowan, and also Billy Steele the

centre forward, were the best Morton players, but

thats in terms of regular Morton players. During

the war, when we did very well, we won the victory

shield after the 1914-1918 war. And during the

Second World War, when we played in a thing called

the Southern League, we did well also. We did well

in the past. Then we went to the Scottish Cup, and

that was partly because of some of the guests we had,

and one of the guests was Stanley Matthews.

I remember very, very clearly seeing a game on

New Years day in which Matthews was playing for

Morton. Morton were playing St Mirren and we won

eight - nothing! Most of the goals were scored by

a man called Johnny Crum who had recently given

up his career at Celtic and signed for Morton. And

the process of the game was that Matthews would

wander up the left wing with the ball, and sometimes,

just to break the boredom, he would beat a man and

just go back and beat him again for fun. He would

get to the corner and then he would cross over and

Crum was stood there, and hed just bang it in, and

so it went on and on and on. There was a fashionable

joke at the time, which took the form of a question:

Did you hear about Johnny crumb? No, what

happened? Hes dead Why, what happened?

He fell off the end of a loaf!

That was a very widely used joke after the eight

nothing game. Tommy Lawton also played, but apart

from them, Cowan and Steele were outstanding and

unmatched. Both of them are in the Scottish hall of

fame and I would say that they were the best for me.

ADMINISTRATION

Now, let me tell you about administration. It was

an American invention; someone realized that some

companies that went bankrupt, in fact, went bankrupt

unnecessarily, in the sense that, although they were

down for that particular point in time, they couldrecover. They then introduced a thing called Chapter

2 Bankruptcy, which in this country was introduced

as Administration. Now, Morton were placed in

Administration which means that a Court, the High

Court in Edinburgh, appoints chartered accountants

to run the club. I was spokesman for the Consortium

that actually got Morton out of Administration and

that largely was a question of dealing with Sir Hugh

Scott.

%HFDXVHUVWO\ZKDW\RXKDYHWRGRLVJHWHQRXJKmoney to buy the Club and secondly, persuade the

shareholders, of whom Hugh Scott was by far the

largest, to accept. That persuasion was very hard

work, believe me.

We almost faltered at the end. We had the support

of Inverclyde Council, particularly the then provost

David Roach, and we had the promise of the Council

that they would give us a loan of about 350,000 to

enable us to complete the transaction once we had

persuaded Scott to agree. Eventually, I did manage topersuade him.

There was a deadline of 12 oclock, in the chartered

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But then, on the morning I was to get the cheque from

the Council, they told me that they couldnt do it, they

ran into a snag of some sort! I phoned Douglas Rae

and he produced a cheque in that time for 350,000!

So, Douglas Rae saved Greenock Morton in a very

important sense, but if it wasnt for that 350,000

I dont know what would have happened. Theremight have been another consortium waiting in the

wings - there were rumours to that effect - but I dont

think they wouldve sustained it the way it has been

sustained. So we got out of administration by the skin

of our teeth, so to say, and I then spent a year on the

Board. It was never my intention to stay on the Board

because my view is that Im a Morton fan, and I told

the other directors that my ideal was to sit on my own

seat, and shout at them when they are playing badly!

55


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Saturday 10 May, 2003, will be a day to remember for all Morton fans when an

astonishing 8,497 turned out at Cappielow to will their heroes on to the Third

Division title. There have been more prestigious achievements in the clubsKLVWRU\EXWQRQHEHWWHUH[HPSOLHGWKHVSLULWRIDFOXEDQGLWVFRPPXQLW\LQ

battling against the odds. Two years ago Morton faced extinction. Now they can

look forward with growing optimisim.


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Peter Weatherson

Peter Weatherson was born on May 29 1980 in

North Shields, England. He signed for Morton

for 30,000 in the season of 2003/2004, from

Queen of the South.

He is currently the Clubs 5th joint top post war

league goal scorer.


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some words from the pupils who put so much effort into

creating this book.

59


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60

2011 group photoTaken at the Exhibition for the We Are Morton Project...

On March 17th 2011, an exhibition was opened in 7 1/2 John Wood Streets Studio Space, to

promote the We Are Morton Project. It was put together & organised by the pupils of St Columbas

High School, with help from staff at 7 1/2 John Wood Street.

The pupils came up with ideas for admission tickets, invitations & posters that were distributed

amongst council members, schools, local businesses and former players & coaches of the Club.

Many important people turned up to share their memories and stories about the Club, including

Chairman Douglas Rae, Legend Allan McGraw, Professor James Pickett, Ronnie Miller, and the

current squad even turned up for a look at the images of their Clubs History.

2YHUSHRSOHFDPHWKURXJKWKHGRRUVLQWKHUVWWZRGD\VZKLFKSURPSWHGWKHH[KLELWLRQWRstay open for a further full week, with everyone who passed coming in for a look at what we had

been up to so far. The exhibition was a great success and was featured in a full page spread in the

Greenock Telegraph.


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SPONSORSHIP

& MASCOTS$QGKRZLWKDVDIIHFWHGIRRWEDOODQGLWVSOD\HUVSponsorship has become a huge part of football today, ensuring players and clubs receive large

amounts of money, just for wearing a logo on their shirt. Companies believe that people will see

their footballing idols wearing their brand, and will in turn buy it as its associated with their favourite

club. While this is in some cases true, it has also become a way for some footballers to earn lots

more money, and it is set to continue as footballers become ever more popular.

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VZHHWVDUHPDGHLQ,QYHUFO\GHDQGDUHEHFRPLQJHYHUPRUHSRSXODU

0RUWRQV0DVFRWLVWWLQJO\QDPHG&DSSLHWKH&DWDQGKHKDVDFOXEIRU\RXQJSHRSOH

ZKHUHWKH\UHFHLYHVSHFLDOJLIWVWKURXJKRXWWKH\HDULIWKH\DUHDPHPEHU

&DSSLHWKH&DWLQDFWLRQ

0LOOLRQV6ZHHWV$GYHUW


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I enjoyed the Morton Project.

We went to many places

that tie in with the book. We

went to Hampden Park, the

National Archives & Mary

Kings Close.

We also held an exhibition

in 7 1/2 John Wood Street to

help boost knowledge of ourproject and book.

- Shannon Docherty

I think this book project has

taught me a lot and has been

a great experience for me.

I hope the wider community

will appreciate the hard work

by 7 1/2 John Wood Street.

-Reegan Kelly

The things I enjoyed about

WKLVSURMHFWZHUH

- Trip to Hampden and the

Scottish Cup Draw.

- Tour of Mary Kings Close in

Edinburgh

-Tour of the National Archives

on our trip to Edinburgh.

- Courtney Spence

During this project we have

learned how to use cameras

and interview skills. We went

on a trip to Edinburgh and

had a tour through Mary

Kings Close and had a tour

through the National Archives

where we got information

on Morton Football Club. -Michael Campbell

I enjoyed doing the morton

project because we have

learned a lot and we went to

Hampden, John Wood Street,

Mary Kings Close and the

National Archives. We also

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sound and interviewing.

- Christopher Stewart

I think that the project has

been good because we have

been getting to go trips to

Hampden Park for a tour and

we got invited into the live

Scottish Cup Draw. We also

went to Mary Kings Close

and then went to the National

Archive in Edinburgh.

- Shaun Boyle

I enjoyed doing the Morton

Project. I found it interesting

and learned loads of new

things. We went on trips

to Hampden, Mary Kings

Close, National Archives and

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information.

- Gemma McConnell

Things I enjoyed during the

:H$UH0RUWRQ3URMHFW

- Hampden

- Live Scottish Cup Draw

- Mary Kings Close

- Exhibition at 7 1/2 John

Wood Street

- National Archives- Connor King

MEET THE s3 asdan teamThe young people of St Columbas High School share their thoughts

and opinions on the experience of working on the We Are Morton Project

with 7 1/2 John Wood Street.


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Over the past year I have

taken part in the We Are

Morton Project. I really

enjoyed it, especially

UHVHDUFKDQGOPLQJ

- Paige Brown

I enjoyed going to Hampden.

I enjoyed seeing the Live Cup

Draw and being taught how

WRLQWHUYLHZDQGOPSHRSOH

- Sophie Gallacher

Over the past year I have

taken part in the We Are Morton

Project. I really enjoyed the

exhibition and researching

information.

- Kyla Downie

I enjoyed working on the book

especially going to Hampden

Football Park and Mary Kings

Close.

- Lauren Brown

I enjoyed designing a cover

for the book and researching

information. I learned how

to interview which would

be helpful for my job in the

future.

- Christopher Gavin

I really enjoyed the subject, there was something

that everybody could enjoy.

- Kelsey Burke

I have taken part in the

Morton Project. What I have

enjoyed is interviewing and

designing for the book. It hasbeen a very enjoyable thing

to take part in. We all cant

wait for the book to come

out.

- Mark McNeil

I worked on the We Are Morton Project during

ASDAN and learned new things

- Erin Kavanagh

I enjoyed working on the

Morton Project, and learning

new things.

- Nicole Rice

I enjoyed writing the book.

I really liked going to Mary

Kings Close.

- Erin McEwan

I enjoyed going on the

trip to Edinburgh when we

worked on the We Are Morton

Project.

-Sharrie Wallace


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the history of morton f.c. (1874-2011)

Documents