A fan’s guide – the club from early doors to today
Still known by many as ‘Morton’ even though there’s no such place, at least not on the banks of the Clyde, Greenock Morton are one of Scotland’s most enduring clubs.
Somehow, given the solitary item of major silverware in the trophy cabinet and a locality backdropped by half a century of industrial decline, the Ton have survived since 1874. Spending all but the first five years at Cappielow, near the docks that then provided the surrounding town of Greenock with employment, the club has always struggled to attract custom away from the lure of the Old Firm in nearby Glasgow.
A group of lads on Morton Terrace, a majestic old sandstone building named after a mayor of Greenock, formed the club after playing at a nearby field. The building stands to this day but Morton Football Club soon moved close to the waterfront at Cappielow.
Inaugural members of Scotland’s newly formed Division Two, Morton made it to the top level in 1900.
This early period, battling with the big clubs of Glasgow and Edinburgh for nearly three decades, proved the most successful in the club’s history. For six consecutive seasons from 1914, Morton finished in the top four, even runners-up one on occasion, to Celtic in 1917.
The crowning glory came in 1922 with a first and so far only victory in the Scottish Cup, an early strike from Jimmy Gourlay decisive against Rangers. Gourlay came from a long line of successful footballers from Cumbuslang – the fact he was at Morton at all indicates how prominent the club was then.
It wasn’t to last. Relegation in 1927 preceded two decades of bouncing between top and second flights, before another cup run in 1948. In three desperately tight games of 120 minutes each, Morton beat Celtic 1-0 in the semi-final, drew 1-1 with Rangers in the final then lost to the same opponent 1-0 in the replay.
Huge Hampden crowds – 272,000 for the two finals – watched Morton pull out all the stops against the Glasgow giants. Morton goalkeeper Jimmy Cowan had just won the first of 25 caps for Scotland while inside-forward Tommy Orr had just started out on a 250-plus game career for the Ton.
A rare high league finish in 1968 provided Morton with passage to Europe, bringing Chelsea to Cappielow in the Fairs Cup. A 5-0 win at Stamford Bridge had killed the tie but Morton at least kept the Londoners to 4-3 in the second leg. In the subsequent final, Danish international Preben Arentoft would score for Newcastle soon after his move from Morton.
Cappielow never staged European football again but it would soon have its own king, an audacious genius in the rather large shape of Andy Ritchie. Rejected by Jock Stein at Celtic, Ritchie had the skill but not the industry. An expert with a dead ball or an outrageous chip from 50 yards, Ritchie was hailed as a cult hero at excitement-starved Cappielow.
Scottish Footballer of the Year in 1978-79, he personified the flawed maverick of the day. Failing to land a major transfer, Ritchie retired at 28, though a Morton supporters’ club is named in his honour.
Life at Cappielow was never the same after him. Rescued from financial ruin by confectionery magnate Douglas Rae in 2003, Morton, now named Greenock Morton, achieved promotion to the second flight in 2007.
The seasons since have been marked by a managerial merry-go-round and regular flirtation with relegation. Under former Morton defender Jim Duffy, the club returned to the Championship in 2015 but have so far not recaptured the golden days of the Premiership and Andy Ritchie.
A promotional play-off in 2017 brought the club no closer, with only goal difference separating Morton from local rivals Partick and another extended season in 2023. Steered by former Morton winger Dougie Imrie, however, the Ton looked a fair bright prospect as the club’s 150th anniversary approached in 2023-24.
A run in the Scottish Cup, with a 5,000-plus crowd gathered for the win over Motherwell, increased the buzz around Cappielow, a subsequent floodlit fixture with Hearts being beamed to the nation on BBC Scotland.
Ground Guide
The field of dreams – and the story behind it
Cappielow Park, known simply as Cappielow, stands on the eastern edge of Greenock between a line of hills and the Clyde. Containing a Cowshed and a Wee Dublin End, Cappielow hasn’t lost its venerable romanticism but, under owner Douglas Rae, it began to embrace the 21st century. These days, you can book a three-course corporate meal and electronic ticketing has been introduced.
For all that, football here comes with a view of an iconic Titan shipbuilding crane that still looms over the Wee Dublin End. Visiting fans, until recently treated to this historic view, are now accommodated in the nearest section of the all-seater Grandstand to the former away end. The terraced home end is along Sinclair Street.
Capacity is 11,000, half of it seated.
getting here
Going to the ground – tips and timings
Cappielow is conveniently close to Cartsdyke station, directly linked with Glasgow, Paisley Gilmour Street and, just beyond, Greenock Central and West. Not all trains for Greenock from town call at Cartsdyke – the stopping service is usually every half-hour and takes 40mins from Glasgow Central. Trains are more frequent between Greenock and Cartsdyke, allowing for more choice of pre-match pubs.
From Cartsdyke station, head along adjoining Bawhirley Road to Carwood Street then bear left down the hill and under the rails to the ground.
Several McGill’s buses run the 5mins from Victoria Quay, near Greenock Central, to Sinclair Street, near Cappielow, including the 531, 532, 533, 901 and 906, meaning you shouldn’t have to wait more than 10-15mins for the next one.
The sat nav code for Cappielow is PA15 2TY. The car park on Sinclair Street (PA15 2TY) opposite the main entrance costs £3 – it’s to your left as you approach on the A8 from Langbank/Port Glasgow. Note that Sinclair Street itself is closed to traffic beyond the car park on match days.
getting in
Buying tickets – when, where, how and how much
The club operates an online ticketing system. You can still pay on the day but there’s a nominal fee to do so. Admission is otherwise £22 across the board, £16 for seniors & under-21s, £5 for 12-15s. Under-12s pay £5.
Note that for major cup ties, such as against Hearts in March 2024, you have to purchase online through Fanbase – you can’t pay in on the day.
what to buy
Shirts, kits, merchandise and gifts
There’s no regular shop at the ground. Smiths of Greenock (Mon-Sat 9am-5.30pm, May-Aug & Dec also Sun 11am-4pm), a store almost as venerable as Cappielow itself, on the corner of West Blackhill Street and Nicolson Street, stocks all kinds of Morton souvenirs.
First-team tops of blue-and-white hoops, away ones of all yellow and third-choice of all red with thin black pinstripes are stocked alongside retro shirts from the 1922 cup-winning year of darker blue and white hoops, topped with a suitably old-school white collar. Badges, keyrings and coffee mugs celebrate the club’s 150th anniversary.
Where to Drink
Pre-match beers for fans and casual visitors
The many bars in Greenock, along the train line all the way up to Gourock, are also handy for the ground – but the Greenock Morton Supporters’ Club deserves special mention, a welcoming bar where football talk dominates. It’s on Regent Street, near Greenock Central station.
The only place near the ground is the Norseman Bar, right on Sinclair Street, pretty basic and packed on match days. Above a fast-food outlet, it lays on evening entertainment to keep custom going during the week.
