Morton Club Together Updates

[vikingTON]

7 hours ago, capitanus said:

1) 

GMST was a toxic organisation which self imploded as a result of personalities, egos, bad leadership and the fallout of the Stars of 79 night.  And it was probably just as well it did, because in their rush to get rid of the club in the advent of the pandemic, if there was no MCT around then the lesser Raes could have just as easily passed the baton onto them and the outcome could have been far worse than what we've got today. 

2)  I'm really not too worried as much as others about things like Gus McPherson being in charge, how the communications are being run, the website etc. however the one thing that MCT are failing time and time again is the elephant in the room - the club have signed a convicted sex offender and they are refusing to acknowledge it.  Someone like that should be nowhere near our club, regardless of how good/bad a player he may be.   This doesn't sit right with many in our support and its not going to go away any time soon.  There was no questions asked or aswered about it at the farcical Q and A, why was that?

1) Well no they couldn't, because without a substantial funding base from the membership, there would not have been the opportunity for the Raes to hand over the club to a fan ownership group. The viability of an umbrella fan group was an essential precondition to a takeover bid: GMST did not have this. 

If we had followed your cynicism above all else attitude, then we'd actually have had the GMST gormlessly 'representing' the fans from the sidelines, as GC flogged the club to the highest private bidder. And then we'd have absolutely no say in what happens to the club at all. 

2) It's only the 'elephant in the room' to you and a section of the fanbase. There are many others in the fanbase who believe that the elephant in the room is in fact the useless manager, who you preach unlimited respect for based on his performance at this level fifteen years ago. So when it comes to the failures of MCT, there are as many divergent views on that topic as any other within the fanbase. 

[MCT Team]

22 hours ago, 9 Strathblane Crescent said:

I have a question for MCT. Why is Crawford Rae listed as a director of GMFC Property Ltd?

This is in the process of being changed. 

[TONofmemories]

9 hours ago, MCT Team said:

This is in the process of being changed. 

Interested to know if the feedback above, and elsewhere, RE. The Q&A, or lack of, is being monitored and taken onboard. Youll note this isn't just a few folk on a dark corner of the Internet disappointed with the Q&A, its a mass discontent. Since it went live it has largely been lambasted. I'm sure thats disappointing for MCT. What plans are in place to address a clear fraction between MCT and the fans?

[Toby]

I’m surprised to see no mention of the decision not to appoint a chairman to the board, but to take turns in who has the deciding vote at boardroom level- what an absolute farce.

I’ve made it clear in the last few months that I’m concerned about the lack of accountability in the running of the club, and this policy goes no way in easing those concerns. A display of leadership and a preparation to be held individually accountable when things go to shit would go some way to easing those concerns, but am I surprised by the musical chairs policy? Nope, not in the slightest. This strikes me as the board operating a protection racket to look after themselves. The younger guys have something nice for a CV and the old guard can tell their acquaintances up the golf club/bowling club/lodge that they’re the director of a football club to impress them, whilst not actually having to face up to the rank and file- unless of course the questions are collated and vetted by the SLO, and the tricky ones filed away in the nearest bin.

It is of course no surprise that the person I believe to be the main organ grinder; Mr. Ritchie, was nowhere to be seen on the video- the cynic in me would suggest a Warren Hawke-style holiday or sickie from him when the club’s AGM comes around. We’re more likely to see Lord Lucan crossing into the box for Maddie McCann to head in the winner at Hampden in May than we are to get answers off of him.

There’s been a lot of hilarity about the farcical events at Falkirk’s Q&A the other week, but let’s not kid ourselves, Morton’s current board simply would not put themselves in the position to be lambasted by their support the way the Falkirk lot did. Yes, they came out of it looking foolish, but at the moment, our own board are coming across as self-serving cowards who aren’t prepared to take the rough with the smooth. I’m not sure what’s worse.

[SpoonTon]

I didn't get around to watching the Q&A until yesterday, which probably shows what my expectations were for it - and I got pretty much what I expected. 

I have to say, never, ever say that your aim is 8th (especially for a club who are so established at this level). Build, consolidate, progress, improve - there are other ways of putting your aims which come across much better. The aim of the club should very much be to push up as high up the table as possible and look to build a better squad - maybe that means accepting 8th at the end of this season, maybe it doesn't. I don't think many would be satisfied with that. 

The word 'stability' was the word I expected with reference to the two year deal - I still suspect that Gus himself was able to convince them on that one. Dunning has already explained exactly why it's just so wrongheaded. I tend to think if they wanted stability, in that sense, then they could have appointed a director of football and then a head coach. A sense of stability and continuity can be built through having a solid structure at the club, and members of staff who are there for the long term. You can't build stability by giving a long term deal to such a pivotal role which is always going to be the biggest single thing that can be changed if things go wrong. To give both MacPherson and Millen two years deals isn't the way to build stability. I mean, 'To give the club stability and experience as we transition into community ownership' - then appoint a director of football on a two year deal, appoint a head coach, and come up with a plan for affording other coaches around that. Don't focus everything on a manager and his assistant.

It does make me feel that there aren't enough good footballing heads around the board. It's one thing to want expertise in other fields in the hope of skill transferability, but I doubt any lawyer would want a car salesman as his new partner at a law firm, even if he is very successful at his own job. I think something which is frustrating fans is that feeling that they don't really understand football well enough. Which they may feel is harsh, and rightly point out that most other fans don't either, but they need to improve quickly on that one. 

As I've said before, I'm very willing to be patient as they grow into this - but I do hope that they are humble and honest enough to address mistakes and improve the way in which they are doing things. 

[MCT Team]

18 hours ago, TONofmemories said:

Interested to know if the feedback above, and elsewhere, RE. The Q&A, or lack of, is being monitored and taken onboard. Youll note this isn't just a few folk on a dark corner of the Internet disappointed with the Q&A, its a mass discontent. Since it went live it has largely been lambasted. I'm sure thats disappointing for MCT. What plans are in place to address a clear fraction between MCT and the fans?

Hi there, since I was appointed onto the MCT board and started to post regularly on the forums to respond to fans I’ve said that everything said on here is seen, taken into account and forwarded onto the relevant parties, whether MCT board or club board. That will always continue, no matter the topic. It’s difficult to keep up at times and reply to everything but please rest assured it’s being seen and raised. 

On another point, we’ve seen the reaction since the club board Q&A and we’re already working on putting plans in place to have in-person events to be able to meet fans. We’ll share details on those when they’re finalised. 

[Guest capitanus]

49 minutes ago, MCT Team said:

Hi there, since I was appointed onto the MCT board and started to post regularly on the forums to respond to fans I’ve said that everything said on here is seen, taken into account and forwarded onto the relevant parties, whether MCT board or club board. That will always continue, no matter the topic. It’s difficult to keep up at times and reply to everything but please rest assured it’s being seen and raised. 

On another point, we’ve seen the reaction since the club board Q&A and we’re already working on putting plans in place to have in-person events to be able to meet fans. We’ll share details on those when they’re finalised. 

Is that why you have failed to acknowledge the fact that there is a sizeable element of the support dont want our football club to be associated with a convicted sex offender?

It wont go away, regardless of whether or not you think i'm merely a trouble-maker or whether Mr Ritchie has warned you not to reply to me.

 

[Guest capitanus]

9 hours ago, Toby said:

I’m surprised to see no mention of the decision not to appoint a chairman to the board, but to take turns in who has the deciding vote at boardroom level- what an absolute farce.

I’ve made it clear in the last few months that I’m concerned about the lack of accountability in the running of the club, and this policy goes no way in easing those concerns. A display of leadership and a preparation to be held individually accountable when things go to shit would go some way to easing those concerns, but am I surprised by the musical chairs policy? Nope, not in the slightest. This strikes me as the board operating a protection racket to look after themselves. The younger guys have something nice for a CV and the old guard can tell their acquaintances up the golf club/bowling club/lodge that they’re the director of a football club to impress them, whilst not actually having to face up to the rank and file- unless of course the questions are collated and vetted by the SLO, and the tricky ones filed away in the nearest bin.

It is of course no surprise that the person I believe to be the main organ grinder; Mr. Ritchie, was nowhere to be seen on the video- the cynic in me would suggest a Warren Hawke-style holiday or sickie from him when the club’s AGM comes around. We’re more likely to see Lord Lucan crossing into the box for Maddie McCann to head in the winner at Hampden in May than we are to get answers off of him.

There’s been a lot of hilarity about the farcical events at Falkirk’s Q&A the other week, but let’s not kid ourselves, Morton’s current board simply would not put themselves in the position to be lambasted by their support the way the Falkirk lot did. Yes, they came out of it looking foolish, but at the moment, our own board are coming across as self-serving cowards who aren’t prepared to take the rough with the smooth. I’m not sure what’s worse.

Dare I say it, as much as they seem to be a club in disarray nowadays, the Falkirk board doesnt come across as anything near as spineless as this current shower in charge at Morton.  I wasnt aware about this 'lack of chairman' fiasco, but it doesnt surprise me.  This lot need emptied, but i've a funny feeling they're going to make it difficult to remove them.

 

[Alibi]

14 hours ago, capitanus said:

Dare I say it, as much as they seem to be a club in disarray nowadays, the Falkirk board doesnt come across as anything near as spineless as this current shower in charge at Morton.  I wasnt aware about this 'lack of chairman' fiasco, but it doesnt surprise me.  This lot need emptied, but i've a funny feeling they're going to make it difficult to remove them.

 

I don’t think I know any of the MCT board members, but already some folk seem to be looking to replace them. I think that might be a bit premature as they have hardly been in post for long. What we as de facto shareholders must have however is regular reporting of what is being decided and why. Annually the board should stand for re-election and anyone who has not contributed anything to the efficient running of the business can be voted out. The club is now in effect owned by about 1000 people, and if it improves things, any one of them should be able to be voted on to the board. We don’t want a self serving clique who make all the decisions and have no accountability - that should have stopped with the departure of the Raes.

[CM48]

Frustrating as it is for the team on the park to have been pish for what seems like forever there's a lot of people on here who seem convinced that changing the manager / new board / everything / really would fix it. Let's say we do go looking for a director of football who do we get? Someone who's got a lot of experience and managed fairly successfully at a higher level, perhaps keeping a small team in the top flight? Like Gary Holt? Or maybe even all the way to international level, like Craig Levein? What would Hearts and Falkirk fans opinions be on them? Duffy? Worked so well at Ayr that Hoppy's already away and Jim's having to take the team.

Also, if we get rid of the new board, who's taking that on? Does anyone on here know of people with footballing backgrounds and board level experience knocking on the doors at Cappielow and asking to join in? Especially when your reward is people who are unwilling or unable to do it themselves telling you where you're going wrong and how to fix it? Not saying you shouldn't expect criticism, just saying who wants that in their life? The Q+A wasn't great (being kind) but at least they tried something. If they all chucked it tomorrow then...I genuinely don't know what would happen.

I listened to Cornetto there, which I enjoy, but thought it was a bit funny that they were handing out pelters left right and centre about various inept performances at the club in between silences from 1 of only 3 contributors. I mean how hard is it to check that 33% of your podcast is missing before telling the world it's a "must listen"? 

I've done some work for the club over the last few years on a voluntary basis and had dealings with 2 chief execs and the new general manager as well as Crawford and a few of the new MCT team now on the board and Gus. None of them (ok, maybe one) seemed concerned about themselves over what was good for the club.

Everyone seems to think that relegation is the apocalypse. Of course I don't want us to go down, but what's more important is that there's always a club there to support and I can't help thinking the more we hound out people who are willing to actually try and take things on on behalf of the supporters, the worse the caliber of those who then take over will be. Again, Cornetto were already coming out with "At least when the Raes were there..." stuff this week. Do I think Dean and co. should go because of the silent gaps and that I don't agree with some of their content? Absolutely not, it's obvious they're passionate about the club and that's both brilliant and the most important thing by a mile. It's why I listen and enjoy it so much.

And again, not saying it's fun being pish and 2nd bottom of the league, but surely the fact the new directors and staff in place are passionate enough about the club to put the time in to get involved in running it all is the most important thing? MCT getting the amount of people to sign up is a brilliant achievement. Lessons on how to not be so bad at answering fans questions will have be learnt along the way as I don't see who or what the alternative is? Saudis? Easdales? Anyone on here?

It might be over 20 years ago now but since liquidation I just want the club to always be there. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's enjoyed great times (and shite) following Morton in every league they've played in since I was a kid. And despite now many fans unease and disappointment in the running of the club this season, along with results on the park, I still feel the club won't go down the toilet and I'll always be able to and watch a Morton team playing at Cappielow. And I know it's a (very) long shot, but we could be 6th by Saturday evening. (Too much?)

 

[TheGoon]

Comparing an audio glitch on a fan podcast with the thousands of pounds spunked up the wall on a gubbins football manager, that is currently steering us towards relegation, is certainly something.

[CM48]

Ha, thanks. Massive rant shot down in 2 lines. I'll try again in another 6 months.

[Toby]

6 hours ago, CM48 said:

Frustrating as it is for the team on the park to have been pish for what seems like forever there's a lot of people on here who seem convinced that changing the manager / new board / everything / really would fix it. Let's say we do go looking for a director of football who do we get? Someone who's got a lot of experience and managed fairly successfully at a higher level, perhaps keeping a small team in the top flight? Like Gary Holt? Or maybe even all the way to international level, like Craig Levein? What would Hearts and Falkirk fans opinions be on them? Duffy? Worked so well at Ayr that Hoppy's already away and Jim's having to take the team.

Also, if we get rid of the new board, who's taking that on? Does anyone on here know of people with footballing backgrounds and board level experience knocking on the doors at Cappielow and asking to join in? Especially when your reward is people who are unwilling or unable to do it themselves telling you where you're going wrong and how to fix it? Not saying you shouldn't expect criticism, just saying who wants that in their life? The Q+A wasn't great (being kind) but at least they tried something. If they all chucked it tomorrow then...I genuinely don't know what would happen.

I listened to Cornetto there, which I enjoy, but thought it was a bit funny that they were handing out pelters left right and centre about various inept performances at the club in between silences from 1 of only 3 contributors. I mean how hard is it to check that 33% of your podcast is missing before telling the world it's a "must listen"? 

I've done some work for the club over the last few years on a voluntary basis and had dealings with 2 chief execs and the new general manager as well as Crawford and a few of the new MCT team now on the board and Gus. None of them (ok, maybe one) seemed concerned about themselves over what was good for the club.

Everyone seems to think that relegation is the apocalypse. Of course I don't want us to go down, but what's more important is that there's always a club there to support and I can't help thinking the more we hound out people who are willing to actually try and take things on on behalf of the supporters, the worse the caliber of those who then take over will be. Again, Cornetto were already coming out with "At least when the Raes were there..." stuff this week. Do I think Dean and co. should go because of the silent gaps and that I don't agree with some of their content? Absolutely not, it's obvious they're passionate about the club and that's both brilliant and the most important thing by a mile. It's why I listen and enjoy it so much.

And again, not saying it's fun being pish and 2nd bottom of the league, but surely the fact the new directors and staff in place are passionate enough about the club to put the time in to get involved in running it all is the most important thing? MCT getting the amount of people to sign up is a brilliant achievement. Lessons on how to not be so bad at answering fans questions will have be learnt along the way as I don't see who or what the alternative is? Saudis? Easdales? Anyone on here?

It might be over 20 years ago now but since liquidation I just want the club to always be there. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's enjoyed great times (and shite) following Morton in every league they've played in since I was a kid. And despite now many fans unease and disappointment in the running of the club this season, along with results on the park, I still feel the club won't go down the toilet and I'll always be able to and watch a Morton team playing at Cappielow. And I know it's a (very) long shot, but we could be 6th by Saturday evening. (Too much?)

 

You do realise that these volunteers have so far driven away Dean, Gerry McGeehan and Alan Coyle from the MCT Leadership team due to their rank incompetence/behaviour/attitude towards the support? Perhaps it would be worthwhile doing a bit of research into why there’s such discontent with goings on in the boardroom at Cappielow before trying to attack fans for having legitimate concerns?

And Morton were never liquidated. This century, the only Scottish League clubs that fate has befallen were Airdrieonians, Gretna and Rangers.

On a positive note, I’m looking forward to the next six months without being subjected your inane ramblings on here.

[Admin]

8 hours ago, CM48 said:

I listened to Cornetto there, which I enjoy, but thought it was a bit funny that they were handing out pelters left right and centre about various inept performances at the club in between silences from 1 of only 3 contributors. I mean how hard is it to check that 33% of your podcast is missing before telling the world it's a "must listen"?

Thanks for flagging this.

I posted the podcast late on Monday night after a few hours trying to salvage the podcast, the audio editing software I used produced the podcast with no issues, I then discovered the technical glitch and fixed it on Tuesday morning. The fixed sound file has now been uploaded if you wish to listen to it in its entirety. 

[dunning1874]

8 hours ago, CM48 said:

Also, if we get rid of the new board, who's taking that on? Does anyone on here know of people with footballing backgrounds and board level experience knocking on the doors at Cappielow and asking to join in? Especially when your reward is people who are unwilling or unable to do it themselves telling you where you're going wrong and how to fix it? Not saying you shouldn't expect criticism, just saying who wants that in their life? The Q+A wasn't great (being kind) but at least they tried something. If they all chucked it tomorrow then...I genuinely don't know what would happen.

...

I can't help thinking the more we hound out people who are willing to actually try and take things on on behalf of the supporters, the worse the caliber of those who then take over will be.

Who's doing this though? Admittedly in my post I referenced issues which I thought could make the position of GMFC board members untenable and be a resignation matter, but that was in the hypothetical scenario that a budget has been agreed which somehow makes it financially impossible to sack a manager regardless of their performance; I don't believe that's actually the case.

I'm not calling for the mass resignations of board members or calling for any single member to go, and I'm not seeing anyone else doing that. While emotions are understandably running high, I've genuinely not seen or heard anything in response to the Q&A which goes beyond constructive criticism. There's no abuse being given out and there's no attempt to hound any individuals off the board as far as I can see.

People are discussing this and being critical where they see mistakes or potential issues not because they have a desire to see MCT fail or want to clear the decks and start from scratch every single time any mistake is made, but precisely because they want it to work. Pointing out those mistakes and asking questions of MCT about the process which led to them isn't about a witch hunt to find out who's responsible and drive them out of Cappielow forever. It's about learning from the mistakes and understanding why they've happened so they aren't repeated and the club can be in a better position as a result.

[vikingTON]

9 hours ago, CM48 said:

1) Also, if we get rid of the new board, who's taking that on? Does anyone on here know of people with footballing backgrounds and board level experience knocking on the doors at Cappielow and asking to join in? Especially when your reward is people who are unwilling or unable to do it themselves telling you where you're going wrong and how to fix it? Not saying you shouldn't expect criticism, just saying who wants that in their life? The Q+A wasn't great (being kind) but at least they tried something. If they all chucked it tomorrow then...I genuinely don't know what would happen.

2) And again, not saying it's fun being pish and 2nd bottom of the league, but surely the fact the new directors and staff in place are passionate enough about the club to put the time in to get involved in running it all is the most important thing? 

3) It might be over 20 years ago now but since liquidation I just want the club to always be there. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's enjoyed great times (and shite) following Morton in every league they've played in since I was a kid. And despite now many fans unease and disappointment in the running of the club this season, along with results on the park, I still feel the club won't go down the toilet and I'll always be able to and watch a Morton team playing at Cappielow. And I know it's a (very) long shot, but we could be 6th by Saturday evening. (Too much?)

 

1) There were plenty of external people willing to take on the role of sitting on the GMFC board before. Some of the MCT leadership also came out of the woodwork sharpish once a spot in the comfy seats and bragging rights at the golf club appeared on the horizon. There was no shortage of candidates for the last election so the idea that only the current leadership group would possibly want to do the job is not supported by any facts. 

As for the 'what football experience do you have' - that's why a chief criticism of the current GMFC/MCT mindmerge is 'not bringing in relevant expertise for football affairs'. None of the current leadership team have any credible football experience either: which is not an issue, if you understand how to delegate authority to someone who does. Letting the accountants and lawyers decide who gets to be the manager has already driven us into a completely avoidable ditch after about 0.3 seconds in the hotseat.

Learn lessons or be replaced. That's how accountability and fan ownership should work. 

2) John Hughes' levels of pashun are not alone sufficient to qualify someone to run a professional football team. This is not a social club. 

3) The huge flaw with your argument is that the Scottish national leagues are no longer a closed shop. Morton can not bump around shamefully at the bottom of a pile of utter permadiddy outfits as the club did in the early 1960s. If it does so again, it will now find itself in the Lowland and ultimately West of Scotland leagues playing 'Broomhill' and 'Caledonian Braves' at the equivalent of Parklea every other week. Which would mean the death of any meaningful football club in this community. 

Where I agree with your argument is that we should not be as obsessed as we have been recently about avoiding relegation and preserving this nick of a  'Championship status'. Circling the drain and being too afraid to make meaningful change is the quickest way to killing enthusiasm for this fan ownership idea. A spell in the league below is in my view essential to rebuilding and restructuring on a sounder footing than this ad hoc, just get 40 points and we're fine approach, but that restructure still needs to happen. It is a case of adapt or die now in SPFL football. 

Edited November 4, 2021 by vikingTON

[Jamie_M]

9 hours ago, CM48 said:

Duffy? Worked so well at Ayr that Hoppy's already away and Jim's having to take the team.

What's Duffy's job description at Ayr got to do with a DOF suggestion?

[TONofmemories]

Another MCT director steps down. Family and personal reasons. 

[Cappiecat 1.2]

View this email in your browser

Morton Club Together director, Aidan Tracey, has tendered his resignation from the board. Current personal and family circumstances are taking up a considerable amount of his time, which sees him unable to commit the time he would like to as an MCT director to help move Morton forward and drive MCT into our new era as club owners.  Aidan provided the following for MCT members: “Since becoming an MCT director I’ve come to realise that the level of commitment this position requires is something that I’m not able to commit to. I’d like to do it to the best of my ability but I know, with my current circumstances, I’m not able to do that. I am in genuine awe of what has been achieved to date and want to thank the current and past directors for the commitment you’ve all put in over the past few years. I’m also incredibly grateful to those that nominated and voted for me to become an MCT director and hope they understand why I’m not able to continue in the role.  I remain fully behind MCT, and community ownership for Greenock Morton Football Club, and I can’t encourage members enough to continue to engage with your thoughts and questions.” We are committed to providing opportunities for our members to contribute to our long-term vision of being regarded as the benchmark example of community ownership. As such, despite our articles not requiring us to do so, we will now be seeking to appoint a new director in place of Aidan.  Following the same format as our recent AGM, we are now inviting MCT members to put themselves forward for nomination, with voting taking place at an EGM, which we will confirm a date for in due course.  Prospective board members are required by our articles to have 12 MCT members nominate them to become a director.  If you would like to put yourself forward as an MCT director, please email business@mortonclubtogether.co.uk and advise individuals who will be nominating you that they are required to email the same address to confirm their nomination of you as a candidate, with the vote taking place at the EGM.  The deadline for nominees and for member nominations to be received is two weeks today, Thursday the 18th of November, 2021.  This is your chance to play an active role in the future of Morton Club Together and Greenock Morton Football Club. If you feel you have the time, commitment, desire and skills to contribute and move Morton forward then it’s time for you to step forward.  The Morton Club Together board wishes to place on record their sincere thanks to Aidan for his hard work as a member of our wider team and then subsequently his time as a director. We hope all members will do the same, while also respecting Aidan’s privacy at this time.  Thanks, MCT Board

[MCT Team]

We've just sent an email update to our members to let them know that unfortunately Aidan Tracey has stepped down from the MCT board. 

Aidan's family circumstances have changed in recent weeks and as such he's not been able to dedicate the time to MCT that he originally thought he was able to, and wanted to, do. We're sure you'll respect his privacy and wish him well. He remains a big supporter of MCT and if his family circumstances change again in future he'll be back involved in our wider team. 

Our articles state that we don't need to replace Aidan on the board, but we want to. That process will be similar to what we just recently went through for the AGM, where the opportunity is open for any of our members to put themselves forward to become a board member, and they must be supported by nominations from 12 MCT members. The candidates will then be put forward to a vote at an EGM, where members in attendance will vote their preferred option onto the board.

Members who wish to put themselves forward, and the supporting nominations from fellow members, can email business@mortonclubtogether.co.uk to indicate their interest.