ONE of Morton's oldest surviving former players says every appearance he made for the club was a career highlight.

Jimmy McDonald was part of the Ton squad in 1957/58 and 1958/59 and chalked up seven goals across 27 appearances.

Jimmy, now 91, shared some of his memories with the Tele from his home in Wemyss Bay.

The former right-sided player grew up in Greenock's Belville Street as one of six siblings.

When his family moved to Baxter Street, Jimmy's love for Morton was enhanced by a fantastic view.

He added: "My bedroom window looked out towards the Wee Dublin End of Cappielow and I could see everything that was happening right at the goal.

"Back then, everybody went to Cappielow.

"My father had a reserve seat at the barrier just behind the directors and when he died, I carried it on and eventually passed it onto my brother.

"I've always been a Morton fan.

"It was a triumph just walking to Cappielow.

"I always felt good walking down the road to the game."

Greenock Telegraph:

Jimmy started his career at Dumbarton and played for Gillingham down south before moving to Morton for the final two seasons of his playing career.

His contracts with Morton and Dumbarton were part-time but he was a full-time player at Gillingham.

The talented young winger was spotted by Morton when he was playing for Gourock Juniors.

He said: "Back at that time the senior teams went to junior teams to look for players.

"I had been over playing trials for Dunoon but decided to come back and play for Gourock, and that's where it all started.

"Gibby McKenzie was the manager when I first and then it was Jimmy McIntosh.

"It was a dream come true for me to play for the club after watching them when I was a boy."

Jimmy came from a family of coal merchants and when his playing days were over he took on a role in the family business.

But he decided to look for work further afield and ended up working for Vauxhall Motors down in Luton for 10 years.

Even after hanging up his boots, Jimmy kept his football skills alive and kicking.

He added: "Coal was on the way out so I ended up down in Luton and I got involved in coaching when I was there as well.

"The call of Greenock brought me back and I worked for National Semiconductor for a while.

"Guys from Hamilton's shipbuilders in Port Glasgow got a team together and asked me to join and I was involved in the corporation team with guys from Broomhill."

Jimmy says a lot of his success in football was down to a good upbringing and a strong work ethic instilled by a popular youth organisation.

He added: "My mother and father brought me up really well.

"I joined the Boys' Brigade and I absolutely loved it.

"It taught me all about discipline and I think that really helped my playing."

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Jimmy said he's happy with how the Ton are performing just now but did say he was disappointed about what happened with former manager, David Hopkin.

He added: "I thought they should have held onto David for a bit longer.

"I think they parted with him too quickly.

"He was going to make a difference to the team eventually.

"I was a wee bit upset about that, but I'm quite excited about how they've been doing."

To help him celebrate his 91st birthday, representatives from Morton presented Jimmy with a home top signed by the squad.

The former Cappielow star said he was very proud to receive the gift. 

He added: "It was a lovely surprise.

"I don't know how it all came about but it's lovely that it happened.

"I don't feel any different at 91.

"I realised I was getting a bit older when I reached 80 and I started to feel it a wee bit."

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Jimmy still follows the team avidly and says he'll always hold a place for Morton in his heart.

He added: "I have the Teletext on when they're playing so I can see when they score.

"It's the only team I've ever been interested in.

"Walking out onto the pitch with my strip on was always enough for me."