MORTON legend Andy Ritchie admitted he was "lost for words" after hundreds of adoring fans came to Greenock Town Hall to celebrate the career of the 'King of Cappielow'.

The 68-year-old, and his family, were joined by some of football’s biggest names on Friday, September 7 as they looked back on a stellar career that saw Ritchie etched into Cappielow folklore following a memorable seven-year stint in Greenock.

Ritchie was left in awe of those who came to pay homage to a stellar careerRitchie was left in awe of those who came to pay homage to a stellar career (Image: Duncan Bryceland)
The former Celtic man, who’d initially arrived on Sinclair Street as part of a player-plus cash-deal for fellow Ton hall of famer Roy Baines, would go on to have an extended career in the game spanning nearly half a century.

After his playing days were over, he took up scouting roles with Celtic, Manchester City and West Ham before being appointed to a role within Gordon Strachan’s coaching set-up at the Scotland national team.

But he says that the love shown for him and his family by the unwavering Cappielow faithful, particularly at Friday night’s sell-out event, will stay with him forever as he reiterated that Greenock will remain his second home.

Among the messages at Friday's event was a touching tribute from the late Craig Brown, recorded before the former Scotland boss died in June 2023 at the age of 82.

Ritchie told the Tele: “I really was touched to be joined by so many people on Friday night.

“When the idea was first brought up, there’s always a little bit of self-doubt as to how it would work.

“It was something special, it really was. It was great to be there with my family and allow them to feel the atmosphere within the place and the love that people have for me.

Former Celtic and Scotland manager Gordon Strachan was in attendance to support a former colleague and friendFormer Celtic and Scotland manager Gordon Strachan was in attendance to support a former colleague and friend (Image: Duncan Bryceland)

“To have old players, pals of mine, all in the one place at the one time was really special for me. You don’t appreciate things like that until you’re a bit older.

"I’ve said it so many times: Morton supporters have been fantastic to me, since I stepped through the door in 1976 right up until Friday night.

“I didn’t know a thing about what was going to happen. The only thing I’d been asked about was the speakers. Gordon Strachan and John Rowbotham are two people I’ve got a lot of time for and I'm grateful for them being very good friends to me.

“To have messages from guys like Craig Brown, my old school teacher, someone who’s known me since I was 11, guys like John McMaster, Joe Harper, Archie McPherson, Roy Baines, Martin Compston and then Sir Alex Ferguson.

 

 

“People seem to think that Sir Alex and I don’t get on, but that might just be for the goals I scored against his Aberdeen sides.

“I think he’s got a bit of respect for me, and I’ve got a barrel-load of respect for him, although he got off lightly. He only had to deal with me for four years whilst my family have dealt with me for much longer!

"I come from a Motherwell family. We were all Motherwell supporters. They were my first love, but Morton will forever be my last."

Ritchie stepped back from his footballing commitments, that saw him become the star of the show at Cappielow hospitality events over the course of the last four years, at the end of last season.Ritchie stepped back from his footballing commitments, that saw him become the star of the show at Cappielow hospitality events over the course of the last four years, at the end of last season. (Image: Duncan Bryceland)

Ritchie stepped back at the end of last season from his remaining football commitments which had seen him become the star of the show at Cappielow hospitality events over the last four years.

And he’s enjoying having his weekends back, particularly being able to spend time with his family and watching his granddaughter Kieraply her trade in the SWPL Premier League Two with Hamilton Accies.

He added: “My family is no different from anyone else’s. They’re busy people, and most of the time we’re able to all get together is at the weekends.

"When I was doing the stuff at Cappielow, I was out the door for before 11am and not back before 9pm sometimes. If Kiera was playing away from home, I’d usually be ruling myself out because of the busy day prior.

"I’m loving being able to watch her be obsessed with football. I get a lot of enjoyment out of that.

"She can’t wait to train and play, and she loves talking to people I know about the game too. It’s been nice to be able see a lot more of her playing.”