John Laird announced as Chairperson

Greenock Morton can today confirm that John Laird has been appointed as Chairperson of the club.

This is a decision which has been made with the support of both the Morton and Morton Club Together Boards to help move the club forward in a positive direction.

As outlined when appointed to the role of Consultant to the Board, John was born in Greenock and is a successful businessman, with companies involved in both the Energy sector and Sports Management & Events, who has lived in Kilmacolm for the past 27 years.

John is a Morton fan, who has undertaken his coaching badges, and previously held the position of Director of youth at the club, while working alongside the late Douglas Rae. His long relationship with the club goes back to working closely with previous chairman John Wilson and manager Alan McGraw, from 1986 to 1997, where he was involved in the majority of the outgoing transfer deals during that period.

Speaking on the announcement, John wanted to provide the below message:

“I want to start by saying how privileged and honoured I am to become Chairperson of this great football club, Greenock Morton FC.

My role will involve several key duties covering,

1. Providing strong leadership and guidance to the Board of Directors.

2. Leading the Board and focusing it on setting a challenging but achievable strategy vision.

3. Overseeing the business and setting high governance standards.

4. Develop the club and position the club to achieve its goals and objectives.

This is a community club and my vision for it begins with strengthening the connection between you, the supporters, and the leadership of the club. The fans are the heartbeat of all clubs, and you are no different. Communication and teamwork are of paramount importance, and I will be as transparent as I possibly can. Whilst you may not agree with every decision I make; I will always put the interests of the club first.

As Chairperson, I feel it is vital that we follow an ethos that ensures the welfare of all our staff, football and non-football and that the club is open to all regardless of gender, race, nationality, religion and sexual orientation.

All players, coaches, staff, fans and parents will be expected to follow the club code of conduct and also the governing association periodical initiatives.

We are fortunate that many aspects of Greenock Morton FC are in extremely good shape. We currently have and will develop talented and hard-working staff across all departments.

I would like to thank the Board of Directors for their diligence and support throughout the recent few months. I am proud to become Chairperson of this esteemed institution, but I also recognise the significant responsibility that comes with it.

There are undoubtedly challenges that the club face and will face, but I am confident that together we can put solid foundations in place to bring sustainable and long-term success to the club.

I have tremendous respect for the passion and support that MCT and Inverclyde community shows for this club, I believe that connection to the community is the foundation for success of any sports team.

I have always wanted to win in any business or sporting environment that I have been involved in over the last 40 years. I have travelled the world picking up best practice from varying sports and world champions, “We will move forward with an ‘always advance, never retreat” approach that has defined all of my endeavours.

I am committed to working with and calling on advice from the best football / sporting and business minds available to me to enhance player and staff development, facilities, and the fan experience to put Greenock Morton FC in the best possible position to succeed.”