MONTROSE FOOTBALL CLUB
Playing Squad Pen Pictures Season 2007/08

As at Monday 19th February 2008

MARK PEAT (Goalkeeper)
Mark joined Montrose in May 2007 from neighbours Arbroath for whom he made 40 appearances for last season. Rated by many as the best goalkeeper in the third division manager Jim Weir was delighted to get his signature. Mark started his career with Aberdeen before moving to Arbroath making his debut during the 2003/04 season. He then left Gayfield and had spells with Albion Rovers and Forfar Athletic before returning to Arbroath in August 2005. Peat is a solid and consistent performer. Age 24.


STUART McKENZIE (Goalkeeper)
19-year-old Stuart joined Montrose in January 2007 from Inverness Caledonian Thistle after a successful trial at the club. He started his career with Elgin City before his move to Inverness in early 2006. After leaving the Caledonian Stadium he played in goal for the Montrose Under 19 side. Stuart made his Montrose debut against East Stirlingshire on 7th April and then played in the remaining three matches, where he was on the winning side on three occasions.


STUART CUMMING (Right back)
Montrose pulled off a major coup last summer when they persuaded Stuart to move to Links Park after two seasons with Elgin City. The right back or right-sided midfielder joined Elgin City in the summer of 2004 from Blackburn Rovers after being a trainee at the club. He made over 70 appearances during his time at Borough Briggs. Good going forward and solid in the tackle. Made over 30 appearances for Montrose last season in a variety of positions. Age 22.


DARRYN KELLY (Right back/Centre half)
Darryn moved to Links Park in February 2006 from Elgin City and made a number of appearances at the tail end of last season. Spent the majority of last season playing in the Under 19 side and had a spell on loan to Banks O' Dee before forcing his way into the side under Jim Weir. Darryn is a tough character who is strong in the air and solid in the tackle. Won the Montrose FC Young Player of the Year trophy for 2006/07. Age 19.



ROSS GARDINER (Left back)
Had spells on trial with both Peterhead and Brechin City before joining Montrose in late July 2007 from Dundee United from whom he was released in the summer. Ross started his career with Aberdeen before moving to Tannadice in 2003. He never made an appearance in the United first team but did have a spell on loan to Arbroath last season and played against the Gable Endies. Ross is the son of former Dundee United goalkeeper and Inverurie Locos manager John, who played once as a trialist in the Montrose first team in at Hampden Park in the late eighties after a suspension to David Larter. Age 20.

STEPHEN THOMSON (Left back/Centre half)
Stephen joined Montrose in July 2007 after a successful pre season trial with the club. He started his career with Blackburn Rovers as a trainee but was released earlier this year. Thomson spent three years at Ewood Park, but after making his mark in Rovers' academy side he failed to establish himself in the reserve team last season. Comfortable on the ball he is a versatile player who can play either as a wing back, centre half or midfield player. Age 19.


CHRIS McLEOD (Centre half)
Chris joined Montrose in May 2006 from second division Raith Rovers and had a good first season at the club winning the Directors Player of the Year award in what was a difficult year. He started his career with Rangers before spending part of season 2003/04 on loan at Morton where he made 5 appearances. He joined Morton on a permanent basis before joining Arbroath for season 2004/05. Chris made over 30 appearances for Arbroath that season before moving to Raith Rovers in the summer of 2005. He is a big strong powerful central defender. Age 23.

KEVIN McGOWNE (Centre half)
Kevin joined Montrose in May 2007 as player/assistant manager from Premier League St Mirren for whom he was club captain. Kevin made over 20 appearances in the Premier League last season before falling out of favour at Love Street. The 37 year old is a vastly experienced player he started his career with St Mirren in the late eighties when he joined them from junior side Hurlford United. He then moved to St Johnstone in 1992 and after that had a four-year spell with Kilmarnock where he played in a number of European ties as well as winning a Scottish Cup medal in 1997. He then joined Dundee United in 2002 but after only 13 appearances his six-month Tayside sojourn he moved back West and signed for Partick Thistle. It was in July 2003 he rejoined St Mirren and led them back to the Premier League. Age 37

HUGH DAVIDSON (Midfield)
A right-sided midfield player who was signed in January 2006 from neighbours Arbroath. Hugh started his career with Dundee United and progressed into their first team after being a schoolboy signing. Has been capped for Scotland at Under 21 level. After leaving Tannadice Hugh had spells with Raith Rovers (loan), Stirling Albion and Forfar Athletic before moving to Gayfield in the summer of 2005. He has been a versatile player at Links Park playing on the right and left flanks as well as in central midfield. Hugh has made over 40 appearances for the club. Age 26.

JAY STEIN (Midfield)
Jay became one of a selected band to have played for all four Angus clubs when he joined Montrose in May 2007 from Arbroath having previously had spells with Brechin City and Forfar Athletic. Jay is a tricky winger who joined Arbroath in August 2005 and had some good matches against Montrose in his time at Gayfield. He likes to take defenders on and whips in troublesome crosses. The most entertaining player in the squad with a host of tricks in his armoury, he never ceases to amaze with the ball skills at his disposal. His creative play will help carve open opposing defences this season. Cowdenbeath based Jay started his career with Raith Rovers before having spells with East Fife and Stenhousemuir before his move into Angus. Age 26.

JOHN MAITLAND (Midfield)
John joined Montrose last summer from Inverurie club Colony Boys Club and his form over the year has seen him move from the Under 17's side through to the first team. He made his first team debut as a substitute against East Stirlingshire in April 2007 and he made a further appearance before the season's end. Manager Jim Weir handed him a professional contract in the summer after his good showings in pre season. Still only 17. Lives in Inverurie.

STEVEN DORIS (Midfield)
Steven is on loan to Montrose until the end of the year from St Johnstone. The 19 year old forward made his Montrose debut in the 3 – 1 away victory over Albion Rovers at the end of October as a substitute. Perth born Steven came onto the ground staff at St Johnstone in the summer of 2005 having played a significant role in the Under 19’s league championship success. He made his St Johnstone debut as a substitute at Stranraer on 26th November 2005.


KEITH GIBSON (Midfield)
Dundee based Keith is now in his second spell at Links Park having returned in November 2006 from Peterhead firstly on loan before the move became a two year deal in January 2007. He originally joined Montrose in the summer of 2003 from Dundee after completing a successful loan spell with East Fife. His powerful midfield runs and goalscoring caught the attention of Peterhead and he moved in Balmoor in May 2005. After traveling difficulties arose Keith was placed on the transfer list and he was quickly back at Links Park. Will be a valuable player this season. Age 26.

CHRIS HEGARTY (Midfield)
Chris joined Montrose on transfer deadline day in January 2008 from neighbours for an undisclosed fee. Versatile player Chris can play either as a full back or in midfield. The son of former Dundee United player and manager Paul, he started his career with Dundee for whom he appeared in the first team for. He moved to Peterhead in July 2005 before his arrival at Gayfield in the summer. Made his Montrose debut against Albion Rovers on 2nd February 2008. Age 23

STEPHEN BLACK (Midfield)
Stephen returned to Links Park for a second spell in November after leaving in March to join American side Rochester Rhinos who play in the league below the MLS. He originally arrived at Links Park in January 2007 from Kansas City Wizards and made 7 + 1 appearances scoring four times before returning to the States. Has been signed as an amateur. Stephen started his career with Hibs and has also had a spell with Elgin City. He can play on either flank or in the centre of midfield.

JAMIE BUCHAN (Midfield)
Joined Montrose in February 2008 from Peterhead where he had spent the last four years. Jamie started his career with Aberdeen in the mid nineties. He then gained Scotland U21 caps before he moved down the coast to play with Dundee United. He found his form at Tannadice and was a regular in the side under Alex Smith. He fellout of favour at Dundee United early in the 2001/2002 season and never played for the Arabs again. Jamie then had a year with Partick Thistle before red tape held up a move to Stockport County. After leaving the English side he joined Peterhead in July 2004. A class act Jamie can play anywhere in defence or his preferred midfield role. Age 30


JOHN BAIRD  (Forward)
John arrived at Montrose on loan from St Mirren in March 2007 and his five goals in nine appearances saw Jim Weir move quickly to make the deal permanent in May 2007. He is a great goal poacher as he demonstrated with his four goals in the final four matches of the season. What he lacks he height John certainly makes up for in ability in and around the box. He had a spell on loan with Stenhousemuir earlier in season 2006/07 when he scored six times. He has also played with Clyde. Age 21.

PHIL REID (Forward)
Joined Montrose in February 2006 from Elgin City. Phil started his career with Motherwell but was released by the Fir Park side when they went into administration. David Robertson took him to Borough Briggs in July 2004 and he was a regular first team player. Phil is a Scottish Under 18 internationalist. Had a spell on loan to local junior side Montrose Roselea last season. Currently on loan to Cove Rangers. Age 20.



PAUL STEWART (Forward)
`Tiny' joined Montrose in the summer of 2006 from Albion Rovers and played mainly in the Under 19 side but his form didn't go unnoticed and he made his league debut as a substitute against Queen's Park in November. Paul went on to make a further six substitute appearances as well as making his full debut against Dumbarton in April. A fast tricky wee player who finished the season as top goalscorer for the under 19 side. Ex-Hibernian. Age 19.


GARRY WOOD (Forward)
Garry joined Montrose on a six month loan deal from Premier League Inverness Caledonian Thistle prior to the start of the season and made his debut in the opening fixture against Albion Rovers. He scored his first goals for the club in the 5 - 1 victory over Stirling Albion in the Challenge Cup. The 19 year old had been in good form for Caley pre season and scored twice. Garry has family tie in the area with his family coming from St Cyrus his Dad Johnny being a coach of the Under 17 side at Links Park. Big strong and skillful forward. He has previously been with Elgin City as a skillseeker.


RODDY HUNTER (Forward)
Roddy was signed the day after Andy Rodgers departure to East Stirlingshire from Division Three rivals Albion Rovers for an undisclosed fee. His 13 goals in only twenty matches persuaded Jim Weir to splash out for the Cumbernauld based player. Roddy first came to light for Rovers scoring against Montrose on the opening day of the 2007/2008 season while listed as a trialist. Before his move to Links Park he also scored four goals in an eight nil thumping of Burntisland Shipyard in the Scottish Cup. He started his career with Ayr United before spending two seasons with Clyde in the First Division for whom he once scored four times in a match at Stranraer for. Deadly in and around the penalty box, Roddy scored his first goals for Montrose in a 3 – 1 home win over Dumbarton after coming on as a substitute. Age 23


FRASER McLAREN (Forward)
Fraser joined Montrose on loan from Gretna in January 2008 and made his debut as a substitute against Stenhousemuir on January 19th. He started his career with Livingston going through the youth system there before his move to Raydale Park. The Scottish Youth internationalist is a pacey player who can play down either flank or through the middle. Age 19.