SPFL News

With league football just around the corner, excitement is building ahead of SPFL Season 2016/17 kicking off on the 6th of August. We’ve got loads of great content to tell you about so we’d love to keep you informed by sending you emails like these.

New Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will take charge of his first Old Firm match on the 10th of September as they host Mark Warburton’s newly promoted Rangers side.

Both sides have added real quality this summer. It will be interesting to see how the likes of Joey Barton, Kolo Toure, Nico Kranjcar and Moussa Dembele get on in Scotland.

Aberdeen will be looking to build on their second place finish last season when they pushed the Hoops all the way. The Dons have brought in former England squad keeper Joe Lewis and have added attacking guile in Jayden Stockley and Wes Burns.
 
Hearts have strengthened up top also. Bringing in the likes of Tony Watt and Connor Sammon will add real threat to Robbie Neilson’s side.

In the Ladbrokes Championship, new Hibernian boss Neil Lennon has added experienced striker Grant Holt, whilst Falkirk have pulled off one of the signings of the summer by bringing keeper Danny Rogers back on loan from Aberdeen.

Ray McKinnon has completely rebuilt the Dundee United squad. The Terrors have already shown that they mean business with some excellent attacking play during the Betfred Cup Group Stage.

Alloa Athletic are favourites with the bookies to win Ladbrokes League 1, with manager Jack Ross having made a number of impressive signings, including Jim Goodwin and Greig Spence. The Wasps will face strong competition from Livingston, Peterhead and Stranraer.

It looks like being a highly-competitive season in Ladbrokes League 2, with most of the division harbouring hopes of a top-four finish. Clyde boss Barry Ferguson has brought in several new faces, including experienced striker Peter MacDonald, and the Bully Wee are favourites with the bookmakers to take the title.

Sky Sports and BT Sport will continue to screen matches live from the Ladbrokes Premiership. Betfred Cup matches will be brought to you exclusively live on BT Sport. BBC Alba, Premier Sports and S4C will bring you matches live from the IRN-BRU Cup.

You’ll be able to watch every Ladbrokes Premiership goal, along with the best bits from the Championship, League 1 and League 2 on the SPFL YouTube channel.

Supporters should follow the SPFL on Twitter for all the latest news and stats from the league. SPFL Facebook will be the place to be for fantastic archive video content from days gone by in Scottish football.

Cove Rangers v Montrose – Betfred Cup Match Details

Cove Rangers will play host to Montrose at Station Park on Wednesday 27th July in Group D of the Betfred Cup.

The kick-off is at 7.45p.m.

Admission charges are a s follows;-
Ground £10 Concessions £5
Stand £11 Concessions £6

Cove Rangers and Forfar Athletic season tickets are not valid for this fixture.

The Refreshment Kiosk within the ground will be open as usual.

The 1984 Lounge situated at the west end(rear) of the main stand will be open from 6.30p.m. till kick-off.

Supporters of both sides welcome to enjoy a pre-match refreshment.

Match Referee – Mike Taylor

SEASON TICKET HOLDERS PLEASE NOTE...

The Club would like to remind all fans that Season Tickets are NOT valid for Saturday's BETFRED League Cup match against Alloa Athletic.

Season Tickets are only valid for the first home tie in each cup competition.

For those with Ground Entry tickets, normal admission prices will apply, which are £12 Adult and £6 OAP/Under 16's.

WJ members will be required to pay the following on entering the stadium, £15 Adult, £10 OAP, £5 Under 16's.

We thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

BOB MUTCH FIVES RAISES OVER £550 FOR CHARITY

Over 70 players descended on Links Park on Sunday to compete in the second annual Bob Mutch Memorial Charity Five-a-Side competition.

Bob, a familiar and well loved face around Links Park, was a lifelong fan, servant and ambassador of Montrose FC who sadly passed away after a short illness last summer.

A group stage round robin format with 11 teams led to the following play off finals.

The Cup final was won by the Red Devils, who edged out last years winners Merpro 3-2. LPCT beat GSK 5-1 in the Trophy final and the Shield final was won by the Pokemon Masters 2-1 against St Cyrus. Completing events, Lochside got the better of Banterlona, narrowly winning the Plate final 3-2.

Trophies and medals were presented by Bob's widow Lily Mutch and the £556 raised will go to the Dementia units at the Montrose Day Care Centre and Dorward House, local good causes selected by Lily.

Lily said, "A huge thanks to all those who turned up today. Bob would have loved to have seen everyone enjoying themselves and playing on his beloved Links Park."

FLURRY OF SIGNINGS AT LINKS PARK

Montrose FC have bolstered their squad ahead of the Betfred League Cup opener against Ross County on Saturday with the signing of Paul Watson, Chris Hegarty, Ross Lennie and Gregor Anderson.

Paul Watson returns for another year after an injury riddled 2015/16 season. Captaining the Gable Endies at the start of last term the 30 year old picked up a groin injury after only 6 games that required two separate operations and the remainder of the campaign to clear up. Always keen to retain the midfielder, Manager Paul Hegarty just required Watson to prove his fitness during pre-season training, which he has now successfully done to the delight of everyone associated with the Club.

Watson said, “I am delighted to be able to put my injury behind me and get back playing football again. The squad is shaping up nicely and I am really looking forward to the season ahead.”

Making a return to the Mighty Mo is former fans favourite, Chris Hegarty, who has signed a one year deal. The 31 year spent over 3 years at the Club from 2008-11, making 90 appearances and scoring 6 goals. The experienced fullback began his career at Dundee as a youth before spells at Peterhead and Arbroath. Leaving Links Park in 2011, Chris moved to Forfar Athletic and most recently spent time at Highland League outfit Buckie Thistle. And if the name didn’t give it away, the family resemblance most definitely will, meaning Chris will be taking orders from the dugout from his father Paul.

Blending youth with experience, Hegarty has also signed two youngsters from the Junior ranks, both on 6 month deals. 20 year old midfielder Ross Lennie joins from Bathgate Thistle, having previously been on the books at East Fife and 21 year old defender Gregor Anderson joins from Tayport. Gregor, who won Young Player of the Year with Dalbeattie Star in 2015, left the Lowland League outfit last summer when he moved away to begin studying at Abertay University.

The Club have also confirmed that Ross McCord, who signed from Alloa Athletic in 2013, will not be offered a new contract and Jamie Clarke, who signed from Arbroath on a contract until next summer has left the Club due to new work commitments. The Club thank both players for their services and wish them the very best for the future.

This brings Hegarty's squad for the coming season to 20 following the recent signing of goalkeeper Jordan Millar and the departure of Jamie Clarke.

Our photo shows Ross Lennie, Paul Watson and Chris Hegarty with Assistant Manager John Holt.