IT’S showtime for Morton as the club prepares to take centre stage in a new play about its 143-year-old history.

Gourock playwright David Carswell has written the comedy drama, which will be on at the Beacon Arts Centre for three nights in September.

It will take fans on a journey through the club’s colourful past from Morton’s formation in 1874 to the present day.

There will also be an accompanying exhibition in the venue’s function suite, overlooking the River Clyde, featuring artefacts, old footage and interviews with Cappielow legends.

Current first team stars Thomas O’Ware, Ricki Lamie and Ton boss Jim Duffy gave the show their backing as they launched ‘Mon Eh Ton!’ with creator David, actor and Morton season ticket holder Chris Gavin and director of photography Andy Samuel, who is from Gourock.

David told the Tele: “It will entertain and educate.

“A lot of people will be surprised by the history involved.

“I found it really interesting, particularly how the success of the team is linked to the success of the town.”

The show covers the history and also the characters of Morton through the decades.

Actor and lifelong Morton fan Chris Gavin plays the role of the ‘ghost of Morton past’ — Shug to his mates.

He said: “There’s that fan who always complains and I take him under my wing and walk him through the decades.

“Forty years I’ve been going to games and I’m a season ticket holder.

“It’s good to be part of the show and it’s a great idea because it tells people who don’t know the whole history of the club everything from the foundations to the modern era.”

The play will feature the highs of promotions and the club’s 1922 Scottish Cup triumph over Rangers at Hampden to the lows of relegation and the dark days of administration in 2000 with the occasional Morton song thrown in.

The exhibition next door will feature old and new interviews with past players.

Former Ton striker and current chief executive Warren Hawke said: “There’s a lot about the club even I don’t know so it’s great to get a commentary on when I was involved as a player and also get an insight into previous years.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing it and I hope other Morton fans come along and enjoy it too.”

For tickets visit www.beaconartscentre.co.uk or call 723723.