CRAIG McPherson says he is thrilled to be able to hand out awards at Gourock Amateurs’ Player of the Year presentation tonight after the club came within 48 hours of folding last summer.

Former midfielder McPherson was 23 when Morton manager Allan McGraw swooped to sign him from the local amateur outfit on October 7 1994.

The current Cappielow assistant boss feels a real affection for the club that he feels acted as a springboard for his senior career and is delighted to have seen them fight back from the brink.

He told the Tele: “I left Gourock YAC 21s and went to Gourock Amateurs under George McMaster, Ian Power, Sammy Jackson and Bidge Clark.

“I was there for a couple of years around about 1992 and 1993 and then signed for Morton when I was 23. Jake Anderson got me a trial and I was fortunate enough to get a deal.

“The standard at amateur was really good and it taught me a lot about looking after yourself on the pitch and playing against grown men. Gourock Amateurs certainly helped me progress and develop.

“I knew they were struggling for a team and financially in recent times. The guys were doing their best, but it’s not straightforward. It costs a lot for parks and buses and training kit.

“Tommy Molloy and Paul Mullin have put a lot of work into it and they’ve slowly but surely built it up and I think they’ve done well this season, so it’s been good to see that.

“It would have been sad for me personally if they hadn’t been able to continue for the future last year, especially having played for them.

“You have always got an affinity and an affection for teams that you played for. It’s part of your football career and I have great memories of my time with Gourock Amateurs.

“So it’s a pleasure to be going back and presenting the awards. I know a couple of boys on the committee very well, Alan Aird and Barry Jackson, and they asked me a while ago.

“I think they were looking for somebody popular but they couldn’t get anybody — so they asked me!”

Gourock manager Tommy Molloy, a former Morton YTS, added: “The club is around 60 years old and I had a couple of pals who played with them and came in and helped out at the end of last season.

“We had 48 hours left to register with the league, with the competition actually starting the following Saturday, August 15.

“There were nine players signed and we managed to get Paul Blair, Phil Cannie, who both played with Morton, and Paul Mullin, who won the Scottish Cup with Kilwinning Rangers, to come in. 

“So it was a case of getting registered, getting a team together and then worrying about results. 

“But we’ve done quite well: we’re sitting fifth in the Central League First Division with two games left.

“Craig MacIver has been affiliated with Gourock for something like 25 years. He’s the assistant now and he’s been different class.

“Chris McEleny and Barry Jackson have dealt with everything to do with sponsors and booking parks so I was just worrying about a Saturday basically. They’ve been a massive help. We’ve now got our presentation tonight at the Royalle Club with Hagi [McPherson] presenting the trophies and everyone has done really, really well to get us to this point.”