Supporters backed the club in a different way at the weekend as they swapped their strips for overalls to spruce up the stadium in time for the start of the Ladbrokes Championship campaign when Jim Duffy’s men will welcome the likes of Rangers, Hibernian and arch-rivals St Mirren.

Keen to make an impression on the away support and welcome first-time visitors to Cappielow, fans gave up their time on Saturday and Sunday to carry out some DIY jobs around the ground and give the place a lick of paint.

Armed with brushes, rollers and dust sheets, around a dozen diehards volunteered on Saturday with a further six helping out the following day.

The fans’ ‘groundforce’ was organised by supporter Darren Strutt after he suggested it on an online forum.

Morton fanatic Gavin McIntosh, 26, who is an electrician for Renfrewshire Council, said: “It was a good turnout considering it was only mentioned on the forum.

“There’s a lot of work to be done but it’s a start and it’s good to see so many turning up. It’s important to make sure Cappielow is looking nice for new fans coming to the stadium for the first time and for opposition fans who will bring a larger crowd. I’m a season ticket holder but it was great to give up my time and do something else for the club.

“It was a good way to support the club and something I could do because I’m a tradesman to some extent.” Work took place in the Cowshed, the Sinclair Street end and other parts of the ground in need of some TLC.

Supporters turned up at 10am and worked through until 5pm carrying out jobs, including sanding down rusted barriers and railings before repainting them.

The group of volunteers included four high school pupils who gave up their entire weekend to support the Ton.

Ton man Gavin, who lives in Paisley, said: “The young boys — only in third year of high school — were absolutely fantastic and gave up their full weekend.

“There was a good turnout and everybody was really friendly and hopefully this weekend we can get an even better turnout and more work done. It was a good day and a good laugh.” Fans are planning to continue their Cappielow crusade on Thursday night from 5pm and again at the weekend starting at 10am.