NEW Morton director Ross Gourdie believes his business background and experience coaching in Scotland and the USA will be a big benefit as he returns to Cappielow.

The former youth academy coach at the Greenock club now has a boardroom role as part of the recently-announced six-figure sum partnership with stadium sponsors Dalrada Technology UK.

Gourdie, who is now based with them in San Diego California, has been given the responsibility of overseeing the new sponsorship but hopes his experience in the game will bring footballing knowledge as well as business acumen.

He told the Tele: "I have always had connections with Morton, from back in 2014 I was one of the youth academy coaches for many years and head of the children’s programme working alongside Derek Anderson.

"I think I can bring a bit of footballing knowledge, I have done a few of coaching courses and have my UEFA B licence.

"It's nothing compared to the likes of Dougie [Imrie] or Derek and their pro licences but hopefully it will bring a bit of help to boardroom meetings, along with my background in business.

"I have been in a lot of managerial roles in my usual day to day employment in my business in California, so hopefully I bring something to the board from a business aspect and also a footballing one."

Gourdie believes the Dalrada sponsorship deal that was announced last month involving his father-in-law Brian Bonar will help the club grow on and off the park.

But he insists everyone connected with the Ton must be patient for the plans to fall into place.

He said: "Dalrada is quite a big company already but is going to get even bigger, with some of the work we have got planned.

"It's not just a UK company, it is a worldwide one.

"We have got manufacturing plants and offices based all over the United States, but also in the Livingston and Edinburgh area, so it is a huge multi-million pound company.

"Hopefully we can keep that connection going with Morton, not just this year but carry it through the next few seasons if all goes well."

Gourdie says the exciting new link between the firm and Ton is already going in the right direction and making a difference.

He said: "We can see that the money that we are putting in is going to the right places.

"I suppose I am on the board to keep an eye on that and make sure the money is used wisely, and report back to Dalrada.

"The money that they are putting in could go towards some exciting projects, such as the stadium, expanding hospitality possibly, and some other revenue ideas that can maybe bring in a little bit more cash which in turn hopefully brings more towards the manager’s transfer kitty.

"We have got a lot of plans in the pipeline, the directors know what is needed.

"It is going to take time and fans need to be patient, but hopefully they can see that we are taking baby steps towards the ultimate goal - which is to see better players coming into Morton and an even better product on the park which in turn will hopefully bring more fans through the gates."

Gourdie has ties with a local side in the USA and he wants to bring some of their ideas across to benefit Morton.

He said: "When the deal came up I was excited and thought we could change a few things, the ideas were already in my head about how we can help.

"One thing I have learned out here in the States is the Americans know how to sell sport very well.

"They know how to sell a sporting product, especially the media and social media side of it, the marketing.

"I have got links to a local football club here called San Diego Loyal, which is a local team in the USL league and I know a few of the directors on that board.

"I can see where they are going with things, and how they market their club.

"One thing the Americans are good at is they do know how to make money through sport and hopefully I can bring some of that success and ideas to Morton."