UNCOVERED — Cove Rangers v Queen's Park 12.02.22

Cove Rangers v Queen’s Park cinch League One

12.02.22 — 3pm KO

Cove Rangers v Albion Rovers

SPFL Trust Trophy

09.10.21 — 3pm KO

BALMOR AL GROUP Proud sponsors of BALMORAL STADIUM

Balmoral Comtec Balmoral Tanks Balmoral Business Park ACE Winches BLAZE Manufacturing Solutions Friends of ANCHOR www.balmoral-group.com

02 03

— Contents Cove Rangers FC Matchday Programme Queen’s Park: 12.02.22 — 3pm KO Match sponsor

Matchball sponsor

Features

AIRDRIEONIANS REPORT KAI FOTHERINGHAM INTERVIEW RAY CHARLES INTERVIEW Regulars Upcoming fixtures

04

Club information

06

Club partners

33

View from the dugout

34

Player and Management sponsorship

38

Season 2021/22 statistics

40

Captain’s view

44

Club honours

48

Today’s team lines

49

08 18 24

— Upcoming fixtures

H Sat 19th Feb, 2022

Cove Rangers v Falkirk

cinch League One

A Sat 26th Feb, 2022

Alloa Athletic v Cove Rangers

cinch League One

H Tue 1st Mar, 2022

Cove Rangers v Queen of the South

SPFL Trust Trophy

H Sat 5th Mar, 2022

Cove Rangers v Peterhead

cinch League One

— League table cinch League One

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

Cove Rangers

24

15

6

3

47

22

25

51

Airdrieonians

24

13

5

6

40

28

12

44

Montrose

24

11

10

3

39

20

19

43

Queen’s Park

23

7

13

3

38

24

14

34

Falkirk

24

9

5

10

36

36

0

32

Clyde

24

7

9

8

29

39

-10

30

Alloa Athletic

24

5

6

11

30

40

-10

25

Peterhead

23

6

6

11

29

34

-5

24

Dumbarton

24

6

5

12

33

49

-16

23

East Fife

24

3

6

15

21

50

-29

15

50/50 WINNER! The 50/50 winner at the Airdrieonians match was 101836, won by Mike Megginson.

04 05

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Become a fan

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– Club information

Cove Rangers FC Balmoral Stadium Wellington Circle, Altens Aberdeen, AB12 3JG

T 01224 392111 F 01224 392859 coverangersfc.com Twitter / Facebook / Instagram @coverangersfc

Honorary President Alan McRae Directors Keith Moorhouse - Chairman Graeme Reid - Vice Chairman/Financial Controller Duncan Little - Secretary/Stadium Manager John Sheran - Director of Football Darren Anderson Grant Moorhouse Safety Officers John Morgan & Bill Ogilvie Committee Michael Coull, Richard Forbes & Gordon Taylor Football Manager - Paul Hartley

Assistant Manager - Gordon Young Fitness Coach - Tam Ritchie

06 07

Goalkeeping Coach - Derek Soutar

Head of Youth Development - Gary Hake Performance Analyst - Ryan Docherty

Physios - Donal Gallacher & Eilidh McGregor Kit Manager - Adrian Thomson Club Doctor - David Fowler

Commercial Manager - Angela Bruce Media Officer - Charlie Allan

Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer - Kate Dean Club Chaplain - Dougie Simpson

Club Photographers - Dave Cowe, Richard Forbes

Search ‘Get Sky Sports’ Sky Sports available on Sky Glass or with compatible Sky Q or + box. Requires Ultimate TV Subscription (currently £26pcm). Further terms apply. Over 400 games: based on 128 Premier League games; 228 English Football League games (includes 80 red button matches); up to 48 Scottish Professional Football League games; and up to 44 Women’s Super League matches shown across the football season from 31 July 2021 to 29 May 2022.

AIRDRIEONIANS 1 COVE RANGERS 1 cinch League One Sat February 5th @ Balmoral Stadium

08 09

— Airdrieonians Match Report

COVE MAINTAIN 7 Point lead Harry Milne’s first goal of the season was one of the many highlights of what was a cracking cinch League One encounter against the Diamonds.

Callum Smith replied in the second half, with both sides rattling the woodwork in an enthralling 90 minutes that proved excellent entertainment for the 875 fans inside Balmoral Stadium.

We had by far the better of the first half – and scoring opportunities – but the full-timers from Lanarkshire came back strongly in the latter stages, so a share of the spoils seemed fair. The draw at least keeps us seven points clear of Airdrie, but we had to work for the right to remain in that position.

We set the tone from the off and were desperately unlucky not to go ahead inside the first five minutes.

Rory McAllister broke into Airdrie area, on the left, and managed to smuggle the ball past advancing keeper Max Currie, but then saw his shot from a tight angle deflected wide into the side netting by an Airdrie defender.

>>>

10 11

— Airdrieonians Match Report

12 13

Fraser Fyvie took the resulting corner and Currie only just managed to punch the ball away from the head of Morgyn Neill at the back post to concede another corner. Iain Vigurs took that one, from the right and Neill was desperately unlucky to see his effort from eight yards rebound to safety off the Airdrie crossbar.

Our early pressure paid off when we took the lead in the seventh minute – and it was a cracker! Mark Reynolds spotted Milne making a break down the left, so fed the ball out to him. Milne then skipped past two defenders before playing a quick one-two with McAllister and then showed great composure to guide a right foot shot beyond the reach of Currie from 14-yards.

We were just inches away from making it 2-0 in the 14th minute, after Milne had played a great ball through to Fyvie. The midfielder managed to get past the advancing Currie and then saw his net bound shot hooked clear by Brody Paterson, just before the ball crossed the line.

Rhys McCabe almost scored a spectacular equaliser for Airdrie in the 16th minute. He tried his luck from a free-kick just inside his own half and Stuart McKenzie was forced to back-track before managing to touch the ball over his crossbar.

Play swept to the other end and Fyvie saw his close range shot blocked by Currie after McAllister and Mitch Megginson had combined well to get the ball to him.

It was Airdrie’s turn to rattle the woodwork in the 20th minute, when the lively McCabe saw his lob from the edge of the area bounce clear to safety off the crossbar. Within a minute, McCabe’s free-kick was knocked into the path of Scott Agnew and his powerful 18-yard shot went inches over the bar.

McKenzie then deflected a Dylan Easton shot wide of his right post as the visitors maintained the pressure.

— Airdrieonians Match Report

Our next attack was started by Milne, who crossed for Megginson to scoop a first time shot high over the Airdrie goal. Milne, who was voted man-of-thematch by sponsors AG Sports Brand – broke forward again in in the 35th minute to hit a low shot that was held by Currie.

We began the second half strongly too. There were only 28 seconds on the clock when Scott Ross fed the ball down the right to Blair Yule and his low cross only just evaded McAllister as it sped across the face of the Airdrie goal.

Milne sent in yet another fine cross that led to Currie managing to save a Megginson shot with his legs.

We shook the Airdrie crossbar for a second time in the 52nd minute.

McAllister’s free-kick from the just outside the angle of the 18-yard box, on the left, had Currie beaten, but rebounded to safety off the face of the crossbar.

It was breathtaking stuff, with McKenzie called into action again on the hour, when he saved Agnew’s 20-yard free-kick.

Josh Kerr made a great last gasp clearance in the 62nd minute, to stop McAllister scoring from a brilliant Blair Yule cross.

Milne was a constant threat from his runs down the left and his next cross was going to Fyvie at the back post until Easton knocked the ball behind for a corner.

>>>

14 15

— Airdrieonians Match Report

Airdrie equalised in the 73rd minute when McCabe played a pass through to Smith and he gave McKenzie no chance with a powerful finish from 16-yards.

Within a minute, Megginson hit a 25-yard shot that was held by Currie. Airdrie responded with Smith breaking clear to force McKenzie to make another decent save from his shot from inside the area.

The action was non-stop and McAllister was unlucky to see his shot from an Iain Vigurs cross deflected wide in the 77th minute.

There were nervy moments at both ends in the latter stages, but it seemed appropriate that a game that had lived up to its match-of-the-day billing finished with the sides sharing the points.

16 17

Cove Rangers: McKenzie, Neill, Milne, Scully, Ross, Yule, Megginson, McAllister (Fotheringham 81), Vigurs, Fyvie (Masson 81), Reynolds.

Subs: Strachan, McIntosh, Anderson, Adeyemo, Leitch, Gourlay.

Airdrieonians: Currie, Macdonald, Paterson, Kerr, McCabe, Fordyce, Frizzell, Easton, Agnew, Allan (Gallagher 59), Smith (McGill 75).

Subs: Cantley, Walker, Ritchie, McDonald, Watson.

Referee: Barry Cook.

— Kai Fotheringham Interview

27 Kai Fotheringham came off the bench to make his debut for us in the 1-1 cinch League One draw with Airdrieonians at Balmoral Stadium.

The 18-year-old attacker has joined us on loan from Dundee United, following in the footsteps of Tannadice team-mates Declan Glass, Ross Graham and Archie Meekison, who also enjoyed loan spells with us over the last couple of seasons.

>>>

18 19

— Kai Fotheringham Interview

Did you enjoy being involved against Airdrie?

Very much so, I appreciated the gaffer giving me the chance to get on so soon after joining the club. The target now is to see if I can get more game time, because I know I’m a bit short of being back to full fitness at the moment.

You can do as much running and training as you want, but it’s actually playing it games that gets you to the levels you need to be at if you want to be a regular in this Cove team.

You had been sidelined by an ankle injury before joining us, so how are you now?

It’s just great to feel fit and to be back playing. Ask any player and they will say it’s horrible being injured. You have to work a lot on your own to stay fit, which can be quite hard at times. You get a huge lift when you are finally able to step back on to the training pitch.

As I said, I’m still not at the stage where I want to be as far as match fitness goes. Hopefully that will improve over the next few weeks, but I know there are no guarantees I will get that at Cove, it’s something I accept I will need to earn.

When you see Cove playing it’s clear everyone is performing out of their skins in an effort to keep their places in the team. I know I’m going to have to do the same if I’m to have any chance of getting games, but it’s a challenge I’m happy to take on.

The opportunity to maybe play alongside guys like Iain Vigurs, Fraser Fyvie, Rory McAllister and the others who have achieved so much in the game is a huge incentive. I know it would be good for me to be out on the pitch alongside them because they will use their experience to help me - and help me improve as a player.

>>>

20 21

“ When you see Cove playing it’s clear everyone is performing out of their skins in an effort to keep their places in the team.”

— Kai Fotheringham Interview

22 23

Did you speak to Declan, Ross and Archie before agreeing to join us on loan?

Yes, it was the natural thing to do. They spoke really highly of the gaffer, Gordon Young and of the other guys at Cove.

They have all gone on to do well at United after being here, so I’m hoping it will be the same for me. Declan in particular has done brilliantly, including scoring a spectacular goal against Hibs.

I know he did the same when he was at Cove - he scored a few crackers in his time - so it would be great if I could make a similar contribution. I’m well aware that the better I do during my time at Cove the more it will enhance my chances of progressing with United.

You have also spent spells on loan to Falkirk and Raith Rovers, what do young players such as yourself think of the loan system?

That they are a vital part of helping us get to where we want to be in the game.

United’s loans manager Brian Grant (the former Aberdeen midfielder) is brilliant with all of the young players at

Tannadice. He speaks to us all of the time and tells us what is expected of us during the spells we are out on loan.

Brian made it clear how much he admired Paul Hartley and also spoke glowing about how well Cove Rangers look after loan players while they are at the club. That was the biggest thing that persuaded me to come here, knowing United have a good relationship with Cove and that I will get the opportunity to play games if I work hard enough.

Former United captain Mark Reynolds joined us a couple of weeks ago, has it helped having him already at Balmoral Stadium?

Big style, Mark has always been good to me, from the very first time I was asked to do pre-season training with the first team at United. He is excellent with younger players, he gives you lots of support and encouragement, so it was a comfort to see him in the dressing room on my first day with Cove.

That has helped me to settle in a lot faster than might have been expected.

— Ray Charles Interview

RAY C

24 25

CHARLES Former goalkeeper Ray Charles spent two decades with Cove Rangers, winning Highland League titles as a player and as a coach.

We asked Ray, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday, to look back on his career and share his thoughts on the man who is currently first choice keeper at the club, Stuart McKenzie.

>>>

— Ray Charles Interview

Image courtesy of DC Thomson Media

26 27

You were one of the best keepers of your day, so how do you rate Stuart McKenzie?

I’ve known Stuart for many years now, I was on the coaching staff when he first joined Cove Rangers and he has done a brilliant job. People might find it hard to believe now, but he was actually a wee bit too quiet for his own good when he came to the club. That meant Lee Windrum, our Irish keeper who was totally the opposite, tended to be chosen before Stuart at that time. He never complained though, Stuart continued to work hard at training to make sure he was ready to step in when the chance arose.

I really enjoyed the time coaching him and I’m delighted he has gone on to enjoy so much success in his career. He helped Cove win a host of honours at Highland League level and has also played a huge part in their climb up the SPFL to League One. Stuart has looked after himself really well so, even at the age of 34, I can see him carrying on for a good few years.

What do you see as Stuart’s main assets as a goalkeeper?

His sheer presence is an important one. Stuart is a big lad, he has bulked up from the time when we signed him as a youngster, so he commands his area, especially at set pieces.

His kicking, whether from hand or on the deck, is incredible too. It is a real asset when you want to be more direct with attacks. It was no surprise to see Stuart scoring with a long kick-out against Peterhead, I’m surprised it doesn’t happen more often because it’s amazing how far he can hit a football.

>>>

— Ray Charles Interview

Raymond Charles and John Sheran (second right, back row) in their Montrose days.

28 29

Stuart has recorded the most clean sheets so far this season in League One (12 in 19 appearances). You were a keeper who specialised in clean sheets, with a record 20 in 39 games to help Montrose win the old Second Division title in season 1984-85.

How important is that as we bid to continue our good form in the league?

Huge because the more clean sheets you get the more confident a team becomes.

And it stands to reason that if you aren’t conceding goals you won’t be too far away when it comes to winning titles.

The run of clean sheets was crucial to what we achieved at Montrose, but I would never claim all the credit for that. I was fortunate we were never bothered too much by injuries, we had a small squad of about 15 or 16 players that season. That meant I had virtually the same back four all season - Chic McLelland, Ronnie Cusiter, John Sheran and Les Barr.

John was the leader of that pack, his will to win is something else and he inspired everyone around him to always give their

best. He was also a far better centre-back than he’s given credit for. We had seven clean sheets in a row at one stage and I had very little to do because John and the guys beside him were simply incredible.

I’m sure Stuart would be the first to credit his defenders for the part they have played in recording those clean sheets this season.

Cove have been less fortunate when it comes to team selection this season and have been forced to chop and change at the back a lot more than Montrose did. It’s a testament to the quality of the players they have that they have managed do as well as they have so far.

I was at their recent 1-0 win over Montrose at Balmoral Stadium. That one was definitely down to their strength at the back, I was really impressed by how hard the whole team worked to ensure Montrose hardly had a shot at Stuart.

I’m delighted for Stuart to see he has recorded so many clean sheets. But I’m happy to remind him he is still a wee bit short of that record 20 I managed to rack up all those years ago - over to you Stuart!

>>>

— Ray Charles Interview

You signed for Cove Rangers as a player in in the summer of 1994, how did that come about?

You were the keeper when we won our first Highland League title, in 2001. What are your memories of that?

There is actually an interesting story about that. East Fife had just sacked manager Alex Totten, who I got on with really well. It was clear Stevie Archibald was taking over and I just didn’t fancy playing for him. Kenny Taylor, who was the manager at Cove, asked if I fancied having a go with them. I had played my entire career in the Scottish League, but just thought ‘why not?’

I was 40 by then, so it was amazing to actually pick up a league winners’ medal.

Bob Summers was the manager and we had a cracking team, full of strong characters.

I managed to sort things out before Archibald actually took charge and he was absolutely raging. It was all done though, so there was no going back.

Do you remember anything about your debut game?

Yes, it was in a Scottish Cup tie against Golspie Sutherland. I was really nervous because I knew there would be a lot of interest in how I did because I had moved from playing in the Scottish League to the Highland League. Thankfully, we won 9-0 and I think I touched the ball twice in the whole 90 minutes!

I like to think that league win played a big part in helping Cove Rangers get to where they are today because it ended up being the first of many and helped to attract a lot of good players to the club.

You chose to retire not long after that and became the club’s goalkeeping coach, did you enjoy that role?

I loved it. Bob Summers is the one I have to thank for pushing me down that route.

He allowed me to coach the other keepers at Cove and I found In really enjoyed it.

I worked with some really good keepers, including Stuart, Ian Thain and Marc Coull, who was a tremendous shot stopper.

30 31

You were on the coaching staff when we won back-to-back league titles between 2007-2009, what are your memories of that?

John Sheran was the manager by then, with Graeme Park as his assistant and we worked really well together. It means a lot to be able to say I won titles with Cove as a player and a coach. I really enjoyed my 20 years at the club.

I worked with some great players who have since become close friends. There was also a real family feel about the club, which I think remains to this day.

It’s great to see Cove where they are now, pushing to get into the Championship.

When I joined the club in 1994, Alan McRae (then our chairman, now our honorary president) was already speaking about plans to build a new stadium and stepping up into the SPFL. They have always been very ambitious and Keith Moorhouse has continued to push them on since taking over from Alan. I would love to see them get promoted again this season, it would be an astonishing achievement when you considered they were a Highland League side not so long ago.

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— Club partners

Principal Club Partner

Principal Stadium Partner

Official Club Partners

32 33

— View from the dugout

PAUL HARTL One thing we can be sure of when we play Queen’s Park this afternoon is that we are in for a really tough game.

Our last meeting at Balmoral Stadium was certainly that, with us finding ourselves 2-1 down then going ahead before the match ended 3-3.

I fully expect this afternoon’s encounter to be along similar lines because our pitch is suited to the way we both like to play the game.

Our hope, of course, is that we can do enough to ensure we maintain the lead we have at the top of cinch League One, but we accept that won’t be easy. We are into what is commonly described as the business end of the season, with 12 huge league games ahead of us.

Every side we come against will be as desperate as we are to take all three points, so you have to be on your game from the off. It’s about having the right mentality and finding ways to win, even on days when perhaps we aren’t playing at our very best.

34 35

LEY

>>>

— View from the dugout

>>> The encouraging thing is the players have done just that on countless occasions already in the campaign. There have been times when we won playing open, attacking, football.

But there have also been days when it was all about scrapping and fighting to get what we wanted. Those will be valuable attributes as we attempt to bring our season to a positive conclusion. It’s good that we have been able to make additions to the squad to help us cope with the challenges ahead.

Injuries and suspensions took their toll at the tale end of last season, but the arrival of Mark Reynolds and Kai Fotheringham means we have more depth to the squad this time around.

We were already defensively strong, but adding someone as talented and experienced to the group as Mark is a huge boost in a league that is packed with players who could easily still be performing at much higher levels. Kai also gives us a different option further forward because of his pace and direct style.

I’m hoping we might be able to make at least one more addition because we know strength in numbers is going to be vital in the weeks ahead.

Enjoy the game.

Paul Hartley

36 37

“ We are into what is commonly described as the business end of the season, with 12 huge league games ahead of us”

— Player and management sponsorship

MANAGEMENT Paul Hartley

Gordon Young

Tam Ritchie

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

GOALKEEPERS Stuart McKenzie

Kyle Gourlay

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

DEFENDERS Harry Milne

Scott Ross

Ryan Strachan

LOCAL , NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ROAD HAULAGE

ABERDEEN 01224 – 781698 WWW.MGSLOGISTICS.CO.UK

Jevan Anderson

Shay Logan

Morgyn Neill

Mark Reynolds

38 39

MIDFIELDERS

Fraser Fyvie

Connor Scully

Blair Yule

Jamie Masson

Iain Vigurs

Robbie Leitch

Kai Fotheringham

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

FORWARDS Mitchel Megginson

Leighton McIntosh

Rory McAllister

Ola Adeyemo

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

CRFC offer excellent advertising opportunities to organisations who are looking to share marketing messages, or to build their brand via one or more of our channels. Get in touch with our commercial team for further information.

To register Interest for sponsorship, contact: Angela Bruce - abruce@coverangersfc.com

— Season 2021/22 statistics Date

Fixture

Game H/A

F

A

Starting

Starting

Starting

Starting

Starting

Starting

Starting

Starting

Starting

10/07/2021

Stirling Albion

PSC

H

2

3

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne (R.Thomas)

S.Ross

R.Strachan (C.Scully)

B.Watson

B.Yule

R.McAllister (M.Megginson)

R.Draper

13/07/2021

Hearts

PSC

A

0

3

K.Gourlay

M.Neill

H.Milne (R.Thomas)

C.Scully (R.McAllister)

S.Ross (B.Watson)

B.Yule

M.Megginson

L.McIntosh

R.Draper

17/07/2021

Peterhead

PSC

A

1

3

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson1 (L.McIntosh)

D.Higgins (H.Milne)

R.McAllister (B.Watson)

R.Draper

20/07/2021

Inverness CT

PSC

H

3

1

K.Gourlay

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

B.Yule1

M.Megginson1

L.McIntosh1 (R.McAllister)

R.Draper

I.Vigurs

31/07/2021

Falkirk

SPFL1

A

1

1

K.Gourlay

M.Neill

H.Milne

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

R.Draper

I.Vigurs

R.Leitch (C.Scully)

07/08/2021

Queens Park

SPFL1

A

0

2

K.Gourlay

M.Neill (J.Anderson)

H.Milne

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson

L.McIntosh (R.McAllister)

I.Vigurs

R.Leitch (C.Scully)

14/08/2021

East Fife

SPFL1

H

5

2

K.Gourlay

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson3 (L.McIntosh)

R.McAllister1 (B.Watson)

I.Vigurs

21/08/2021

Dumbarton

SPFL1

A

3

1

K.Gourlay

M.Neill (J.Anderson)

H.Milne

C.Scully (L.McIntosh)

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson1

R.McAllister1

28/08/2021

Clyde

SPFL1

A

1

2

K.Gourlay

M.Neill

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson

R.McAllister1

J.Anderson (J.Masson)

04/09/2021

Stenhousemuir

CC

H

0

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

J.Masson

L.McIntosh (R.Leitch)

R.McAllister

11/09/2021

Montrose

SPFL1

H

1

1

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

C.Scully (H.Milne)

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

R.McAllister (L.McIntosh)

I.Vigurs

R.Leitch

18/09/2021

Peterhead

SPFL1

A

1

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

M.Megginson

J.Masson (R.Leitch)

R.McAllister1

I.Vigurs

25/09/2021

Airdrieonians

SPFL1

H

1

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill1

H.Milne

C.Scully (L.McIntosh)

S.Ross

M.Megginson

J.Masson (F.Robertson)

R.McAllister

I.Vigurs

02/10/2021

Alloa Athletic

SPFL1

A

3

1

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

S.Ross

B.Yule (L.McIntosh)

M.Megginson

R.McAllister3

I.Vigurs

F.Robertson (J.Masson)

09/10/2021

Albion Rovers

CC

H

4

1

K.Gourlay

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson1

L.McIntosh (O.Adeyemo)

R.McAllister2

16/10/2021

East Fife

SPFL1

A

2

4

S.McKenzie

M.Neill1

C.Scully

S.Ross (R.Strachan)

M.Megginson

J.Masson (O.Adeyemo)

R.McAllister

I.Vigurs

R.Leitch1 (F.Robertson)

23/10/2021

Clyde

SPFL1

H

3

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

C.Scully1

R.Strachan

M.Megginson

J.Masson1 (R.Leitch1)

R.McAllister

I.Vigurs

F.Robertson (B.Yule)

30/10/2021

Queen’s Park

SPFL1

H

3

3

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

C.Scully (H.Milne)

R.Strachan

M.Megginson1

J.Masson (L.McIntosh)

R.McAllister1

I.Vigurs

F.Robertson

06/11/2021

Montrose

SPFL1

A

0

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

S.Ross

R.Strachan

M.Megginson

J.Masson

R.McAllister (O.Adeyemo)

I.Vigurs

13/11/2021

Peterhead

SPFL1

H

3

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

S.Ross

R.Strachan1

B.Yule

M.Megginson2

J.Masson (R.Leitch)

R.McAllister (L.McIntosh)

20/11/2021

Airdrieonians

SPFL1

A

2

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson1 (F.Robertson)

J.Masson (F.Fyvie)

R.McAllister (L.McIntosh)

27/11/2021

Queen of the South SC

H

2

2

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne (J.Masson)

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

L.McIntosh (R.McAllister)

J.Anderson (S.Logan)

30/11/2021

Rangers B

CC

H

5

1

K.Gourlay

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross (R.Strachan)

B.Yule

M.Megginson1 (O.Adeyemo)

J.Masson1 (L.McIntosh)

I.Vigurs

04/12/2021

Dumbarton

SPFL1

H

2

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

C.Scully

S.Ross (J.Masson)

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson (L.McIntosh)

R.McAllister (F.Robertson)

I.Vigurs1

07/12/2021

Queen of the South SC

A

3

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson2 (J.Anderson)

J.Masson (O.Adeyemo

12/11/2021

Falkirk

SPFL1

A

3

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill1

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

R.McAllister1 (L.McIntosh)

I.Vigurs

18/12/2021

Alloa Athletic

SPFL1

H

3

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson1

J.Masson1 (R.Leitch)

R.McAllister1 (F.Robertson

26/12/2021

East Fife

SPFL1

H

4

2

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule1

M.Megginson1

J.Masson (R.Leitch1)

L.McIntosh1

02/01/2022

Peterhead

SPFL1

A

1

0

S.McKenzie1

M.Neill

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

L.McIntosh

R.McAllister (J.Anderson)

R.Leitch (O.Adeyemo

08/01/2022

Clyde

SPFL1

A

1

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

R.Strachan

B.Yule

L.McIntosh (F.Robertson)

R.McAllister

J.Anderson

I.Vigurs1

15/01/2022

Montrose

SPFL1

H

1

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson (L.McIntosh)

R.McAllister

I.Vigurs (C.Scully)

20/01/2022

Hibernian

SC

A

0

1

K.Gourlay

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan (J.Anderson)

B.Yule

M.Megginson

J.Masson (M.Reynolds)

29/01/2022

Dumbarton

SPFL1

A

2

2

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully1

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

R.McAllister1

I.Vigurs

05/02/2022 Airdrieonians

SPFL1

H

1

1

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne1

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

R.McAllister (J.Masson)

I.Vigurs

12/02/2022

Queen’s Park

SPFL1

H

19/02/2022

Falkirk

SPFL1

H

26/02/2022

Alloa Athletic

SPFL1

01/03/2022

Queen of the South CC

(Cove win 4-2 on penalties)

A H

05/03/2022 Peterhead

SPFL1

H

12/03/2022

Clyde

SPFL1

H

19/03/2022

Montrose

SPFL1

A

26/03/2022

Airdrieonians

SPFL1

A

02/04/2022 Queen’s Park

SPFL1

H

09/04/2022

Falkirk

SPFL1

A

16/04/2022

Alloa Athletic

SPFL1

H

23/04/2022

Dumbarton

SPFL1

H

SPFL1

A

30/04/2022 East Fife

1

g

)

)

)

o)

n)

o)

)

40 41 Starting

Starting

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Referee

AS1

AS2

ATT

I.Vigurs

F.Fyvie2

C.Scully

M.Megginson

R.Thomas

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

-

Barry Cook

Craig Ferguson

Harry Bruce

298

I.Vigurs

F.Fyvie

B.Watson

R.McAllister

R.Thomas

S.McKenzie

-

-

-

-

-

Colin Steven

David McGeachie

Graham McNeillie

I.Vigurs

R.Leitch (F.Fyvie)

H.Milne

B.Watson

L.McIntosh

F.Fyvie

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

Matthew MacDermid

Ralph Gordon

Graham Chambers

R.Leitch (B.Watson)

F.Fyvie

B.Watson

R.McAllister

S.McKenzie

-

-

-

-

-

-

Chris Graham

Greame Leslie

Chris Hobbs

F.Fyvie (R.McAllister)

S.Logan

C.Scully

R.Strachan

B.Watson

D.Higgins

R.McAllister1

J.Anderson

-

-

-

Alan Newlands

George King

Andy Gamble

F.Fyvie

S.Logan

C.Scully

B.Watson

D.Higgins

R.McAllister

J.Anderson

S.McKenzie

-

-

-

Calum Scott

Scott Anderson

Chris Hughes

R.Leitch1 (J.Masson)

S.Logan

M.Neill

B.Watson

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

S.McKenzie

-

-

-

Euan Anderson

Steven Traynor

Gordon McCabe

I.Vigurs

R.Leitch1 (J.Masson)

B.Watson

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

S.McKenzie

-

-

-

-

Duncan Williams

Graham Chambers

Regan Wallace

I.Vigurs

R.Leitch1 (L.McIntosh)

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

S.McKenzie

-

-

-

-

-

-

Grant Irvine

Stuart Hodge

Duncan Nicolson

F.Fyvie

S.Logan

H.Milne

R.Strachan

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

-

Barry Cook

Steve Traynor

Craig Macrae

F.Fyvie

S.Logan

H.Milne

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

Matthew MacDermid

Drew Kirkland

Calum Doyle

F.Fyvie (L.McIntosh)

S.Logan

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

-

Gavin Duncan

Andrew McWilliam

Ian Hart

F.Fyvie (R.Leitch)

S.Logan

R.Strachan

B.Yule

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

F.Robertson

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

Peter Stuart

Alastair Mather

David McKniff

R.Leitch (F.Fyvie)

S.Logan

C.Scully

R.Strachan

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

F.Fyvie

K.Gourlay

-

-

Alan Muir

Andrew McWilliam

George King

R.Leitch (J.Masson)

F.Fyvie

J.Masson1

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

S.McKenzie

-

-

-

-

-

Graham Grainger

Graham McNeillie

Colin McAlpine

F.Fyvie

S.Logan

R.Strachan

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

L.McIntosh

F.Robertson

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

Scott Lambie

Gordon Crawford

Cameron Telfer

F.Fyvie

S.Logan

H.Milne

B.Yule

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch1

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

Barry Cook

Craig Ferguson

Brian Christie

F.Fyvie

S.Logan (B.Yule)

H.Milne

S.Ross

B.Yule

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

Graham Grainger

Steven Traynor

Paul McAvinue

F.Robertson (B.Yule)

F.Fyvie (R.Leitch)

C.Scully

B.Yule

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

Grant Irvine

Andy Milne

Gary Hilland

I.Vigurs

S.Logan (C.Scully)

C.Scully

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

F.Robertson

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

Calum Scott

Graham McNeillie

Brian Christie

J.Anderson

I.Vigurs

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

F.Robertson

F.Fyvie1

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

Craig Napier

Graham Chambers

Barry Reid

I.Vigurs1

F.Fyvie

J.Masson

R.McAllister1

O.Adeyemo

S.Logan

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

Scott Lambie

Steven Traynor

Gordon McCabe

F.Fyvie2

S.Logan

R.Strachan

L.McIntosh1

O.Adeyemo

S.McKenzie

-

-

-

-

-

Mike Roncone

Andy Milne

Paul McAvinue

F.Fyvie1

S.Logan

H.Milne

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

F.Robertson

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

Chris Fordyce

Gary Hilland

Ross Nelson

L.McIntosh (R.McAllister)

F.Fyvie1

R.McAllister

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

-

-

-

-

-

-

Scott Lambie

Steven Traynor

Gordon McCabe

F.Fyvie

S.Logan

J.Masson

L.McIntosh1

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

F.Robertson

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

Calum Scott

Graham McNeillie

Chris Newman

I.Vigurs (L.McIntosh)

F.Fyvie

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

F.Robertson

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

Steven Reid

Alastair Mather

Jordan Cousland

R.McAllister (O.Adeyemo)

S.Logan

R.Strachan

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

Duncan Williams

Paul McAvinue

Terry Ormiston

F.Fyvie

S.Logan

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

-

-

Mike Roncone

Michael Banks

Barry Reid

R.Leitch (J.Masson)

S.Logan

J.Masson

O.Adeyemo

F.Robertson

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

-

Steven Reid

David Doig

Elliott Husband Powton

F.Fyvie

S.Logan (J.Anderson)

C.Scully

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

Matthew MacDermid

Alastair Mather

Andy Milne

L.McIntosh (R.McAllister)

F.Fyvie (R.Leitch)

R.McAllister

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

M.Reynolds

-

-

-

-

Euan Anderson

Drew Kirkland

Michael Banks

F.Fyvie

M.Reynolds

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

Alan Muir

Jonathan Bell

George King

F.Fyvie (K.Fotheringham)

M.Reynolds

R.Strachan

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

-

Barry Cook

Graham Chambers

Brian Christie

506

— Season 2021/22 statistics

#CRFCLIVE

42 43

Name

Appearances

Goals

Position

Yellow

Red

Stuart McKenzie

23

1

GK

0

0

Kyle Gourlay

11

0

GK

0

0

Harry Milne

28

1

DF

5

1

Scott Ross

28

0

DF

6

0

Ryan Strachan

18

1

DF

1

0

Morgyn Neill

33

3

DF

4

0

Jevan Anderson

10

0

DF

0

0

Shay Logan

20

0

DF

0

1

Mark Reynolds

3

0

DF

0

0

Rhys Thomas

2

0

DF

0

0

Connor Scully

31

2

MF

4

0

Blair Yule

31

2

MF

2

1

Jamie Masson

23

4

MF

2

0

Kai Fotheringham

1

0

MF

0

0

Fraser Fyvie

28

7

MF

5

1

Iain Vigurs

28

3

MF

7

0

Ross Draper

5

0

MF

1

0

Robbie Leitch

22

5

MF

1

0

Mitchel Megginson

32

16

FW

7

0

Leighton McIntosh

27

4

FW

0

0

Rory McAllister

33

17

FW

6

0

Ola Adeyemo

0

0

FW

0

0

— Captain’s view

W

C

’S VIE

AIN T P A

44 45

“ One thing I’m dearly hoping for this afternoon is decent weather conditions for our cinch League One meeting with Queen’s Park.”

The last few weeks have been crazy, with us playing games in howling gales that made it almost impossible to play at our very best.

It must have been hellish for the fans at some of the games, with the high winds also ensuring freezing conditions. If you were to ask most players I’m confident they would say they are happy to give it a go in heavy rain and even snowy conditions. It’s a different story when the wind picks up though. Even more so when you are a side that prefers to play a passing game. That’s almost impossible when the ball is flying about like a balloon in a wind machine.

When we played at Dumbarton a couple of weeks ago, it was extremely difficult to control passes and take the ball in when it was played to you. Long passes were a definite no, no, because once the wind caught the ball it was anyone’s guess where it would end up.

Now I accept we have to be ready to deal with some tough conditions playing during a Scottish winter. But I honestly can’t remember a more prolonged period of having to deal with the sort of winds we have seen since before the turn of the year.

Some of the lads in our squad are already struggling to hold on to what is left of their hair. I’m not naming any names, Scott Ross, Harry Milne, Connor Scully and Mark Reynolds know who I’m pointing the finger at without the need to do that.

>>>

— Captain’s view

>>> But when we have walked out some Saturdays I’ve been worried the wind might leave some of their heads looking like our media officer Charlie Allan’s by the time we came back in! For the sake of their good looks, and the spectators who pay good money to watch a decent game of football, let’s hope things are a wee bit calmer today.

The wind was up again when we drew 1-1 with Airdrieonians last weekend. It’s a testament to the quality of both sides that the match was still pretty decent, a real ding-dong battle, with plenty of scoring chances at both ends.

Everyone in our dressing room was pleased to see Harry Milne notch his first goal of the campaign against the Diamonds.

Harry has been outstanding all season, which is to his tremendous credit when you consider he hadn’t played at SPFL level before until we were promoted up from the Highland League three years ago. His displays this term have been in total contrast to the one Harry delivered the very first time I saw him playing for Cove Rangers.

I had only just signed and we played Forfar in a pre-season friendly. Harry had been at T in the Park the previous weekend and his performance against Forfar was so bad I gave him terrible stick for weeks afterwards. There is no chance of that now though because Harry has embraced the challenge of playing at SPFL level and become one of the best left-sided players in the lower divisions.

Hopefully, Harry will keep up the good work against Queen’s Park, who are the only side we haven’t managed to beat in the league so far this season.

We know we will all need to be at our best if that is to change because we are up against a top side who have shown that, on their day, they are a match for anyone.

CYCR! Mitch Megginson

46 47

— Club honours

Scottish League 2 Winners: 2019-20

Aberdeenshire Cup Winners: 2001-02, 2010-11, 2018-19

Highland League Winners: 2000-01, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2012-13, 201516, 2017-18, 2018-19

Runners-up: 1992-93, 1994-95, 2016-17, 2017-18

Runners-up: 1989-90, 1992-93, 1994-95, 1995-96, 2009-10, 2011-12, 2016-17 Scottish Qualifying Cup (North) Winners: 1990-91, 2000-01 Runners-up: 1988-89, 1991-92, 2001-02, 2003-04 Highland League Cup Winners: 1994-95, 1999-2000, 2004-05, 2014-15, 2016-17, 2018-19 Runners-up: 1990-91, 1992-93, 1995-96, 1997-98, 2005-06, 2007-08, 2011-12

Aberdeenshire Shield Winners: 1990-91, 2000-01, 2008-09, 2017-18 Runners-up: 1994-95, 2012-13, 2015-16 Aberdeenshire & District League Winners: 2000-01, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2014-15 Runners-up: 2006-07 Aberdeenshire Centenery Cup Runners-up: 1986-87 Inter-League Trophy Winners: 2001-02

48 49

— Today’s team lines

Cove Rangers FC Manager - Paul Hartley

Queen’s Park FC Head Coach - Currently vacant

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

8.

9.

10.

11.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

19.

20.

21.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

47.

48.

49.

Stuart McKenzie Morgyn Neill Harry Milne Connor Scully Scott Ross Ryan Strachan Blair Yule Mitchel Megginson (C) Jamie Masson Leighton McIntosh Rory McAllister Ross Draper Jevan Anderson Iain Vigurs Ola Adeyemo Rhys Thomas Robbie Leitch Balint Demus Kyle Gourlay Fraser Fyvie Shay Logan Mark Reynolds Kai Fotheringham

Willie Muir (GK) Jake Davidson Tommy Robson Lee Kilday Peter Grant Stuart Morrison Louis Longridge Darren Lyon Bob McHugh Liam Brown Jai Quitongo Calum Ferrie (GK) Lewis Moore Max Gillies Callum Yeats Jacques Heraghy (GK) Calum Biggar Charlie Fox Will Baynham Grant Gillespie Jack Thomson Simon Murray Michael Doyle (C) Alex Bannon Gregor Nicol Connor Smith Luis Longstaff Connor McBride Dylan Reid Luca Connell Ronan Darcy

Today’s referee - Alan Newlands Today’s assistant referees - Paul O’Neill, Scott Anderson Team lines sponsor