Manager Bob Cochran resigned and was replaced by David Torrance. His debut managerial campaign was disastrous, finishing eighteenth in Division Two.

Morton strengthened their squad, but after winning the first six matches of 1928/29 season to go top, their form faded and they were fifth by Christmas.

Fortunately, the challenge re-ignited in the second half of the season and with just one defeat in 19 games, Morton secured second place and promotion.

Average attendances, which had slumped to a miserable 2,358 in 1927/28, rebounded to 6,526.

But on returning to Division One for 1929/30, it quickly became clear that Morton’s recovery was far from complete.

There were limited funds available to strengthen the squad and the supporters’ club criticised this lack of investment in new players, particularly when local talent was being snapped up by others.

These grievances simmered behind the scenes as results disappointed.

With no wins in the opening six matches, and just five throughout the first half of the season, Morton floundered near the relegation zone.

Dan McRorie, top scorer with 30 goals the previous season, had scored only two; the defence had failed to keep a single clean sheet in the first 20 matches.

A recovery over the festive period temporarily silenced the critics; Morton won 1-0 at Parkhead, before beating local rivals St Mirren 2-0 and thrashing Dundee United 6-1 at Cappielow in early January.

It proved to be a brief renaissance; on January 15, Morton travelled to Dundee on cup business, but for the sixth time in eight seasons since winning the trophy in 1922, they exited in the first round.

In the run-up to the game, the directors promised a new signing, which didn’t materialise; Morton surrendered tamely and the directors stood accused of 'bluffing the fans'.

The result was another devastating blow for Cappielow devotees, with the Telegraph calling for the resignation of the club's directors, stating: "They can’t escape responsibility for what happened."

By January 27, a special meeting of the supporters’ club was arranged. Dissatisfied fans were angry, and management came in for severe criticism.

The Telegraph noted that given the number of malcontents, a bigger building was required.

Things escalated quickly; by Saturday, February 1, a special meeting was arranged in the Empire Music Hall, the attendance so large that a second venue had to be utilised, with around 1,500 people in total attending.

Meanwhile, Morton were playing Queen’s Park at Cappielow.

The Morton team for the match with Queen's Park on February 1, 1930 on the first day of the boycott. Back row L-R: Richmond, Scott, Wilson, Weir, Lawson, Cowie. Front: Torrance (manager), McRorie, Johnstone, Lyle, Dorrans, McCartney, Howatt (trainer). (Image: Courtesy of Niall McGilp)

The attendance was only 5,000, including two Queen’s 'special trains', and when the half-time score was announced at the meetings, Morton trailing 3-1, there was considerable cheering from so-called Morton supporters!

The Stay-Away movement was born, almost uniquely advocating a boycott of all Morton games.

Supporters no longer organised special trains to Morton’s away games; on February 8, with Morton at home to Aberdeen, 800 travelled to Rothesay Victoria’s Junior Cup tie, and another 700 were entertained at the Old Picture Palace.

Cappielow crowds were significantly down - around half the previous level.

The team were now in the middle of a seven-game winless run.

On February 15, fans attended local junior and juvenile matches, whilst their team were thrashed 7-2 by Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. Morton were completely outplayed - the boycott clearly having an unsettling effect on the players.

The club’s performances were considered “unworthy of the district”, with relegation now a real possibility.

The supporters’ club sought a conference with the football club, but Morton’s response was unhelpful, demanding to know “the reason for the boycott, and what the supporters wanted to discuss”.

The two sides were clearly miles apart.

Positions hardened, and the Stay-Away organisers, who included future Morton manager Jimmy Davis, were determined to “fight to the finish".

Finally, on March 27, Provost Drummond chaired a meeting between the Morton management and representatives of the supporters’ club and the Stay-Away Committee.

Grievances were aired, and eventually handshakes were exchanged.

Morton agreed to consider recommendations from the supporters, and a motion to return to Cappielow was subsequently overwhelmingly agreed.

Led by a pipe band, thousands marched to Cappielow the following day for the match with Airdrieonians.

Morton drew 1-1, but more importantly, 9,000 fans were there.

Morton ultimately survived, just, in 18th position, with Dundee United and St Johnstone relegated.

Did the boycott have any impact?

Well, it clearly reduced the club’s income and, not for the last time, fundamental questions arose about the competence of those running the club.

The part played by the supporters’ club was also difficult; their role was to work co-operatively with Morton, but this had been compromised by the Stay-Away Movement.

Indeed, one commentator observed that having attended the meetings, and surveyed the crowd, “it might be in the best interests of football if they’d stayed away for ever”!