'It's not doom and gloom just yet' - what is going on at Morton?

"Greenock needs Morton and Morton needs Greenock. We've got to keep this club going."

John McCartney has been a Greenock Morton supporter for over 60 years. He has a lifetime of memories watching his local side but, standing outside Cappielow ahead of Morton's Championship meeting with Arbroath, his concern for the future of the club is greater than at any point in his decades-long association with his team.

The club's major sponsor, Dalrada, has encountered difficulties, and the knock-on effect has placed significant strain on Morton's finances.

Plans are in motion to bring the club back on to a more solid financial footing, but for fans, it is a worrying time.

"I've got so many good memories of Morton and I want others," John continues.

"I want the next generation to have that as well, and the one after. I totally and absolutely want Morton to get through this and I'll do everything I can to help, and I'm sure a lot of the fans feel the same as I do.

"Other clubs have been the same - Hamilton were here, Dumbarton were here, Inverness, and it's our turn now.

"They all got through it. We can definitely get through this, but we've got to pull together, we've got to fight to keep Morton going, because it's really, really important for Greenock, and for us, for me."

Dalrada began their sponsorship arrangement with Morton in June last year which was worth an initial £540,000. A further £240,000 was committed by Dalrada in September, but the company's recent problems led to a reduction in payments and, consequently, a cash flow problem at Cappielow.

The club has been community owned for five years but there have been recent resignations from volunteer directors of Morton Club Together.

Multi-club investment group Estrella had plans to to spend £750,000 for a 35% stake only to withdraw that offer last week, saying Morton's "situation has deteriorated significantly, both financially and on the pitch" since a memorandum of understanding was established in March.

So just how serious is the current situation?

"Well put it this way, we're not at the point of having to turn the lights off," Morton general manager Mark Kelly told BBC Scotland.

"As it comes to November, it's going to be a bit tight. But, with the Morton community and the Scottish football community helping us, I think we'll be fine.

"It's not to say that it's not going to be tough, it's not going to be challenging, but it's not doom and gloom just yet.

"The fans have been fantastic, the Scottish football community have been fantastic. So I would just urge all Morton fans, when they can, come and support us.

"There are things going on in the background that we're trying to get over the line, which could hopefully help the club moving forward."