the final game of the season popular player Hugh Davidson chose to retire from the game. At the end of the 2014–15 season, Montrose came last in League Two, but maintained their status in the SPFL after a 3–2 aggregate win in a play-off against Highland Football League champions Brora Rangers. Two goals in the second-half of the home leg by Marvin Andrews and Gary Wood saved the club from dropping into non-league football. Stewart Petrie Era Stewart Petrie was appointed manager in December 2016 after the sacking of Paul Hegarty a month earlier due to a run of poor performances, which led to the club sitting bottom of League Two. The appointment of Petrie vastly improved the fortunes of the team, achieving a 4th place finish at the end of season and qualification for the League One playoffs for the first time in nine years. Montrose ended up losing 4–1 on aggregate to Peterhead in the playoff semi-final. The 2017–18 season was more notable for altogether happier reasons. Montrose were promoted as League Two champions finishing one point ahead of Peterhead, who had pushed them all the way to the last game. This saw Montrose end 22 consecutive seasons in Scotland’s fourth tier. After promotion, Petrie continued to steer the club in a favourable direction in League One, achieving top four finishes and Championship playoff spots for four consecutive seasons. Montrose also reached the round of 16 of the 2020–21 Scottish Cup, their best performance in over a decade, losing to Kilmarnock 3–1 at Rugby Park in the fourth round. Their third place finish in the 2021–22 League One season was the highest for the club in the Scottish football league system since their 12th place finish in the 1985–86 old First Division. Rivalries Montrose share a strong rivalry with local side Arbroath, and matches between the two are usually intense and widely anticipated by both sides. Montrose also share local rivalries with fellow Angus sides Brechin City and Forfar Athletic, with games played by two of any of these teams (including Arbroath) being known as Angus derbies. First-team squad On loan Club officials Executive Honorary President: John F. Paton Honorary Vice President: Malcolm Watters Chairman: John Crawford Vice-Chairman: David Laing Chief Executive Officer: Peter Stuart Finance Manager: Iain Bridges Safety Officer: Alan Kenny Secretary: Brian Petrie Assistant Secretary: Andrew Stephen Directors: Peter Davidson, Michael Fotheringham, Barry O'Neill, Tracy