Veteran midfielder Terry Masson signs new deal with Montrose

Terry Masson, left, signing a one-year contract extension with Montrose as manager Stewart Petrie looks on (Pic: Montrose FC)

The 34-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal keeping him at Links Park until summer 2024.

Masson turns 36 in July of that year so chances are that he’ll see out his Scottish Professional Football League career at the club he joined over a decade ago.

Already’s Mo’s longest-serving player, the Dundee-born midfielder has made 394 appearances for the club since joining the Wellington Street club from junior side Carnoustie Panmure in June 2010.

He’s also scored 35 goals for the Gable Endies in that time, playing a key role in the now-third-tier club’s transformation over the last six years under manager Stewart Petrie, including helping them win the League 2 title in 2018 and earn places in back-to-back Scottish Championship play-offs.

Less of a source of pride possibly but equally memorably, he was in the team given a League 2 play-off scare by Brora Rangers in May 2015, losing the first leg 1-0 away but winning the second 3-1 at home.

Masson was eventually given a testimonial match last season – a 1-1 draw against Arbroath at the start of July, with Craig Brown scoring for Mo and a trialist for their visitors, attracting a crowd of almost 1,000 – after initial plans for one were put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Petrie is glad to know he count on Masson for at least another season and a half, describing him as a model professional for younger players to look up to.

“We are delighted Terry has agreed to further extend his stay here,” said the 52-year-old.

“His energy, tenacity and, of course, tackling in the middle of the park always set the tone and tempo for our games, and his overall professionalism and attitude are a great example to the younger members of the squad.”

Prior to joining Mo a dozen years ago, Masson was at Scottish Junior Football Association Midlands League outfit Panmure for a year and a half after moving on from Dundee United and Arbroath’s youth set-ups in July 2009, though he spent part of that spell out on loan at Brechin City.

He’s also been loaned out to juniors Brechin Victoria since joining Mo.