As he jets off back to Canada, Mario has a message for Sons fans after the first week of a new era at The Rock.
Having flown in a week ago, Mario has held meetings with supporters, sponsors and the media – as well as taking in his first match at The Marbill Coaches Stadium against St Mirren.
Here’s what he had to say…
“Now I hope that Dumbarton fans can smile and take it all in. You have accomplished what so many others elsewhere have failed to do.
“You were able together to keep this heritage and this legacy. Dumbarton Football Club lives on!
“We must thank the SFA and the SPFL for permitting us to carry on the amazing football legacy for all of us to enjoy; families, the community and for our amazing fans who will be able to pass it on for years to come.
“Personally, I am very proud to be part of this. It’s a privilege and an honour to be backed by the SFA and the SPFL and I want to personally thank those folks and our fans for believing in us.
“Thank you to all the volunteers that made it happen. Especially Dr Neil Mackay, Colin Hosie and Cameron Watson – without whom it wouldn’t have been possible.
“To all those volunteers that give their time for the club week after week, selflessly, always generously and for most not under any spotlight.
“I hope that all of you, and I mean ALL, can be proud that Dumbarton Football Club is back on track.
“Do we still have lots of challenges? Of course we do, but now we have a chance.
“A chance to make the club strong again, stand on its own two feet. We have a chance to have hope, ambitions, a chance to make errors and a chance to accomplish great things.
“This week we have been given a chance to take this club towards the next generation, and the next one and pass it on.
“The challenges are numerous. You know what they are, I have been saying them since the start of my journey here.
“We want to double the season ticket sales, and we’ve already made great progress towards that. We want to double our average attendance in the stadium, we want to get more attention from the business community, find the right partners for the long run, get an artificial pitch to include the women’s team and our youth teams, and run a stadium that is alive six or seven days a week.
“We want to operate the services within our stadium for our visitors and our fans. Then
continue to add talent on the field, attracting more quality to our youth groups, to our ladies team and to our men’s team.
“This week we are being given a chance to achieve that.
“Personally, I never believe in luck. I never leave anything to luck. I believe in people, I believe in planning, in action, in momentum, in determination and in perseverance.
“What happened last November can never happen again on our watch. We know what must be done, so let’s get to work.
“I believe that exceptional things happen when exceptional people get together!
“This story continues. It’s a story of Scottish resilience, a story of family, and community, heritage, and legacy to pass on. Since 1872.
“Now we smile with pride but tomorrow we get back at it!
“We have lots of work to do. Thank you all, my new friends.”
Welcoming the completion of the takeover, and after a constructive board meeting with Mario midweek, Sons Trust chair David Brownlee said: “After a difficult couple of years and the real threat to the club’s existence we are now glad that we have an owner who purchased the club with football and community in his focus.
“We look forward to working with him and others to help build a solid foundation and allow the club to flourish going forward.”
Be part of the new era. Season tickets are on sale now, with early bird prices ending on July 1
Fans can Pass it On by purchasing a ticket for a fan under the age of 16 for just £30.
A new era. Here we go!