Sunday 15th May 2022
THE year long schedule to celebrate Dumbarton’s 150th anniversary got off to a flyer with the Champions of ’72 Dinner.
The event, to celebrate 50 years since winning the Second Division Championship and returning to the top flight for the first time in 50 years, was an unqualified success.
Chairman Neil Mackay acted as MC for the evening and welcomed everyone to the event and the opening of the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations
Guest speaker Murdo MacLeod captivated the audience with a humorous reprise of his career and indulged in a Q&A session.
Club historian Jim McAllister paid tribute to the 1971/72 squad with a look back at their achievements and the legacy they left behind.
After a minute’s applause to remember members of the squad who had passed away, the players became the first to be inducted into the newly created Dumbarton FC Hall of Fame.
Murdo MacLeod was also inducted into the Hall of Fame.
After a heartfelt response from Alan Mackay on behalf of the players, a short video message was played from Billy Wilkinson, a vital part of the championship-winning side who emigrated to Brisbane, Australia in the late 1970s. The team had not seen him since then.
Messages from Gordon Menzies and John Paterson were also relayed to the attendees. They both now live abroad.
The chairman brought the evening to a close with votes of thanks, and these thanks are repeated to all those who attended and helped to make the evening so successful.
Details of further events to mark our 150th anniversary will be published on the club website as and when they are confirmed.
Dumbarton Football Club