Wednesday 7th September 2022
IT may be Stevie Farrell’s name on the trophy, but it is everybody’s award.
The Dumbarton manager made sure his coaching staff were in the photograph when he received his manager of the month award for cinch League Two for August, presented by Glen’s Vodka, at training last night.
Because although it will be his mantelpiece the trophy goes on, it is a prize on behalf of all those who have contributed to Sons’ 100 per cent start to the season.
He was given the accolade after five league wins out of five in July and August – a run which of course is now six wins out of six.
But reflecting on the latest addition to his collection, he insisted there have been many factors behind that run – not least the goalscoring of cinch League Two player of the month Declan Byrne.
Speaking to dumbartonfootballclub.com, he said: “Declan has won his player of the month award and I have won mine, but we take them on behalf of everybody.
“In my eyes, the players take all the credit. Players are everything at a football club, and a manager is only as good as his players.
“We have a good squad with good harmony, and are working really, really hard. We look fit and healthy and touch wood, we have managed to keep away from any big injury lists.
“Last season Gregor Buchanan played beside any number of centre halves. This season so far, in the league, he has played beside one – Stuart Carswell.
“That sort of continuity has meant a lot to our start to the season.”
Copyright Andy Scott Photos 2022.
So how long can the start to the season keep going? Right now, all that Sons are looking for is seven wins out of seven when they visit Stranraer this Saturday.
Stevie added: “It is an old cliche, but all we are doing is taking it one game at a time. The talk at 5pm each Saturday for the last six weeks has been the same.
“It has been: ‘Well done. excellent, another three points, put the music on and enjoy the weekend.
“And then we come into training on Tuesday and Thursday and start to work hard for the next three points.
“Currently we are not looking any further ahead than Stranraer. We didn’t look any further than East Fife last week, and that game is now done.
“No two games are the same, and Saturday at Stranraer will be a different proposition which we will need to be ready for.”
Dumbarton Football Club