Tuesday 25th May 2021
STUART CARSWELL says that he’ll always be grateful to Jim Duffy for making him Dumbarton captain, but admits he was surprised by the announcement of the manager’s departure yesterday.
The Sons midfielder was made team captain during the 2019 close season and said it was “a proud moment” when Jim handed him the armband.
However, he and his team-mates had no indication before or after Thursday’s final fixture of the season, against Edinburgh City, that the gaffer would leave.
Speaking to www.dumbartonfootballclub.com, Stuart said: “I’m a bit surprised, a bit shocked by it all. I didn’t see it coming.
“After the results we had towards the end of the season, we all wanted to kick on, but the manager had his reasons for leaving and we respect that.
“We were all quite surprised when we found out, and it comes at a time when the players are all out of contract. The club has to get a new manager in and players have to think about their future.
“We’d had no indication it was coming after the Edinburgh City game. Before it he was really upbeat and positive, and afterwards he was happy we’d secured survival in League One.
“He did say thanks to us all after the game, but we thought he would remain here into next season.”
Although Jim’s chapter in Dumbarton FC history is now at an end, Stuart insists the honour of being made captain will always live with him.
He and the rest of the Sons squad, all of whom are out of contract from June 10, will now await developments on the managerial front.
He added: “It was the first time I’d been made captain of any team and it was a proud moment for me, something I’ve enjoyed doing ever since.
“I’ll always be grateful to Jim for giving me that chance. I’m gutted he’s away but it’s part and parcel of football.
“He did well with us all. With the budget he had, he’s done a great job and we should all take note of what he’s done.
“We’ll be keen to see who the club appoints as manager but it’s hard to say what the future holds with no manager at the moment.
“It’s going to be uncertain times for everybody.”
Andy Galloway