Dumbarton Manager Frank McKeown has moved quickly to announce his new look backroom team. He will be joined in the dugout by two new assistants who are no strangers to Scottish football.
Mark Docherty brings a wealth of experience to the club having played over 500 games in SPFL. Best known for his successful stints at Dumbarton, Alloa and Stranraer. He was involved in the coaching team during an interim spell at East Stirlingshire and has joined the manager’s coaching staff to continue the next stage in his career.
Stephen Simmons joins the back room team bringing a career that spans from the Premier League to the Highland League. Stephen played over 100 games for Hearts as well as turning out for clubs such as Dunfermline, Queen of the South, Raith Rovers and Alloa. He has also spent time working under Andy Kirk and Craig Levein as Brechin City’s assistant manager for three years where he also took interim charge for a short spell. Stephen was a tough tackling central midfielder who will help and assist our younger players making their way in the game.
The goalkeeping department will be headed up by fans favourite Eric Philips. Eric is someone who is well known in Scottish football, widely respected and an asset to our club.
Head Physio will be Kirsty Hughes who has moved quickly to bolster the medical department by adding an assistant physio to the ranks. Luke Bolton will join us in the new year. Further to this, experienced John Dempster will remain as Club Doctor.
Callum Strang will be Head of Sports Science at the club. Cal has experience working with Raith Rovers and Livingston and will be given full autonomy over introducing a programme of internship where he will be supported by sports scientists looking to gain experience aligning with the club values.
Head of Youth Development – Gordon Scanlan will now be in charge of individual player analysis for the first team. The Manager and Gordon have moved quickly to improve this department by bringing on board local lad Fraser Banks as assistant to support Gordon in this role.
The kit department will be headed up by popular figure Drew Walls and assisted by Jamie Dougan.