Saturday 12th June 2021
HE’S already been involved in some of Dumbarton’s greatest days of the current century.
Gregor Buchanan just hopes they’re not over yet.
The centre half rocked back up at the club this morning, signing a two-year deal to be part of things through to the end of Sons’ 150th anniversary season.
In his first spell, he scored in a victory over Hibernian in August 2015 after three minutes of his first league game.
He’s had five clubs since his first spell with Dumbarton – playing for St Mirren and Livingston in the season those two clubs won promotion to what is now the cinch SPFL Premiership.
Sons were also far from the only club pursuing his services during this close season, but he had his reasons for ensuring they won the race.
Speaking to www.dumbartonfootballclub.com, Gregor said: “I’m pleased to be back. I’ve a lot of fond memories here.
“I’d spoken to a number of clubs – it’s probably been the busiest for me in terms of clubs asking me to join.
“But I spoke to Stevie Farrell a few times and then me with him, and after we had that chat it took me about a week to mull everything over, and then it was in the top of my mind I wanted to come here.
“The club has maybe not doe as well as before in recent seasons, but Stevie is bringing in players wanting to bring success back.
“I was lucky enough to play in the Championship with Dumbarton and these are long-term goals.
“A two-year deal gives me a bit of stability. It’s not just myself, but other players, who are signing for two years and it shows we are trying to get a good core of boys who are able to do it for a couple of years.
“Stevie has put a lot of trust in me and the other players and we know we will give it back.”
Gregor is also in no doubt about what he wants Dumbarton to be pushing for this season as the squad continues to take shape.
After signing his deal at the Rock this morning, he was straight down to Irvine to start pre-season training.
Asked if he was looking forward to today’s session, he laughed: “Not the running part!
“To be honest, it’s about getting the balls out and actually training again. I know a number of the boys here and that was a factor in me coming back.
“It’s going to be a close-knit squad, especially after the year we’ve had. We haven’t been in changing rooms and knowing there’ll be a good vibe about the place is a big factor.
“I’m absolutely looking forward to seeing our fans back. I’ve got a good relationship with them and I hope they’re going to be excited when they hear the news.
“I want to give them all I can to move the club forward again.
“It’s that type of league where if you can get yourself on a run, it quickly moves you up the table. In the last couple of seasons the club hasn’t done as well as it should and we want to be at the right end of the table.
“You want to be pushing at the right end rather than having the fear factor that relegation could be on the cards.
“That’s not what we’re aiming for. We’re aiming to be at the top.”
Andy Galloway