Tuesday 5th May 2020
KYLE HUTTON has played 22 minutes of football since February 1.
They were the last 22 minutes of football played by anybody in a Dumbarton jersey, eight and a half weeks ago at Broadwood.
But he’s the one with the most to celebrate.
He’s become unique as a Sons Supporters Trust player of the season. The first to receive his award without the applause of his team-mates or the fans who voted for him.
All he could do, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, was record a video message to say thanks for his place in the hall of fame.
That doesn’t make it any less special, though. And neither is any meaning lost from the other two awards he won.
Kyle has never scored for DFC, but managed a hat-trick on Saturday, with the players’ player of the year and Sons View player of the year prizes added to the main award.
And although things remain up in the air for when football will return due to the ongoing pandemic, he only sees his future in the game in one place.
Speaking to www.dumbartonfootballclub.com, he said: “I’m delighted. It’s great to get recognition from your team-mates who you train and play with, and who recognise the contribution you’ve made over the season.
“I wasn’t expecting to get as many awards as I did, but I’m pleased to get the fans’ award as well. They’ve been brilliant this year.
“Even when we’ve been on a bad run of form, they haven’t turned on us, they’ve stayed with us and supported us as they have for all of my three years at Dumbarton.
“To know that they appreciate what I’ve put in this year is a really special feeling.
“I’m happy at Dumbarton – everything has been fantastic since I’ve come to the club, and I’d be more than happy to stay there.
“Nobody knows when we will resume playing, so everything is up in the air, but I’ve told the manager and others I’d be happy to extend my stay.”
Although the football pitch has been out of bounds for nearly two months, Kyle has worked hard to keep himself in shape during the enforced lay-off.
And it’s not just about himself during the home workouts – his family get to join in the fun!
He added: “I’d done my ligaments and was buzzing to get back in our last game against Clyde, and was looking forward to playing against Falkirk.
“It’s just been frustrating with everything being what it is, but the safety of everybody is first and foremost and I’ve just been keeping myself fit. Whatever decision was made about the season, it wasn’t going to make everybody happy and I think they were right.
“I’d been running at the start of the shutdown as I’d been a bit behind with my fitness, and I’ve been doing online workouts in the house as well. My son loves doing them!
“It’s just been a mix of different stuff that players can do to keep themselves entertained. It’s been OK so far and I’ve been able to keep the kids entertained as well – we’ll see how long that lasts!”
Andy Galloway