Monday 26th June 2017
DAVID WILSON was 18 when he watched from the bench as Dumbarton held First Division champions Partick Thistle.
From there, his career at Firhill was meant to take off. In reality, it never did.
But if you can’t show what you can do with one club, you can always do it for another.
And perhaps you can show your original employers what they’re missing.
That’s exactly what David intends to do on Tuesday, July 11, when Sons face Thistle in a friendly match.
He was on loan to Stranraer last season – under the management of Stevie Aitken’s former assistant Stevie Farrell, and the Sons gaffer’s brother Chris.
After a few conversations, and his release by Thistle after six years this close season, he signed a contract at the Rock this afternoon.
Speaking to www.dumbartonfootballclub.com, he said: “I think it’s a good move for me. I’ve not really had consistency over the years, so hopefully I can come here and show people what I can do.
“When I left Thistle, Stevie Aitken spoke to Alan Archibald about me, and had heard from his brother about my performances at Stranraer.
“It was hard to leave Thistle after six years, but I think it’s the right decision in the end as I wasn’t getting to play.
“It’s important for me to get out there and enjoy my football again, and I hope I can do that at Dumbarton.
“As long as I’m out there playing, I don’t mind what midfield role I am asked to play. I can play anywhere across the midfield.
“I’ve trained with the team since last Monday. It’s been hard, but it’s been good so far and I’m enjoying it.
“As soon as I saw there was a friendly game with Thistle, I was excited. I’m looking forward to that game in a fortnight.”
Sons have been in the Championship for as long as David was in the first-team picture at Firhill, with him having been an unused sub in the goalless draw at the Rock in May 2013.
He’s been impressed from afar by what the club has achieved in the second tier – and now hopes he can help them do better
He added: “We can only push higher than what we did last year. It’s a good achievement staying in the Championship and you think to yourself that you finished eighth last year, so kick on from there.
“One of my first-ever times on the bench with Thistle’s first team was at Dumbarton on the last day of the 2012/13 season.
“Ever since then they’ve stayed in the division and hopefully they can continue to stay in it for the coming years, and maybe even push for the play-offs in time.
“I haven’t really thought about a job away from football yet. I’m not really sure what I’ll do, but I’ll try to get a job so I’m not sitting about all day.”
Andy Galloway