Thursday 3rd June 2021
PAT BOYLE knows what it takes to win trophies.
It’s a habit he first learned at the place he will call home again.
He won promotion with Kelty Hearts 11 days ago. Two years before that, he won the League Two title with Peterhead.
A further year back, he was lifting the League One silverware with Ayr United. But even as far back as another nine years, in 2009, he knew what it was like to be a champion.
It was something he learned with Dumbarton, when the club magnificently rallied in the late stage of the season to lift the Third Division trophy.
And it was memories like that which convinced the 34-year-old he should come back to G82.
It’s also a move which could have happened last year – in that he could have been playing under Stevie Farrell and Frank McKeown.
He now hopes that Stranraer’s loss for season 2020/21 can be Dumbarton’s gain in 2021/22.
Speaking to www.dumbartonfootballclub.com, Pat said: “I’m happy to be back – I didn’t think I’d ever be back as it was getting later on in my career.
“It’s a place I’ve very fond memories of. Winning the title is certainly something that lives with you forever and I speak with a lot of players to this day.
“My time with propelled me on to bigger and better things, and it was just a time that gave me really good memories.
“Since I left Airdrie I’ve been fortunate enough to win three titles in four years. I’ve been able to go to teams who are challenging for titles and I’ve picked up a few winners’ medals.
“With that comes the experience of how to win football games, and that’s hopefully something I can bring to Dumbarton as well.
“Until Barry Ferguson left his post as Kelty manager, it was likely I would be staying there. There was an offer from there.
“But once he left, things changed quickly. I had spoken with Stevie Farrell and Frank McKeown about playing for Stranraer last season but had a change of heart.
“Once they got wind I was available this year, they came in again for me. I could have hung about and waited for something else, but it just feels like the right fit for me.”
With a CV like the one he’s built up in recent years, Pat hopes the successes can continue, but his feet remain grounded at the same time.
Over the coming days and weeks, he will look forward to seeing who he is playing alongside.
He added: “It’s hard to know until the squad is put together, but I’ve had a good chat with Frank about where the club wants to go.
“It was a difficult season last year and this time the league will be really difficult. There are a couple of full-time teams in there, so we have to be realistic.
“But we need to look to be challenging for maybe fourth. We’ve got to have aspirations, but we’re in a league with Falkirk, Queen’s Park and experienced teams.
“We’ll get a clearer picture when the squad is fully assembled, but under Stevie, the progress will be there.
“We don’t want to be at the bottom end of the table and I don’t see that being the case. If we get a good run together, we can push up the table.”
Andy Galloway