Dumbarton Women youth player Paige Pasifull etched her name into the Sons history books on Saturday, scoring the first-ever goal for a Dumbarton FC Girls Youth Team in a thrilling 3–3 draw for our Under-14s away to Thorn Athletic.
The strike marked a landmark moment for our newly formed girls section, which came under the Dumbarton FC banner from Dumbarton United at the turn of the year, as we continue to build a clear and sustainable pathway for young players in West Dunbartonshire.
Fittingly, the first goal for our youth girls teams came from a player whose family is deeply ingrained in the club.
Paige is the younger sister of our Women’s Team top goalscorer, Gemma Russell, and the daughter of our Women’s Goalkeeping Coach, Steven Pasifull.
It was a proud moment not just for the family, but for everyone connected to Dumbarton FC, as our vision for developing women’s and girls’ football in the region continues to take shape.
Earlier this year, we announced the creation of a new pathway for female players, bringing five of Dumbarton United’s girls sides into the club structure and giving us a full pathway from those taking their first steps in football to first team football with our women’s team – currently playing in the SWFL Central-West.
Executive Director Cameron Watson said at the time: “This is a major day in the history of Dumbarton Football Club and for women’s football in West Dunbartonshire generally, and we’re delighted to welcome the girls and their coaches to the club.
“The introduction of our women’s team last summer has seen them go from strength-to-strength, and those girls will be outstanding role models for the next generation coming through. All of us at the club are excited to follow their progress.”
Saturday’s result and Paige’s goal underlined exactly what that pathway is all about – giving young players the chance to represent Dumbarton FC with pride, develop their game, and dream of one day pulling on the first-team shirt.
With teams now in place across multiple age groups and plans for all sides to train and play at The Marbill Coaches Stadium in the future, we’re building a true hub for football in the community.
And thanks to Paige’s moment of magic at Thorn Athletic, our Girls’ Youth Teams have already written their first chapter in Sons history.