All at Dumbarton Football Club would like to wish outgoing groundsman Jim Paton a very happy retirement, after he hung up his pitchfork following five years of tireless work on the pitch at The Marbill Coaches Stadium.
Jim, who spent 45 years as one of Scotland’s most respected greenkeepers at golf clubs in Helensburgh, West Kilbride and Islay, took on the role as groundsman in the summer of 2020 – as the world was in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Working on our pitch wasn’t something completely new to Jim, he had previously turfed the goalmouths at Boghead Park while the late, great Dick Jackson was groundsman.
His first season saw unprecedented challenges, on and off the park, which included a run of four home matches in just seven days – something no other Sons groundsman is likely to see again.
Further challenges would follow, including groundshares that meant he was almost single-handedly looking after a pitch that had 40 games played on it for four consecutive seasons, and being in charge of our playing surface whilst the club dealt with the implications of going into administration – meaning that funding for essential materials and maintenance was scarce, with Jim working tirelessly to ensure that there was minimal disruption for players.
Jim made a point of thanking long-time Sons fan Neil Jenkinson for all his assistance over the years.
Vice-chairman Colin Hosie said: “On behalf of everyone at Dumbarton Football Club I’d like to wish Jim a very happy retirement. He faced unprecedented challenges in his time looking after our pitch, and has put in countless hours in all weather conditions ensuring that the park was in the best condition possible.
“We hope to see Jim back at the Marbill Coaches Stadium as a fan, hopefully enjoying the unfamiliar opportunity to put his feet up and watch the game from the dry and sheltered surroundings of the stand.”