Saturday 28th May 2022
THE weeks are disappearing fast until Dumbarton’s first competitive fixtures – but manager Stevie Farrell is looking ahead positively.
It is now known to be just 42 days until the new season starts with a Premier Sports Cup sectional tie at home to Stirling Albion.
That will be followed by two trips to the northeast within three days, with the challenge of a trip to Aberdeen followed by a visit to Peterhead.
A home game against Raith Rovers will complete the group – and another player is set to declare himself in for the challenge.
That player, currently on holiday, is expected to sign in the later part of this week, with a deal thought to be close for another prospective member of the squad.
Speaking to dumbartonfootballclub.com, Stevie said: “The market place is quite slow at the moment and there are a few clubs who haven’t made any signings yet.
“So the reality is that we are in a much better position with the players we signed on two-year deals, and having added another four.
“We will sign another player in the later part of this week when he returns from his holiday, and we are well down the line with another player.
“That will take us to 15 players, so we are ahead of where we were this time last year, and we are in talks with a number of other players.
“The player signing this week is a good age, has good experience and has a good range of passing and physique. He is exactly what we are looking for in a key area of the pitch.”
As well as four tough cup ties, Stevie also has to guide his players through a demanding schedule in the Premier Sports Cup.
The trips to Aberdeen and Peterhead will take in the best part of 700 miles over three days, the first on Wednesday, July 13 and the second on Saturday, July 16.
However, the manager looks forward to the challenge.
He added: “The schedule we have in the competition is tough, but we will take it on. The pitches at that stage of the season are excellent and the match at Aberdeen will be the first of a new season on their surface.
“It’s a cinch Premiership stadium, so the players will look forward to that. Jim Goodwin will build his own squad there so it is set up for a good game and a challenge for us.
“You always look to qualify from the section. Every other team in it will look to do that and we are no different.
“It will absolutely be tough to do that, but that doesn’t mean we can’t go out and compete. Everything is possible and you can never say never.
“I don’t think a team from the fourth tier has ever qualified from the group stage. Being the first to do it is something to aim at.”
Dumbarton Football Club