Monday 30th April 2018
THE chairman, board, players, staff and supporters’ trust at Dumbarton FC are “determined and united” ahead of the Sons’ relegation play-off challenge starting away at Arbroath on Wednesday night.
Despite a 4-0 defeat at Dunfermline in the last official game of the season, chairman John Steele says he remains “confident that the players, manager and fans will do everything in their power to keep the team in the Championship for a seventh consecutive season.”
“The spirit at the club is strong,” says Mr Steele, the Helensburgh solicitor who took the reins in the boardroom two weeks ago. “We know it’s a big task to negotiate these playoffs, but we’re determined and unified going into the first game.”
Goalkeeping coach Jamie Ewings, who was between the sticks for Dumbarton against the Pars at the weekend, says that there is a strong will to “get the job done” against Arbroath in the first leg of the playoff semi-finals. The return game will be on Saturday 5th May at the Rock.
“We have to believe that we can do this,” says Jamie. “Everyone wants Dumbarton to stay in the second tier of the professional game. Being here for so long is an incredible achievement for a small, part-time side, and we want to stay in the Championship.”
Sonstrust chairman Brian Payne agrees. “It’s vital that fans get behind the team for these matches,” he says.
“We are launching a big social media campaign to #SupportOurSons and #StayInThatNumber. Our fans are a key part of that. Everyone at the club is together and up for this challenge.”
Simon Barrow