Monday 29th April 2019
DUMBARTON FC’s matchday programme, Sons View, has been named by Programme Monthly as the best in League One for season 2018/19 – in its 50th anniversary year.
The production, which continues to sell at every home fixture, came out on top among the 10 clubs in the division in the annual awards given by the collectors’ magazine.
Edited by Edinburgh-based Sons fan Graeme Robertson since 1991, Sons View remains a fixture as part of the matchday experience for home and away fans.
This is the first time it has won the award for any division, and Graeme, a keen collector of programmes from all over the world, was delighted.
He said: “It’s taken some years, but we’re absolutely chuffed.
“To do this in the programme’s 50th anniversary season as well, with retro covers in sequence, it was wonderful news to get.
“Putting each edition together on the Monday night before a home game is very much a team effort.
“My thanks go to every one of the contributors who give up their time to devote their skills, whether they are written or photographic, to produce our award-winning programme. This includes manager Jim Duffy for his input.
“And also to Curtis Sport, who design and print the programme. Their help and support has once again been excellent this season.”
Programme Monthly said of Sons View: “The retro style cover just adds to an impressive issue from the ‘Rock’ that is Dumbarton.
“With minimal advertising, the layout is packed with reading and there is real passion coming across from the editorial team.
“Previously historical content was perhaps lacking but this is now made up for and rightly so for one of Scotland’s oldest clubs.
“Not least this is shown by the programmes produced each season being covered in delightfully anorakish detail.
“Arguably the match reports are a little space filling but overall this is a great read, informative and well worth a trip ‘doon the water’ where it stands above its peers.”
Graeme added: “Now that the team has achieved its objective on the pitch, we have no more programmes to worry about this season. We’re looking forward to having Monday nights free for the next couple of months.
“However, after that, our aspirations are the same as what Ally MacLeod said when asked what he planned to do after Argentina 1978.
“Retain it!”
Andy Galloway