We are delighted to announce that club captain Mark Durnan has agreed terms on a new contract for the 2025/26 season at the Rock.
Mark made 36 appearances for the club during last year’s difficult campaign and is the first member of manager Stevie Farrell’s squad to agree a new deal for the clubs new era and will continue to be part of the first team squad along with Brett Long as the Sons look to make a strong start to League Two.
The 32-year-old knows what it takes to do well in this division, having been part of the squad that earned promotion via the playoffs in 23/24, and he was quick to ensure fans it was an easy decision to stay with the club.
He said: “I’m delighted to get it done. I have really enjoyed my two years at the club, and it was an easy one to stay when the manager offered me a new contract.
“I just love the club and I’ve enjoyed my two years here. I’m very local so it was a no-brainer for me in terms of wanting to stay.
“I’m just looking forward to the season getting going now.”
He also talked about the teams chances heading back into League Two.
He said: “We know it’s a competitive league and come pre-season, we know we need to get ourselves fit first and foremost.
“Once the game’s come along, we’ll have a good crack at doing well in the league this year.”
He also spoke of the importance of a settled central defensive partnership after playing with various central defensive partners last campaign.
He said: “It’ll be massive. Before it was myself and Sean [Crighton] playing every week.
“Last year obviously became a bit different, when we got the administration and I think the manager made the decision to give everybody a chance.
“The teams back four changed every week. Having that solid foundation of a settled goalkeeper on back four is going to be crucial to anybody’s plan.
“Hopefully we can get that in place and keep people fit and we’ll have a good chance.”
Boss Stevie Farrell also expressed his happiness at keeping his skipper around for at least another year.
He said: “I’m delighted, your captain is so important for your club, for your group of players and for new players coming in, there’s just so many strands that a captain brings to the football club.
“That sums up Mark, his experience and everything that he brings as a captain, as a player.”
Stevie also spoke about the importance of shoring up the backline with the resigning of Mark.
He added: “We’re looking to make ourselves more solid first and foremost, we were a wee bit disappointed with last year with the goals that we lost. So, we’ve purposely looked at that this year.
“We’ve analysed that and there’s a defender and a central midfield player coming in too, as well as defensive midfield player.
“We’ve targeted that kind of heart in the team, in the base of the team, to try and go and build for it. But certainly, having the experience of Mark to start with is a brilliant start for us.”
