Thursday 4th August 2016
HE walked away from last season’s Sonstrust awards bash with one bottle of wine.
One presented to him by a group of supporters away from the stage, once all the official festivities were done.
But while Mark Docherty is held in high regard by the fans for his passion and commitment, he has the same affection for them.
And it’s something he’s determined to show this season with the same big-hearted, all-action displays which endeared him to the supporters.
He said: “The fans are important to the club. They pay good money to watch their team, their local team, and want to see them do well. They pay the players’ wages.
“The players have to respect the fans’ opinions and have to try and give them value for money.
“Hopefully this season, we can give them something similar to last season in terms of performances. We think we gave them value for money last year by staying in the Championship.
“I always give 100 per cent in training and games and I am a passionate guy. The fans are not daft – they know when you are working hard for the jersey.
“I just look to give it everything I’ve got and that’s something I’ll be doing again this season.”
Once again, Mark has a big platform to deliver those performances in a prestigious Ladbrokes SPFL Championship this season.
And he admitted that the strength of the division was a real selling point in his decision to return to Sons after a close season when he got married.
He added: “That’s why I re-signed for the club. It’s going to be a really competitive league with the teams in it.
“Dundee United have come down and Hibernian are still there. Rangers aren’t in it any more, but there are still some big clubs in there.
“We will look to push as high as we can and hopefully remain the best part-time team in Scotland once again.
“We must look to finish above Ayr United and whoever else we can keep below us, like we did with Livingston last season.
“Staying in the Championship is the main target, but we’ll be looking to push on from that.”
Andy Galloway