Friday 5th August 2016
FOR those looking for players who are lucky at Dumbarton, Alan Martin is almost the ideal signing.
His record at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium is played two, won two, with two different clubs.
One of those was a 2-1 win for Ayr United over Dumbarton in April 2011, where he made the difference for the Honest Men with a top performance.
Now that he is going to be wearing Sons’ goalkeeper jersey, he hopes those fortunes can carry on.
But he is under no illusions as to how important it will be to pick up results this season – at home and on the road.
He said: “Hopefully it will continue. I’ve nothing but good memories of playing at Dumbarton.
“As well as the Ayr United game, I also played for Hamilton reserves against Rangers at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium last season, and my team won that as well.
“Now that I am a Dumbarton player, I hope it can continue to be one of those stadiums where you get some luck.
“It would be great to do as well as we can against everybody. When I got to the stadium to sign, the pitch was looking great. I’m also glad to get back to playing on grass.”
Alan had hoped to be Hamilton Accies’ number one this season after Michael McGovern left the club following an outstanding Euro 2016 with Northern Ireland.
But it didn’t work out that way, and when Sons’ interest became known, he had an easy decision.
He added: “I spoke to the manager and he said he might be looking for a keeper and heard I might be leaving Hamilton.
“When he expressed his interest it was a no-brainer for me. I asked to be released by Hamilton after they signed a new goalkeeper and it was an easy decision from there.
“I didn’t want to stay and be a number two goalkeeper for another season. I wanted to be first choice, and I hope Dumbarton can give me that opportunity.
“There are some players at the club who have played at higher levels, and when I spoke to the manager he had intentions of bringing other players to the club.
“I know a few of the players by name, but the only two I know personally are Jamie Ewings and Jamie Barclay, also goalkeepers.
“So it is almost a whole new environment for me, but that’s football. I can’t wait to get started.”
Join the debate @dumbartonfc and #sons24
Andy Galloway