Tuesday 12th January 2021
WE are still here for you.
Dumbarton chairman John Steele has reached out to the club’s supporters after football at League One level was suspended for the second time in less than a year.
Sons will not kick another ball until at least February, meaning that the forthcoming home games against Huntly, Forfar Athletic and Peterhead have been postponed.
With home fixtures against East Fife and Airdrieonians also outstanding, times are challenging, but the chairman remains committed to seeing the club through the Covid-19 pandemic.
And with a very special time for the club creeping slowly on to the horizon, John, who recently retired from his ‘day job’ with a local legal practice, is determined to ensure it emerges from the current situation looking positively towards the future.
He said: “We are disappointed not to be able to continue playing football in the short term, but fully understand why the decision has been made. Public health and safety must come first and the figures of recent weeks indicate that Covid-19 has become more prevalent.
“However, it does present us with yet another challenge. I have only been involved with the club for a small fraction of its 148-year history, but two World Wars apart, it is hard to imagine a more challenging period during that time than the last year.
“While we hope to return to action as soon after January as possible, the simple fact is that there are no guarantees. It will depend on many factors which are out of all our hands.
“The longer we go without being able to play at home, the bigger the challenge of no matchday income will get.
“But I want our supporters to know that we will confront this latest obstacle head on, and strive to ensure that at the end of this situation Dumbarton FC will not only survive, but thrive.
“The club is far too important to far too many people for us to let our guard down – even more so given that next year, it will celebrate its 150th anniversary.
“We have intended for some time for the club to be in the best possible position to reach that milestone. That does not change.”
And John was keen to let our supporters know that although there will be no match action for at least the next few weeks, the club remains available to its supporters.
He added: “We are very much still here for you.
“Although our players cannot do their job for the next while, our staff away from the playing side of the club can. Our ground maintenance and admin staff will continue to work as hard as they have done to keep the club moving and the playing surface in good condition for when we return.
“Our club shop will also remain open, and we are very much looking forward to our home-based whisky tasting night on Friday, February 19. Tickets are selling well, but some remain available.
“Work is also taking place behind the scenes on events and initiatives which can further boost us ahead of our 150th anniversary.
“Many of these are dependent on when supporters are able to return to games, and when gatherings can be allowed again. But when we have clarity on these, we will be able to move some of our ideas forward.
“We might not be able to work for you on the playing side at the moment, but we remain YOUR football club. Keep up the good work and let’s move positively towards 150.”
Dumbarton Football Club