Just to steal a march on IvanIV, I thought I'd start this thread early and have a place for all the pre-season and signing chat before the real stuff gets underway in July. Dumbarton have 3 pre-season friendlies confirmed so far, against Partick Thistle, St Mirren and Motherwell, with more sure to follow. Of last season's squad, the following have been released:- Iain Chisholm Alan Cook Ross Campbell Derek Carcary Michael White Ryan McStay, Andy Geggan and Ben Gordon have rejected new contract offers to seek new clubs and Nicky Devlin has been snapped up by Motherwell after the two clubs reached agreement. The following players who were loaned out to other clubs have been released:- Scott Chaplain Allan McManus Liam Mushet The following loanees have returned to their parent clubs:- Jon McShane Craig McLeish Jordan Halsman Jordan White And the following have re-signed for next season:- Paul Nugent Kieran Brannan Mark Gilhaney Stephen Grindlay James Creaney Pat Walker Tony Wallace New signings so far are:- Adam Monaghan from amateur team St Patrick's Kevin Nicholl from Stranraer Bryan Prunty from Alloa Athletic Ryan Borris from Stirling Albion Robert Connolly has been promoted to the first team from the Under 19 side.
Scott Agnew signs for Dumbarton. Former Rangers youth player, who's been capped for Scotland at youth level. Comes with a big reputation as a crafty, creative left-footed midfielder and scored a highly impressive 13 goals for Stranraer last season from midfield.
Former Alloa Athletic goalkeeper Jamie Ewings and former Queens Park midfielder Martin McBride are added to Dumbarton's squad ahead of the new season. Ewings has impressed me when I've seen him in goal for opposition teams in the past, however, he was part of the Alloa team last year who were widely tipped to be promoted and ended up being relegated instead. McBride is a central midfielder and scored 8 goals in Division 3 for Queens Park last season. Challenge Cup first round draw has been made and Dumbarton will play Third Division East Stirlingshire at home. In the first round draw for the League Cup, Dumbarton have been drawn at home against First Division Dundee and in the Stirlingshire Cup, holders Dumbarton have been given a bye into the semi-finals. League fixtures are due out on 17th June 2011.
League fixtures have been released today and Sons start with an away tie at Airdrie United. Full list is here: http://www.dumbartonfootballclub.com/fixtures/
A further pre-season friendly has been added to the pre-season schedule with Sons heading away from home to face Clydebank on 21st July 2011. Other pre-season fixtures so far are 3 home ties on 9th July against Motherwell, 12th July against St Mirren and 19th July against Partick Thistle.
Former Hearts and Clyde player, Alan Lithgow, has joined Dumbarton today on a one year contract. Better known for his being fired by Hearts after being convicted of Lewd & Libidinous Behaviour for playing with himself in the street in front of 4 women. I am not a happy chicken about this signing.
We'll probably be playing Motherwell every pre-season now (like we do with St Mirren) as the two clubs have agreed a link-up. Pretty much a feeder club arrangement, we'll get Motherwell players on loan and they'll get first refusal on our talent. So far we've had Ross Forbes on loan (who was excellent and went straight into Motherwell's first team on his return), Gary Smith on loan (who never managed to force his way into the team much) and Jordan Halsman (who was very good and scored some cracking free kicks). Nicky Devlin, a right back and product of our prolific pro-youth system, has joined Motherwell from us.
If you're at a game at Strathclyde Homes Stadium at any point then look out for me. I'll be the good looking guy.
Pretty much anytime you're talking about an ex Jambo, you're going to deal with the sex offender issues.
Well I'll be up that way on Saturday. Recommend any good pubs close by the East rail station and by the ground?
The pub directly outside the Dumbarton East station is shite and actively discourages football support. Go to the bowling club directly across from the club, the stadium bar (if not wearing colours and willing to sit in the home end) or go into the town centre and hit the Counting House, it will have plenty of footy fans in and is a nice, modern boozer in the Wetherspoons mould.
Sons have signed former St Mirren pro-youth Graeme Ramage. Ramage appeared for the club on Saturday in our friendly against Motherwell, which ended in a 5 nil win for the beaten Scottish Cup finalists. Next friendlies scheduled are at home to Partick Thistle tomorrow night, away to Alloa Athletic in a closed door game, at home to St Mirren and then a trip to Holm Park to face Clydebank.
Sons lost 0-2 to St Mirren with goals from Steven Thomson and Gary Teale in the first half. A closed doors bounce game against Alloa Athletic is scheduled for this afternoon.
Sons beat Alloa Athletic 2-1 in a closed doors match at Alloa on Saturday with both Sons goals coming from a trialist striker.
jamooky u nut. he he he... lost my machine for three weeks .. just saw this one well done pete. getting caught up now.
Yes, we met, fell in love, spent a week together in wine country and then parted in order that the memory of our time wouldn't have a chance to fade.