Frustration for Scotland

Scotland's European Championship qualifying campaign began in Lithuania this evening with a pretty reasonable performance but a disappointing 0-0 result. The Scots dominated the game overall, but Kenny Miller looked lonely up front for for significant periods of the second half, and James McFadden, held back as an 'impact player', was unable to work a piece of magic for the visitors in his 22 minutes on the pitch.

The other decision that may surprise observers was the non-appearance of Kris Boyd, given that Scotland consistently lacked punch up front. the Scots looked solid at the back, albeit against lower level opposition, but failed to create and take chances, even when the Lithuanians visibly tired. Steven Naismith had two of the best chances on 59 and 77 minutes for the Scots, but the Rangers player hesitated at crucial moments. Lack of decisive quality and good first-touches in and around the box ended up being the crucial factor, indeed.

In his post-match interview, manager Craig Levein (a figure well known here in Edinburgh) complained about persistent niggling fouls from Lithuania. The referee certainly seemed too tolerant at times, but the the Scots, despite their good shape and structure, failed to capitalise on their superiority. It's as simple as that.

On a personal footnote: it was great to see a Scotland match on terrestrial television after many years living in England, where the other home nations are largely ignored. If it was not for a work trip out of the country I would certainly have been at Hampden next Tuesday (7 September) for the game against Liechtenstein, well beaten by Spain tonight. As to the outcome of the group, the Czech Republic could yet hold the key. 
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Six of the worst?

Limbering up before the storm

What to say after your team has just been humped 6-0 and looked all over the place in the process? For the fan it's painful but not too difficult. You whinge a lot, call for somebody or other to be fired, and then speculate how it might all be different if you were picking the team, running the dressing room and controlling the transfers. Then again, you're not. Nor are you taking all the crap that goes with that when things are proceeding badly on the pitch.

After yesterday's day out at Methil, Dumbarton boss Jim Chapman commented, according to the Daily Record :  “I won’t comment on my team’s performance as they don’t deserve one. I want to praise to East Fife who showed great willingness, hard work and quality.” No doubt that will attract a lot of criticism, though it seems not unreasonable to me. Fans went away saying much the same thing. We complain when modern bosses come out with contentless media-speak. But when they're forthright, we don't much like that either.

Dumbarton press forward at Methil

After a performance like Sons gave yesterday, you can't possibly say something isn't wrong. But angry remonstrations, immediate demands to 'sack the manager', and quick-fix solutions aren't the answer. I've seen eight cup, friendly and league matches since last month, and this was by far the worst performance so far (though I missed the second half collapse at Forfar, which may have been the first manifestation of the symptoms we saw at New Bayview). Sometimes we've played good, flowing football while lacking bite in the final quarter - especially in the area. Defensive frailties have been evident at crucial moments. Dumbarton have some good players, some young promising players, some players who are clearly struggling. Points have been thrown away against Livingston and Ayr. Yesterday, everything that could go wrong went wrong and the Fifers took their opportunities well. The chasm looked to be one of confidence and cohesion.

Throughout the game, which was obviously dire from a Sons point of view, most of the away support got behind the team. But a minority used the occasion to unleash a torrent of abuse - not least at the manager as he came off the pitch at half-time and full-time. If they'd received so much as a wagging finger or cross word back, they'd probably have been complaining to the SFA that they'd been "offended" and demanding disciplinary action. Sorry, I don't buy it. Constant heckling does nothing to help the side. Quite the reverse. Nor is it evidence of a superior loyalty... just a lack of maturity and self-control. We've all been there. Hopefully we've grown out of it.  

What unfolded on the park yesterday wasn't a true and definitive measure of Dumbarton for 2010-11.  It's precisely four matches into a 36 game term. It took seven games before we won last season. Peterhead and Stenhousemuir are struggling at the moment too, it's not as if we are irreversibly adrift. We also have new signings who need to bed in. Gary Smith and Mark Gilhaney look promising. I've liked what I've seen of Creaney and Wilson, too. Derek Carcary and Andy Geggan have undoubted grit and flair.  The 19s are doing well, but lack experience. Tough times are an invitation to resolve, not panic. And no, that's not complacency. It's realism.

With the international break next weekend and the experimental opportunity of the Stirlingshire Cup the the squad and the manager have some time to sort out their difficulties and come back for a fresh attempt at getting the league campaign kick started on 11 September. I hope they get the chance to do so. We've taken a bad beating. Giving each other six of the worst won't make anyone feel better.
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Up for the Cup once more

Nicky Devlin launches Sons onto the attack again

A youthful Dumbarton team got back to winning ways on a sunny evening in Larbert tonight, claiming a place in the Stirlinghsire Cup semi-final courtesy of goals either side of the break against Stenhousemuir. The Warriors hit back just before the final whistle with a finely taken strike, but by that time Sons had done enough to ensure victory. On occasions the match ebbed and flowed pleasingly across Ochilview's synthetic surface. But for much of the time both sides struggled to maintain possession and to impose a lasting shape on the match.

Dumbarton certainly owe a debt of thanks to 'keeper Michael White, who pulled off two exceptional reaction saves in the second half. His reward was loud applause from Sons' fans ... and one wry shout of "hold it next time!"  Ryan Metcalf and Tony Wallace got their names onto the score sheet for the visitors, with Iain Chisholm being the provider on each occasion. Overall, this was an enjoyable evening of  football following the results misery of the last few weeks.

Credit also to Stenhousemuir for producing a programme to mark the occasion. This includes a report of the Under-19s match between the two sides on Sunday, which Dumbarton won 3-2, details of previous Stirlingshire Cup encounters, and a complete list of winners since 1883/4. Sons joined the regional association and hence the Cup in the 1939/40 season, and have won the tournament on 14 occasions since then - including a purple patch between 1980 and 1990 (six titles) and last year's triumph (again versus Stenousemuir).
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Nothing in the Ayr tonight, sadly

Somerset Park?  Goodness, I must be back in the southwest again. Well, not exactly... more like the late 1960s, and that's not meant in a disparaging way. Measured by the standards of "the modern football experience" Ayr United's home is definitely a throwback to an earlier era, but that suits me fine. Being able to stand and wander around three sides of a terrace is an unheard of luxury these days. At least, in the places I've been living recently in Another Country. That and a good local pub lunch beforehand set me up well for the match.

The game itself it didn't exactly set the world on fire. In reality there wasn't a great deal separating the teams, other than the slip that created an unfortunate own goal for Paul Maxwell. Dumbarton had more of the possession, and thwarted the Honest Men in midfield. But we were left wondering where the breakthrough might come from - and in the end, once more, it didn't. Derek Carcary was held back as a super-sub, to the annoyance of many of the fans, and it almost (but didn't quite) pay off. A double strike from Del brought out an equally impressive double save from Ayr's Alan Main.

This is the third Sons defeat in a row as far as the league campaign is concerned. It should have been a point this afternoon, as against Livingston at home. You get the feeling that when the team gets a result there will be a turnaround, but it is needed sooner rather than later if morale is not to drag Dumbarton down further.
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A very small moment in history

If you look at the little be-scarfed figure third from the aisle on the right-hand side of the back row, in this characteristically fine picture  (c) by Donald Fullarton, you will be looking at a man enjoying his first Dumbarton home league game as a season ticket holder. That's me, after a 41 year wait. OK, the result wasn't quite what I would have wished for. Sons played some good football, but lost the game (to ex-DFC man Iain Russell - of course) some 12 minutes from full time. Frankly, it should have been a draw, and it would have been no injustice if Dumbarton had edged the match, having enjoyed superiority for major chunks of it. But this is fitba not Hollywood. Annoying. But still, for one supporter, a great day out, with hopefully many more to come.
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Time to get going again

First published in Sons View, 14 August 2010, Dumbarton -v- Livingston

Over the past couple of seasons, Dumbarton have been slow starters – but have still ended up in strong positions, winning the Third Division title in 2008/9 with an extraordinary run of victories, and claiming a pretty respectable sixth place in our first season back in the Second Division last term. Things could have turned out even better in May with just a few improved results, illustrating that the margin between triumph and trial is as small as it is crucial.

The temptation to predict how things are going to turn out after just one or two games is strong in modern football, but can prove as illusory as false optimism. It’s worth bearing that in mind as we try to gain some perspective on recent events in anticipation of the first game of the new campaign at the Rock.

For sure, last week’s 4-1 defeat away at newly-promoted Forfar in the opening game of the 2010/11 season was obviously a huge disappointment to Sons fans, especially following that 5-1 Co-Operative Insurance Cup humbling by Queen of the South at Palmerston. But the performances against Morton in the Alba Cup, and against Partick Thistle and St Mirren in pre-season friendlies, show that Dumbarton have the capacity and the potential to be an attractive, competitive side.

The last two games have obviously posed serious defensive questions, which Jim and the boys will have been working on over the past few days. The quest for more decisiveness in the box is another challenge for a side bristling with youth, capable of pushing the ball around well in midfield, and galvanised by the flashes of inspiration summed up in Derek Carcary’s last three goals – which have all been top class.

With the arrival of Livingston here at SHS this afternoon, the league campaign will feel well and truly underway. Sons undoubtedly face a stiff test from the team who many pundits have been confidently predicting will work their way through the divisions and back to the SPL once more. As Alloa showed against Livi last Saturday, however, this will be no one-team league. Indeed, it may prove to be the toughest Second Division in several years.

From the outset it looked as if last term’s Third Division Champions were going to run away with the match at Recreation Park, following a two minute opener headed in by Kyle Jacobs, and former Sons’ man Iain Russell’s doubling of the Lions’ lead on 21 minutes. But the Wasps epitomised the ‘never give up’ spirit which is essential at this level of the game, and in the end they snatched what observers say was a well-deserved point at the impressive Almondvale Stadium.

Today, both sides will be highly motivated to go out and find their initial victory (and in Dumbarton’s case first point) of the season. For Iain Russell it will be another return to the stadium where, as a Sons striker, he claimed 27 goals in 92 appearances between 2003 and 2006.

A close season signing for Livi, we last saw him here on 3 April, when Sons recorded a 2-1 win over eventual champions Stirling Albion. Hopefully that’s a good precedent for this afternoon. Incidentally, ex-Son Allan Moore gave Iain a championship medal in acknowledgment of his contribution, even though he hadn’t technically played enough games to qualify for one. We hope there will be no prizes for anyone but Dumbarton today, though.

I’m anticipating this game with particular relish, as it will be my first at SHS as a season ticket holder: the realisation of a 41-year ambition achieved by a family decision to relocate from way down south to Edinburgh a month ago.

Since my arrival I’ve managed to take in four Dumbarton friendly and cup games. I also took a quick mid-week trip to Tynecastle to see Hearts get canned by Wolves, and as I was working in London last weekend I substituted that Forfar debacle for watching Fulham beat Werder Bremen 5-1.

That’s definitely a record number of friendlies for me, and the records are bound to keep tumbling every week at the Rock after I get past the ‘five home games’ stage – the most number of Sons games I’ve managed to see in one season before, due to restrictions of geography and finance.

Naturally I’m as keen as anyone for Dumbarton to show real progress in 2010/11. But even in tougher times it’s going to take a long while before the sheer pleasure of getting to see Sons play on a regular basis fades. Fingers crossed all round for this campaign, then.
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Farewell, Adam Stansfield

It's important to remember that beyond the hype, banter, bile and bollocks that often surrounds modern football, what really matters is human life in all its glory and messiness. So my thoughts and wishes are particularly with Exeter City fans this week, following news of the tragic death of striker Adam Stansfield on 10 August 2010. He was 31 years of age, and had been suffering from bowel cancer. It all happened remarkably quickly: abdominal pains in March, a dagnosis in April, a young man's future snuffed out within four and a half months. How precious and frail life is.

I saw Adam in action on numerous occasions over the past few years, the Grecians being my local side until I moved first to Birmingham and now to Edinburgh. He also featured several times in my regular matchday magazine column, naturally. 'Stanno' also made over 110 appearances for Yeovil Town and Hereford United between 2001-6, prior to his Exeter move.

The English Football League Division One game that Exeter would have been played on Saturday 14 August against Dagenham & Redbridge has been understandably postponed while people come to terms with the loss. Up at Dumbarton, we are unfortunately well acquainted with grief, following the awful death of Sons' captain Gordon Lennon in a road accident on 6 June 2009. I'm sure everyone associated with the Club would join me in sending sincere condolences to all Adam's family and friends, near and far.
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Fulham fill their boots

Fulham press forward again

It's not often that Alex Ferguson gets to share the same stadium as me. But he did so today at Craven Cottage, where I ventured in the midst of a London work trip to watch the pride of Fulham ease to a 5-1 pre-season victory against top German side Werder Bremen. The Bundesliga team struck first and looked well in control during an uneven first half. But after the break the floodgates opened for the West London side, with chants of 'Bobby Zamora for England" apparently reaching Three Lions' boss Fabio Capello's ears. I'm not much concerned with the fate of Ingerland, but I'm certainly glad for Bobby. I remember him back in his Brighton & Hove Albion days, and since then he has worked his way up the football pyramid with a considerable amount of hard work and application. He deserves the limelight.

This afternoon, as crashing rain gradually gave way to some bursts of sunshine before the grey set in again, Zoltan Gera scored an elegant second-half hat-trick while Mark Hughes' new charges came from behind in an impressive, if not over-taxing display. It was Zamora who had evened things up eight minutes after the restart, however, and he added to his credit rating with some fine one-touch assists. Fergie had come to watch Mesut Ozil, by the way. He never really shone for Bremen, but Claudio Pizarro's opener was stunning.

Stars in the afternoon, that's what you want to see. Especially if your main diet is the Scottish second division.  Nice programme, too - if a little 'corporate'. As for that nearby pub sign; well it spells out just how friendly it is down by the River Thames... unless you're on the receiving end of a five goal humbling, that is.
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Hearts of darkness

Peering through the gloom at Tynecastle

Living in Leith (natural Hibernian territory), as I now do, sneaking off to Tynecastle is not something you do without a few furtive looks over your shoulder. Or a pair of dark glasses. Well, it was a sunny evening when I set off for Gorgie. By the time I got in to the ground to watch Hearts take on English foes Wolverhampton Wanderers in a pre-season friendly, however, my mood was definitely darker.

After 50 minutes or so being made to hang around outside, waiting for an unnecessary queue to evaporate, I'd missed the first 19 minutes of the game and the only two goals (Wolves won 2-0, with embarrassing ease). Thanks to a 'family friendly' 7pm start and the daft decision by the Club to stop home supporters getting tickets on the gate, we all had to hang around while ticket-office operators slowly scrolled their computer screens to find numbered seats. Yes, for a non-packed friendly. Away fans, I later discovered, had been able to hand over their hard-earned cash at the turnstile. As a result they got to see Wolves claim two cheaply conceded goals, including a penalty, in the first half - while hundreds of locals were left outside. Not a good way to encourage people to come back or bring friends and family along. So, hello Tynecastle; and farewell. When I'm not watching Dumbarton and have the chance, I'll be down Easter Road instead.

As for the part of the match I did get to see: it was pretty but poor - an all-too-typical training game in which, much as they huffed and puffed, a slightly under-strength Heart of Midlothian could not get anywhere near the stratosphere occupied by a side that finished just above relegation in the EPL last season. Not a great testimony to to the SPL, I'm afraid. There wasn't a great deal of goalmouth action, either. And what there was I strained to see: because after making me hang around for the best part of an hour, the Hearts admin kindly put me behind a pillar in the 'main' stand. Pity, because the rest of the ground is great, and there was acres of space across the way on the cantilevered side.

(Oh, and it was good to have the kids on the pitch at half-time, to receive some applause and encouragement. That was definitely the bright spot of the occasion.)
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Handy win for the Doonhamers

Famously, Queen of the South are the only football team whose name appears in the Bible. It's a synonym for the queen of Sheba. As far as Dumbarton are concerned, however, Queens certainly didn't appear to have read the script, romping to a 5-1 victory on an intermittently sunny and rainy Saturday afternoon in Dumfies.

This really was a stroll in Palmerston Park for the First Division side, who were two-nil up at half time and claimed another three after the break, punctuated by a beautifully worked and very well-taken goal from Sons' Derek Carcary.

At the beginning of the second period, Dumbarton started to play some, attractive flowing football, but could not find a way through the Doonhamers' defence. After conceding the third goal to Queens they powered back, and following Carcary's fine strike on 58 minutes (shades of his two wonder goals in the friendly against Dunfermline)  it looked for a short while as if a revival was in swing. But number four from Kenny Brannigan's side was definitely 'game over', and the fifth goal almost academic.

This is the third season in a row where Sons have taken a pasting from higher league opposition in the the Co-operative Insurance Cup. The real controversy in this one surrounded the penalty given against Dumbarton on 27 minutes, which effectively killed the game off. According to the BBC this was for a trip. But the referee clearly signalled a handball, and it seems that Ben Gordon was the culprit. Then again, Sons fans with an unimpeded view (myself included) were sure they saw a Queens player get his mitt to the ball - and Derek Holmes looked duly sheepish for a moment, before sweeping the ball into the net for his brace. It's safe to say that referee Brian Winter will not be on any Dumbarton Christmas card lists this year. He enjoyed a distinctive line in verbal encouragment from the Sons' faithful for the rest of the match.

The photograph, by the way, shows Dumbarton warming up before the game. It was only after the kick-off that things started to go downhill. 

Ah, well. We all hoped the season would start with a flourish in Dumfies. We were wrong. It really kicks off against Forfar Athletic at Station Park on Saturday 7 August. I'll be down in London that weekend, sadly, but duly re-installed at SHS for the opening home game against Livingston the following week. Can't wait.
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A day out in the borders

Football is not just about arriving, it's about the journey. That's inevitably true for away games in the lower leagues - especially the ones where you end up getting tanked. But that's another story (above). This one is about a very pleasant day out in the Scottish Borders, courtesy of the three person Edinburgh Sons' Supporters club and an enjoyable armchair-bound light lunch at the Aston Hotel on the outskirts of Dumfies. Definitely recommended. As you can see (top picture), our mode of transport was a bit more comfortable than the trusty Dumbarton bus, though presumably the view, with its heather, sheep and rolling hills, was equally scenic. This is not a part of the world I have much familiarity with, but it really is stunning. I shall be back.

As for Queen of the South's Palmerston Park ground: it's a tidy little 6,412 venue (3,509 seated), and the pitch is very good indeed. Bowling green perfect on this occasion. I was required to relinquish my plastic water bottle before entry, but the steward was suitably polite and apologetic. Not what you'd get south of the border. He explained that a couple of years ago a few away fans had decided to, um, "re-fill" their empty bottles and discharge them at the home side; hence the restrictive rule. Welcome to the First Division, eh?

Thankfully the hospitality inside was rather more congenial. The QoS programme is attractively produced, and the all-seater single tier Galloway News stand on the east side of the ground affords good shelter for the away support and no lengthy queues for refreshments. Apart from the result, it was a most enjoyable outing, and another Scottish senior ground ticked off my list. 

As for an omen for the rest of the Sons' season, what better visual encouragement could you ask for than the sunset over the bus stop at Hunter's Tryst in Edinburgh, for the last leg of my journey home? "Every cloud has a multi-coloured lining just waiting to burst through," I told myself determinedly, as I recollected that fifth and final Doonhamers' goal...

(Those seeking even more trainspottery information about Palmerston Park could consult the estimable Scottish Football Ground Guide, presumably while waiting for their life to arrive in the morning mail. *Cough* Only kiddin'. )
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Off to Palmerston

The tidings that Dumbarton have signed 19-year-old St Mirren striker Jon McShane on a 6-month loan deal, and that he's going straight into the squad to face First Division Queen of the South in the opening round Co-operative Insurance Cup tie this afternoon, is good news. As I mentioned in my Clydebank match comment, Sons have created very little in the box during the pre-season friendlies, even when beating the likes of Partick Thistle 2-1. Hopefully McShane, though young (and that's a theme with this squad) will sharpen things up front. On my way...
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World Cup memories

No, not the recent affair in South Africa, which was a spectacular occasion (though not so much for the footbal), but the first ever such occasion, when Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2 to win the Jules Rimet trophy on this day 80 years ago in 1930. The match turned out to be a repeat of the Olympic Final in 1928. Apparently some team from Britain won in 1966 on the 30 July, too. But I'm hazy on the details.
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Not banking on it

The first meeting in nine years between Dumbarton and the re-tread version of Clydebank at SHS last night was a pretty low-key affair on a pleasant, sunny evening. The aspirant juniors showed some purpose, however, and things began to look more interesting in the second half after the Bankies' Mark Hailstones latched on to a penalty strike from Steven Dymock which had been blocked by Sons 'keeper Michael White.

From that point on Dumbarton pressed harder and grabbed an equaliser courtesy of a fine 25-yard strike from Martin McNiff - whose home shirt I am sponsoring this season. Clearly a vital factor. Following the break, both sides had predictably started to bring on the substitutes. Sons' three trialists were among the first to leave the fray, having not made a huge impact.

Overall, the game was rather directionless - with occasional flashes of skill, but neither side coming up with a plan to break down the other. Dumbarton were unable to turn their general superiority into territorial or penetrative advantage. Neither side managed more than a couple of half-hearted shots on goal, and as on  previous friendly outings, Sons created nothing of significance in the area. In theory, this should have been men versus boys. In practice, it was boys versus slightly older boys.

These are still early days for the reshaping Dumbarton. There have been good performances against St Mirren and Morton. The players moving in from youth development looking promising, but relatively untested. They've done well coming on later in the match, but have struggled to impose themselves when coming on from the start. The real test is to come.
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Back on home turf

First published in Sons View, 25 July 2010, Dumbarton -v- Morton

‘The Far Post’ (as in: the title of my column in Sons View) is no more. As of Wednesday 14 July 2010 it just got a whole lot closer. Edinburgh, in fact. For me, 40 years, 7 months and 2 days of being a Sons supporter based down in the south of England (not counting a short sojourn in the Midlands) came to an end as I crossed the border by train at around about 9.45pm that evening.

So here I am – finally living in Scotland, clutching my shiny new Dumbarton season ticket, and finding myself the newest member of the Edinburgh Sons supporters’ club, along with noble proggie editor Graeme Robertson and Glencorse golf-pro legend Cliffe Jones. Just imagine, all those opinions in one small car. Frightening!

Seriously though, being a Sons regular has been a life-long ambition for me – albeit one I never seriously expected to fulfil until retirement, which is technically 13 years hence… though the way things are going, many of us will be struggling for a crust way beyond the age of 65.

But life is constantly surprising. Six months ago we had no immediate thoughts of moving. Then Carla and I spotted just the place we were looking for while staying with friends in March. We realised we had loads of Edinburgh contacts, both personal and professional, and that it was where we most wanted to be. So we decided to ‘go for it’. Four months later, and here we are.

For me the distant Scottish roots on my mother’s side have always tugged strongly at the heartstrings, and I’ve long hankered to live north of the border. It feels like a homecoming already, but there are still adjustments to be made – and I’m not just talking about the Scottish-English dictionary! In football terms, things look pretty different, too.

My beloved (who has barely a fiba bone in her body) already has to acclimatise to a rather different regime to my ‘Far Post’ one. That involved regular but infrequent forays up to Dumbarton – the cost of each trip being roughly equivalent to the price of my new season ticket – plus maybe a dozen trips to my local team: in recent years, Exeter City.

Now I’m close enough to the Strathclyde Homes Stadium not to need a ‘local interest’. But on the downside, from the family viewpoint anyway, there are 18 home fixtures already in the diary, plus the looming attraction of that hitherto uncharted territory known as ‘away games’. Some of them will be nearer than the home ones, of course. The others will depend on domestic and work commitments.

Today’s Alba cup-tie with Morton is one that I couldn’t fit onto the calendar, unfortunately. But I’ll be following the text and Twitter updates loyally – just like the old days. After a positive pre-season build up, it’s the first big test for Sons ahead of next month’s Division Two opener at Station Park against newly promoted Forfar.

Jim Chapman’s freshly assembled squad will take some time to bed in. But there have been some positive indicators in the friendlies, especially that highly creditable 2-1 victory over Partick Thistle, and a 5-2 win in a ‘closed doors’ encounter with Queen’s Park.

My arrival in Scotland happily coincided with the visit of Oxford United, and to add to the English connection, I found myself parked next to Dean King – a fellow Englishmen who’s been a regular at the Rock for the past few seasons. There’s a growing little band of Sons Sassenachs at SHS.

Unfortunately, Dumbarton ended up on the end of a 2-0 defeat against the ‘Us’, a well resourced full-time outfit who are determined to make their mark in the English Football League after returning there (following four seasons’ absence) on the back of a blaze of Conference play-off glory at Wembley.

After a shaky start, with the wind unsettling them all over the park, Oxford soon showed their class, dominating the first half. They then faced a spell of Dumbarton pressure at the beginning of the second period. In truth, however, United could easily have claimed another couple of goals, as Sons failed to pose any substantial threat up front and looked occasionally disjointed at the back.

What you notice about lower league English sides is that they’re fast, fit, well-built and constantly pressure the ball. Plenty of lessons for Jim and the boys there, then. Hopefully Sons will have moved up a further gear after the visit of St Mirren. A Cup win isn’t essential, but it would be a great tonic for the campaign ahead.
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Being friendly everywhere but the pitch

First published in Sons View, 13, 17 & 19 July 2010, Dumbarton -v- Partick Thistle, Oxford United, St Mirren

So the South African summer football extravaganza has come and gone, with England dipping out of the cup faster than my teabag this morning, and here we are again watching Dumbarton limber up for a new season via an interesting bunch of friendlies.

I say “limber up”, in a way that suggests mild exercise, but the July schedule actually looks pretty packed. There are seven games this month, five of them here at the Rock, plus one closed-doors outing. That includes the Challenge Cup encounter with local rivals Morton (almost a tradition now!) and a Co-Operative Insurance Cup tie away at Queen of the South.

Following pre-season training, where the new lads have a had a chance to get the feel of Sons set-up, things got underway with a trip to Annan Athletic, now well settled in the Third Division and looking to make a bid for progress up the League. That sets the scene for what is going to be a challenging trio of games against top opposition – Partick Thistle, who will be hoping that 2010-11 will see a revival in their quest for SPL status; Oxford United, back in the English Football League following four years’ absence; and Premier boys St Mirren, who we know all-too-well from Cup and friendly exploits in recent years.

Then in the midst of Dumbarton’s trophy-hunting games comes a visit from former rivals, neighbours and indeed guests (the old Bankies outfit spent six years playing ‘home’ games at Boghead Park, followed by Cappielow), Clydebank. Billy McGhie’s outfit, re-formed in 2003, claimed a play-off spot in Scottish Junior Football Association West Region Division One last term. They also ended up Central League Cup Winners in front of an impressive 8,122 spectators at Rugby Park.

With the Jags and the Buddies in the friendlies roster, gaffer Jim Chapman has gone for some continuity with the shape of previous pre-season outings. But there are changes, too – including top-and-tail matches against lower level (though not to be underestimated) opposition.

Last year, Sons endured a torrid July after the terrible loss of captain Gordon Lennon, and then a deep dip at the beginning of the Second Division campaign. Those events framed a raft of top-level ‘friendly’ opposition resulting in 5-0 drubbings by Dunfermline and Middlesbrough respectively, fifteen goals conceded and none scored in five matches, plus two defeats in the Annan Cup. Our minds were naturally elsewhere, on Guido and his family, but it wasn’t exactly a morale-booster.

This time our English opponents are from way down south and League Two, rather than a newly-relegated northern EPL side stuffed full of foreign talent. Having spent all of my 52 years in England so far (though that will hopefully have changed by the time you read this), I’ve seen Oxford United quite a few times – and make no mistake, the U’s will be tough opponents.

Though they have been languishing in non-league football for the past four seasons – far longer than anyone predicted – Oxford United are a club with a proud history and a large infrastructure. In 1985-6 they were in the top flight of English football, won the League Cup at Wembley (beating Queens Park Rangers 3-0) and would have qualified for the UEFA Cup the following season, had it not been for the ban on English teams resulting from the previous year's Heysel Stadium disaster.

So when the U’s crashed out of League football in 2005-56, following a defeat to Leyton Orient which saw the London club win promotion (I still have the T-Shirt, as Orient are a team supported by several of my friends), they not only saw the end of 44-years continuous presence among the professional elite, but were also the first team to have lost League status having previously won a major trophy.

Oxford draw much of their support from the local town, but they are also boosted by university students, too. Their 12,500-seater Kassam Stadium has hosted between 5,000 and 7,000 people for Blue Square Premier games on a pretty regular basis, breaking Conference attendance records on the way – at least, before the arrival of Luton Town.

Now the Headington outfit, who have survived a range of financial and management turmoil, are back where they and their followers believe they belong, and they’re determined to make the most of it. A good showing in Scotland is no doubt part of their current plans. Dumbarton will give them a warm welcome, but Sons fans will be hoping that this does not extend to an excess of generosity on the pitch!
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Football's finance secrecy league

A leading global development agency (one I've had a long association with in various ways) has just published a fascinating report on financial secrecy, tax havens and offshore ownership in football - as part of an initiative to expose the way tax avoidance is keeping millions in poverty, as well as imperiling community-based football clubs. Blowing the Whistle: Time’s Up for Financial Secrecy (*.PDF Adobe Acrobat file) has been produced by Christian Aid in association with the Football Supporters’ Federation and Supporters Direct, to highlight the damage that financial secrecy can cause, and to demand urgent reform. To arrive at the Football Secrecy League, Christian Aid endeavoured to find the true owners of every club in the English, Scottish and Welsh leagues, as well as the Irish League in Northern Ireland and the League of Ireland in the Republic of Ireland.
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