Big up to the Sonstrust crew

Life has been busy since I returned from Scotland, so I haven't had a chance to say a proper online 'thanks' to the very, very fine people at the Sonstrust who made my two home games at SHS last month so enjoyable. OK, a scraped 1-1 against East Fife and a disappointing 1-2 defeat by Albion Rovers wasn't what any of us were wanting (1-0 last week away to Montrose was much more like it). But what a fabulous, friendly, enterprising spirit Dumbarton's small-and-perfectly-formed Trust has. Denise Currie (chair, pictured), Alan Findlay (secretary), Graeme Robertson (Sons View editor), Tommy Hughes (membership sec), Stephen Lynch (DFC director, commercial development) and the rest of the gang couldn't have made me - and anyone else passing through - more welcome. They all work remarkably hard to keep the Sons show on the road, and they do it for love not money. Well, that and a wee tipple or two.... :-) A special mention also to Club administration secretary Rowan Scott, who is charm itself. Life can be tough in the Irn Bru Scottish Football League Division 3, but DFC couldn't be in better hands.

Next March I hit the big birthday five-o. Yup, I know. Hard to believe in one so young, isn't it? Hopefully a joint match sponsorship with the Trust will be my way of celebrating both a chronological landmark and 38 years of following the team. We're looking at the details and possibilities as I write. There's almost 350 miles separating Dumbarton and Exeter, but the Strathclyde Homes Stadium is the place to be.

[Photo (c) and with acknowledgments to Donald Fullarton. Buy his pics, folks.]