Close to the action

My midweek venture to Dagenham & Redbridge, to see old locals Exeter City the other night, meant a well-located seat in the Marcus James Stand at what used to be called the Glyn Hopkin Stadium, is now the even more prosaic London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Stadium, and is still known by many East London fans as Victoria Road. In an unexpected act of generosity, the Daggers let the away support use the newest and best part of their ground, out of which the plastic and canvas players' tunnel is extended... ensuring that the home team arrive onto the pitch to a rousing chorus of boos. Curious. Still, you get a very good behind-the-goal view, hence my small snippet of video action. Sadly, it isn't possible to get a shot like this at Dumbarton. Thankfully, though, many second and third division Scottish grounds still have terraces you can wander around. My first choice is to be able to patrol the ground and view proceedings on the pitch from a number of angles during the course of the game. Failing that, pleasant modern facilities such as those at Dagenham are just fine. Mind you, they charged £22 for the privilege, Ouch! I know you need the money, but it's only League One you're in, fellas...
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Wasps lose their sting

A goal-mouth scramble

It was a gorgeous sunny day at Recreation Park, but the beauty of the weather was hardly reflected on the pitch. Dumbarton's trip to Alloa Athletic turned out to be a disappointing and disjointed affair, save for the valuable point it accumulated for Sons, who remain perched perilously near the foot of SFL Division Two. 'Keeper Michael White was undoubtedly my man of the match, pulling off a number of good saves and handling well under pressure.

The Wasps had more of the chances, such as they were. But the home side will be disappointed that they never capitalised on a greater sense of purpose and direction. In the event, they floated like a bee and stung like a butterfly. As for Dumbarton,  we scraped barely more than a couple of half-hearted efforts, and Derek Carcary, who showed a couple of flashes of inspiration, came on too late to make much difference for Sons.

Still, having conceded eleven goals on our previous three away outings, that clean sheet can be taken as a significant boost. As the old football saying has it, grinding out results when you're not playing well is an important attribute in any winning (or in this case, surviving) season. Thankfully Alloa is a friendly ground to visit. So it was a good day out, even if the game itself never ignited. Let's hope the continued flourishing of Sons' youth set up is reflected in a more positive display from the first team against Brechin City at the Strathclyde Homes Stadium next Saturday.
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Travelling in hope

Off to Alloa today, to see if the mighty Dumbarton can add to their goals and points tally after finally breaking the 'duck' at home against Stenhousemuir last weekend. As Alan Findlay points out in his match preview, Sons won three of the four clashes between the two teams last season, including both games at Recreation Park. It's likely to be tougher this time round, though. The Wasps have made a good start to their campaign, tucked in just one point behind leaders Livingston in the Second Division, and have nine points more than us.

Mind you, I have yet to see a team that has really impressed me in this division yet. Even full-timers Livi have looked less than overwhelming, despite the pre-season hype. Nonetheless, they will likely improve as the weeks march on, and their superior resources will probably see them claim promotion. As for the rest, no one has convinced yet.

Meanwhile, the priority for Dumbarton is to gain some momentum and move away from the danger zone at the foot of the table. In a ten-team league you can never rest on your laurels. At the moment we have no laurels at all. So the initial task is clear.

According to the BBC, Alloa boss Allan Maitland has more than 20 players to pick from for this encounter. Goalkeeper Jamie Ewings is fit again. Also back on duty are midfielder Jason Thomson and strikers Dougie Wilson and Andy Scott. It will be interesting to see which way Sons gaffer Jim Chapman goes this time. I hope we might get danger man Derek Carcary on at the beginning, but wouldn't bet on it.
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"We're no' bottom anymore..."

A midfield tussle at the Rock

Well, it wasn't exactly pretty, but Dumbarton have at last broken their 2010/11 Second Division jinx, and a dismal run of four defeats, with a 1-0 win over Stenhousemuir at SHS yesterday afternoon. Match winner Derek Carcary was perhaps unlucky not to claim a brace, after the first of two bursting runs through the Warriors' defence in the last ten minutes of the game was wrongly flagged offside by referee Craig Charleston. The officials didn't have the best of days, especially if you were a home supporter. Ten bookings, a sending off and verbal warnings for both managers was excessive given the reality of the game.

In truth, Stenny had more of the chances overall, especially in the first half of a scrappy and uneven contest. The weather veered from sunny to cloudy, warm to wet. So did the match. Before the break Dumbarton central defender Stirling Smith, on an initial month's loan from Aberdeen, had a chance to put pressure on the visitors from a free kick, and Scott Chaplain was frustrated when his shot was blocked after a darting, skilful foray on the edge of the box. Among those denied at the other end was ex-Son Ross Clark, who helped the team to its 2008/9 Third Division championship.

Pre-match warm-up

After the break, Dumbarton applied more pressure on Stenhousemuir, but looked occasionally vulnerable to counter attacks and set plays. There were a couple of narrow escapes and scrambled clearances. Hard working Iain Chisolm denied another former Son, winger Stevie Murray, with a courageous, well-timed tackle. Michael White in goal made a pair of outstanding saves, and right at the death held firmly onto a low, swerving shot. In theory this should have been no great problem, but it occurred at a crucial moment when nerves were jangling, and could have lost Sons two points if there had been a spill in front of an oncoming Warriors' striker.

So there were certainly some anxiety-provoking moments. All told, however, this was a much more solid performance than the one that resulted in collapse away against East Fife two weeks ago. Hopefully the win will boost Sons' confidence, which seemed to ebb and flow throughout the game, and now needs to be rebuilt throughout a young squad recovering from a poor start and looking to move on to better things.

Meanwhile, Dumbarton now sit in ninth place, within reach of mid-table security with a couple more decent results.
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Scenes from a day out at the Rock

Football is a social occasion as well as a sporting one. My home matches involve a 120-mile round car trip from East to West, Edinburgh to Dumbarton, courtesy of Sons View programme editor Graeme Robertson and golf pro Cliffe Jones (who I particularly have to thank for the crested shirt I'm wearing in the new profile pic). We like to call it 'the Optimist Express'. Or something like that...

The Embra Massive usually arrive around 12.30pm, which allows time to catch up with friends old and new. This Saturday that included a spot of impromptu photography for young Lewis McPhee and his uncle Iain, along with DFC mascot Pellie the Elephant - who has been on best behaviour since his return to action at the Strathclyde Homes Stadium. (Sorry, Caroline, the one with you in it didn't come out).

From time-to-time I've sold Sons View at both the home and away ends, as well as writing for it. But leading the dedicated regulars in the sales force is Denise Currie, the former Sonstrust chair, who rarely misses a customer. Here she is in action before the home game against Stenhousemuir - one we really had to win... and did.

As you can see, the back row in block N had a pretty tense time for most of the match. Minutes after this photograph was taken, however, we were celebrating in style, following Sons' super sub Derek Carcary's beautifully taken 77th minute winner. The last 13 minutes and the goodly chunk of time added on, largely occasioned by the nasty looking knock sustained by Jon McShane and his subsequent stretchering off, certainly took its toll. Best wishes to Jon, who was clearly in agony.

With Club historian and (more to the point of this anecdote) announcer Jim McAllister unusually elsewhere this afternoon, Trust director Alan Findlay leant his sonorous tones to the task of proclaiming some good news, for once. An away trip to high-flying Alloa is next up on the calendar. A result at Recreation Park would amount to a real turnaround for the Sons.
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The legend of Stein

Stein c.1978, on the training ground

It's 25 years yesterday since the death of legendary manager Jock Stein. Though hardly a fan of the Old Firm, my earliest footballing memory (the first match that had me glued to the telly, the season before I saw Jimmy Sirrell's Brentford, my grandfather's team, take on his soon-to-be charges Notts County in my debut live game, at Griffin Park) was Celtic's 1967 European Cup triumph on 25 May.

The 'Lions of Lisbon' triumphed 2-1 over favourites Internazionale Milan in front of some 70,000 people at the Portuguese National Stadium in Lisbon, to become the first British club to take the ultimate European honour. It certainly helped to forge my love of Scottish football. Two years later, having dallied with Manchester United, tempted by the wizardry of my boyhood hero Denis Law, I cast my lot in with Dumbarton... and the rest is history - albeit of the obscure kind!

In terms of managerial giants, Stein is definitely up there with Brian Clough. Though an equally larger-than-life figure, he was far more considered and restrained. Writer and academic Bob Crampsey, also sadly no longer with us (and perhaps the leading historian and advocate of the Scottish game in recent times), once said of Jock that he was "the most powerful intelligence I ever met". In a strange way the difference between the two is encapsulated by the fact that they both managed an unruly Leeds United for 44 days. But whereas Clough's  was a reign that ended in ignominy, Stein left to take the reins of Scotland. Poignantly, his passing came at a moment of genuine triumph: under his tutelage, the Scots team had secured a 1-1 draw with Wales at Ninian Park to clinch a World Cup play-off place against Australia, with the prize at stake a place at the 1986 finals in Mexico.

"We went from one extreme of emotions to the other that night," former Dumbarton and Everton hero Graeme Sharp, who played that night, told The Scotsman. "On the pitch, when the final whistle went, we were delighted to have got to the World Cup play-offs, we were elated. We were unaware of what had happened with Jock until we got back to the dressing room. At first we thought it might not have been too bad but there were whispers that it was and then we were told he had passed away. There was such a sense of shock among the players and backroom staff. I was staying with Andy Gray that night and when we drove home we were still in a state of shock."

Appropriately,  Scotland held one minute of applause to mark the 25th anniversary of Stein's death, just before Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Liechtenstein at Hampden Park.  The display hardly fitted his memory, but at least a 2-1 victory was grasped, albeit in the 97th minute.

Undoubtedly the greatest encounter between Jock's Celtic and Dumbarton was in 1970, when the Sons took the Hoops to the edge in the replayed semi-final of the Scottish League Cup, 0-0 after extra time on 7 October, and 3-4 on 12 October. Stein was, of course, very willing to pay tribute to the endeavours of the minnows from Boghead. He represents a style, approach and set of football values that we very much need in the modern game.
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When the going gets tough...

First published in Sons View, 11 September 2010, Dumbarton -v- Stenhousemuir

This afternoon a rather large weight of expectation sits at the feet of Dumbarton’s chosen.

After four straight league defeats, including that hideous 6-0 hammering in our previous outing against East Fife, a win over Second Division fellow-strugglers Stenhousemuir will be seen as a “must” by most supporters.

But no matter how concerned we are to turn our blushes of embarrassment into the glow of pride, a single game doesn’t (and won’t) make a season. Not at this stage, anyway. Three points, a decent performance and some goals would produce a real difference in our morale and to our standing, to be sure. But that’s because, in spite of the disappointing start and crushing loss last week, we have not been cut adrift.

Remember this: our opponents today are only four points ahead of the Sons. Just one point separates us from Peterhead. And when the whistle blows at around ten to five today, there will be 31 matches left in the 2010/11 campaign. Everything is still there to play for. That’s the perspective we need.

The Warriors will come out fighting, and a determined effort is what we have a right to expect from the men in gold and black, too. No less than that, and hopefully a wee bit more. But the game you are witnessing under the shadow of the Rock isn’t an end; it’s part of what we all want to be a new beginning.

Nor should the quest for a positive response be construed as complacency. Dumbarton face an uphill climb. Basic things have been going wrong on the pitch, and at Methil it all fell apart after Sons conceded that second goal.  The sense of deflation was palpable. But one dreadful day in Fife should not be made into an epitaph. Rather, it needs to be re-scripted as a wake-up call.

Similarly, turning on the manager, the players, the staff and each other won’t help one bit in the struggle to regain our foothold and get the Sons moving forward. The truth is that we have a young side with a number of fresh faces and it’s important that they are backed solidly and given a chance to gel. In the pre-season games there were real signs of quality, but also examples of those momentary lapses, slips and confusions that cost us dearly in the last home match against Livingston and away at Ayr. This squad has potential. The challenge is to realise it by avoiding the pitfalls and developing the cutting edge. 

Predictably, gaffer Jim Chapman has taken some stick following the shame of New Bayview. His response has been to acknowledge frankly that what we saw there was unacceptable to all concerned, to recognise the feelings of his detractors (some of whom, sadly, allowed frustration to work itself out as personal abuse), to get out onto the training pitch with the players, to address what needs putting right – and to agree to answer supporters’ questions directly in a ‘fans forum’ before this afternoon’s match. (How many of us would fancy doing that in the circumstances?)

No one in the dressing room is running away from the current situation, in other words. Nor should we fans give way to fashionable pessimism. In the dark days immediately following our Third Division Championship triumph last year, everyone around Dumbarton united to demonstrate what this Club is about at its finest. Togetherness was the watchword. A good dose of that will be needed at SHS today – and over the coming weeks, as the evenings begin to draw in.

Of course, changes are needed straight away. I’m sure we will see that on the pitch this afternoon. Everyone knows that if the footballing slide does not start to be reversed soon, further rethinking will be required. But no team got out of a tough patch by giving way to panic. Patience doesn’t come easily in this game, but it is still a virtue that pays long-term dividends. At any rate, those who chop and change too much and too soon can hardly complain about inconsistency.

“This should test your powers of positive thinking,” said your long-suffering programme editor when reminding me about the deadline for this column - while we were all recovering from ‘six of the worst’ and wondering how Scotland would do against Lithuania. Well, they didn’t squeeze the hoped-for victory, but the shape, determination and glimpses of what is needed were there. It was a different display to the shocker against Sweden.

In similar vein, I’m going to predict a much-improved Sons performance against Stenhousemuir and more points heading our way in the coming weeks. With determination all round and some really strong support from the stand, we can do it!
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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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