Traveller's Notebook - Dumbarton

Date – Saturday 31^st July 2004
Venue – Strathclyde Homes Stadium
Competition – Bells League Challenge Cup Round One
Fixture – Dumbarton v Stirling Albion
Kick Off – 3.00pm

The competitive season kicks off next Saturday with a visit to the Stathclyde Homes Stadium to play Dumbarton. Dumbarton, like ourselves, have never reached the final of this competition and would love the chance of a little glory. The Sons only just missed out on promotion last season so we can expect a tough match against them. If we wanted to test out Second Division credentials then there could be no more challenging prospect…

The locale…Dumbarton, southern most outpost of the Vale of Leven, is an unprepossessing town. Little to entice you to travel early or stay late. The football ground is located on the site of a former industrial area in the shadow of Dumbarton Rock. Take a walk past the stand and keep going to view the winding Rover Leven. It is more attractive than you might imagine.

The team…A great run during the second half of last season kept them in the promotion race until the end. If they had made a decent start then they would surely have been promoted. Have made a few new signings – most notably Derek Allan and Andy Rodgers. Rodgers had a spell on loan to them last season and scored quite a few goals. Manager Brian Fairley is a particularly astute gaffer. He has a good eye for players, sound tactical know-how and an ability to motivate his team. Forthbank News predicts that he will be manager of Falkirk at some point in the future.

The travel…If going by car then we would always recommend the ‘back road’ via Buchlyvie and Balloch. Follow Erskine Bridge signs until you hit the roundabout at Dumbarton. From there it is quite simple (unless it is foggy). Head for the muckle great rock and you will find the ground. Train travellers should alight at Dumbarton East which is closer to the ground than Dumbarton Central.

The ground…There is still only one side to the Strathclyde Homes Stadium. Binos who attended the Stirlingshire Cup tie there last season will know that the segregation arrangements have been changed. Away fans now occupy the ‘far’ end of the stand as you enter the stadium precincts. Very similar to East Fife in design. The dug outs are on the far side of the ground. Comfortable view on a good day – any combination of wind and rain and you face getting wet.

The fans…Dumbarton boosted there average home support to around 700-800 mark last season. Loyal and committed – the epitome of Scottish lower division supporters. Rumour has it that the stewarding can be quite severe at Dumbarton so it might be advisable to leave the bass drum at home.

Refreshment…Since moving to the new ground the Bowling Club adjacent to the ground (further down the road, at the Rock) has been the unofficial watering hole for football fans. Rumour says that there is now a bar inside the ground (at the home end) – unsure whether this facility is available for travelling fans. Usual selection of pies ect. on sale within the ground – no evidence of botulism as a result of previous visits.