Sons View Special
A close season edition of Lennox Herald sports reporter Andy Galloway’s Sons View column, on Scotland’s fine win in Croatia on Friday.
SOMETIMES it takes a huge effort for a season to have the perfect ending.
A run of results, over an extended spell, which leads to a promotion or title success. A fairytale cup final victory, achieved after several weeks of preparation. An announcement that a club or team is about to take a major step forward off the pitch, with investment or new facilities.
But on Friday evening, all that it took for Scottish football’s 2012/13 campaign to end on a high was one deflected through ball from Shaun Maloney. Then one burst of energy from Robert Snodgrass and one extension of the Norwich forward’s leg to get his shot away into the net.
That made up the moment very few would have deemed remotely possible. For six largely unbearable games in the already-doomed 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign, Scotland had toiled, floundered and failed to pick up a single victory. Then, with that goal, they won in Croatia – home of the team ranked fourth in the world.
It is, of course, typical Scotland fashion. If the first half dozen fixtures of this campaign equated to Peru and Iran in the 1978 World Cup, then Friday was the subsequent victory over the Netherlands. We’re already out, so let’s go and record the best result we’ve had for a long time.
Now one match does not change much about the bigger picture of this campaign. It is, of course, still damning that we were the first team out, while even the minnows of the tournament retained some chance. And the two games against Wales, especially at Hampden, are fixtures that we would all like to erase from our memories as quickly as possible.
Likewise, one great result is no reason to get carried away and assume we are back to the team we were in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. However, what it does is put us in a much improved position to achieve third place in the group, which now has to be the target. We could be in that position if we win the next game, at home to Belgium, and Wales fail to take full points in Macedonia. To many observers, the words ‘we win’ and ‘Belgium’ still don’t belong in the same sentence. But how many thought along those lines, replacing the Belgians with Croatia, going into Friday’s game in Zagreb?
Even before the ball hit the net after 26 minutes, there was confidence about the side. Manager Gordon Strachan was getting so much more from his players than he did in his previous two competitive matches, against Wales and Serbia. Those fixtures had probably come too soon. Now, two and a half months later, we’re maybe, just maybe, seeing the grit that brought him so much success as Celtic boss.
Second half? Rarely looked like adding to our lead. But defensively, as solid as a Scotland side has been since the days when David Weir and Stephen McManus were our central defensive pairing. When a striker who played in the Champions League final just a fortnight ago, Mario Mandzukic, is running out of ideas with a quarter of the match still left, you know you’ve had a good night at the back.
And if there was one player whose presence on the scoresheet afforded the most satisfaction, it was Snodgrass. The player who had been among the best on the pitch against Wales at home before a lack of discipline, resulting in his red card, ultimately led to the side’s implosion. This time, having sat out his suspension in Serbia, he got his head down, concentrated on his football, and delivered. It was great to watch.
However, focusing on one player does a disservice to the rest of the team. There was not one failure in a dark blue jersey. That was what we know Scotland can deliver. The worst thing we can do is pretend that one result makes us the team to beat again. Belgium will still come to Hampden in three months feeling optimistic. The key now is doing it consistently. Getting it right when it matters and bringing back the pride that was so badly lacking in the last two managerial tenures.
Anyway, the 2012/13 campaign, which began in such a blaze of madness, has ended in fine style. Enjoy your close season everyone. It’s less than four weeks until Dumbarton’s first friendly.
Reconstruction Meetings Continue
THIS week’s Lennox Herald has another article on SFL/SPL League Reconstruction, and the issues that will involve the Sons, one way or another.
In ‘Dumbarton FC caught up in reconstruction concerns’, Lorraine Waddell writes: “Crunch talks on the possible expulsion of First Division clubs including Dumbarton from the Scottish Football League were being held [on 30 May].
“Clubs in the Second and Third Divisions are understood to be opposed to plans by the 10 SFL1 teams to break away and form an SPL2.”
It is reported that DFC have again declined to comment.
The report quotes the Sons Supporters Trust statement on Reconstruction moves from earlier this month and last month.
Chairman Brian Payne said: “The Trust has made clear its commitment to a reform of Scottish football that involves all 42 professional clubs, a fairer distribution of financial and other resources, larger divisions, transparent governance, the restoring of proper competition in the game, a pyramid system, community benefit, and a decisive place for fans in the running of the game at all levels.”
A formal SFL vote on Reconstruction plans will take place on 12 June 2013. We will keep you up-to-date on developments.
Comments from Sons supporters and Trust members are welcome here.
One Last Big Match This Season!
There is actually one big match left at Dumbarton this season.
But it isn’t taking place on the pitch….
Alan Findlay
Tomorrow (Friday), Sonstrust director and secretary Alan Findlay ties the knot with his long-term partner Rowan (pictured below). Several Sons fans, including trust board members, will be in attendance for what is certain to be a happy and memorable day.
From the trust board and all the membership, all the best to you both!
Membership Renewals
TRUST membership secretary Tommy Hughes has been busy in the last week preparing membership renewal letters for season 2013/14 and he reports that ‘packs’ should be with members by the middle of next month (June).
He said : “This is our most important part of the financial year. Renewals from members are vital and I’d like to encourage as many people signing up again as early as possible.
“With all that’s going on in Scottish football, the involvement of the Sonstrust at DFC is arguably more important than ever.
“A strong and vibrant membership is base is vital.”
If you’d like to re-join online or if you are thinking of becoming a new member, you can do so my clicking HERE.
Everyone’s a Winner with the Sons
THESE days, the word ‘sponsorship’ in football often means huge corporations buying a piece of action in a way that’s completely beyond the reach of ordinary fans.
Here at Dumbarton it means local businesses, community organisations and supporters having a chance to get their name on their team’s shirt or shorts… at an affordable price that guarantees a DFC First Division season ticket and acknowledgement in the SonsView matchday programme and on the Club website throughout season 2013/14.
In other words, whether or not your name comes out of the draw to have your logo or business name on the back of Dumbarton’s home and away shirt, or on the front panel of the kit’s short… you’ll still be a winner!
This is an idea that the Sonstrust and Dumbarton FC has been promoting over the past couple of years, and this time we hope it’ll be an even bigger success. All the money raised will go into supporting the Club in its efforts to progress in the second tier of Scottish football.
If you would like to take part in the draw, for £275 per entry, contact Trust and Commercial director Alan Findlay at the email address given on this inset.
#SUPPORTOURSONS
Sons Fans Bravely Face ‘Endless Day of No Football’
AN exclusive opinion survey conducted on behalf of the Sonstrust by the MadeupPoll organization has revealed that the top chosen activity for the first Saturday of the close season will be “moping around wishing there was a Dumbarton game on”.
Other top choices include “moaning about the SPL”, “not bothering to watch the FA Cup Final” and “spreading rumours about who gaffer Ian Murray might be signing for next season.”
Those choosing to use this seemingly endless fitbaless desert to re-engage with domestic life told us they would spend their time “finding new excuses for not doing the garden” or “finding new excuses for not going to the shops.”
Respondents admitted that they had mostly not fine-tuned their excuses yet. But one quipped: ”Actually, come to think of it, I might volunteer to go to the shops, which are nearby, in order to avoid doing the garden – which is badly overgrown, and will take me ages of backbreaking work.”
At least one desperate Dumbarton fan [don't worry, A**n, I promised not to tell anyone, and I'm a man of my word] has come up with the idea of “getting married” to fill the deep void of a future Sons-free weekend.
But seriously, folks… What will YOU be doing on Saturdays — and for the really dedicated, Tuesday evenings — while you wait for those pre-season friendlies? Apart from nabbing your season ticket at the ‘early bird’ rate and renewing your Sonstrust membership, obviously.
Let us know…
Membership Renewals – Posted!
MEMBERSHIP secretary Tommy Hughes has confirmed that renewal letters to members who are not on our standing order scheme, have been sent out.
Tommy, who is this week flying out to somewhere warm for a well deserved holiday, said: ”All packs have now been posted and should be with members by the end of the week.
“I’d appreciate a quick return of the forms and anyone who does not receive theirs, please let us know as soon as possible.”
Members not in receipt of their letters and forms as per Tommy’s deasdline should drop an e-mail to secy@sonstrust.net