QUIZ NIGHT – THIS WEEKEND!

 

FOLLOWING Dumbarton’s Big Game (vs Stirling Albion), our second fundraising social event of the season – the ninth annual Quiz Night – will take place at SHS.

Currently we have around 22 pledges for teams – fantastic – but if anyone would like to come along for what should be a great night, then you are more than welcome.

We are on the lookout for a couple of volunteers for the evening to help with scoring and collection of raffle tickets etc. If any member can spare a couple of hours, please either leave a note in the comment section of this post or drop a note to secy@sonstrust.net

CHAMPIONS!

THE inaugural Glasgow Stranraer FC Supporters annual quiz took place last Thursday evening in the salubrious surroundings of Bar Buddha on St Vincent Street – and guess what? The Sonstrust won!

The quiz was a closely-fought affair with all five teams in contention, right up until the last round with the Sonstrust team triumphing by three points.

It’s fair to say that our team, led by Captaian Andy Galloway, could be labelled a midweek Challenge Cup squad, however it was a spirited performance with David Powell in particular doing very well.

Talking of quizzes, we are now at 22 teams registered for our own night on 13th February and there is always room for more.

A squad of six will cost just £30. Drop us a note to secy@sonstrust.net or leave a comment on this post.

Well done to Denise, Andy. David and Alan!

TRUST TRAVEL – EAST FIFE

Apache Army at New Methil

WEATHER permitting, the Trust Travel’s next outing is to New Bayview this coming Saturday (6th February).

There are still a few seats available, so anyone looking to book please do so by adding your contact details to the comments section of this post and Tommy will confirm.

For info, the bus leaves the Counting House pub at 12pm.

PETERHEAD FIASCO

TODAY’S (late) cancellation of our planned trip to Peterhead was a bitter pill to swallow.

In reealising that everyone’s day was spoiled by the decision to call the game off,  we agree wholeheartedly with  comments from fans (today) that a postponement should have been announced on Friday (yesterday).

Calling the game off is not our gripe.

It’s the timing, which should have been better given the travelling distance involved. 

Once again the paying punter is hit hard for what was a lack of common sense.

Conditions in and around the Peterhead/Aberdeen area were so bad yesterday that the Grampian Police issued advice that driving in that part of the world was not advisable, yet it became clear that no effort was being made by the footballing authorities to seek advice from the constabulary.

Overnight, with the weather forecast the way it was, it was inevitable that things would deterioate, however no sensible decision was taken until this morning when it was far too late to cancel our bus and inform everyone – for that there can be no excuses from those in charge.

Grrr ………!!!!!

JIM CRUTTENDEN

THE Trust Board, on behalf of the membership, would like to wish Jim Cruttenden a speedy recovery following his recent sudden illness.

Hopefully it won’t be long before Jim can take his place on the supporters bus cheering on the Sons (and telling the driver he’s going the wrong way!).

All the very best Jim, we’re all thinking of you.

SONS VIEW SCOTLAND SPECIAL

A special edition of Lennox Herald sports correspondent Andy Galloway’s regular programme notes on new Scotland manager Craig Levein.

IT IS too early to say what Craig Levein can hope to achieve as Scotland manager imminently. That can only be speculated on when the Euro 2012 qualifying draw is made in February.

However, he merits nothing but the best wishes of the Tartan Army as he takes up his new role. It didn’t work out for George Burley, but this is the start of a new chapter for Scottish football, which we fervently hope will lead us to Poland and Ukraine. The 45-year-old is a bold appointment by the SFA – but one of those was always likely whoever took the job.

Levein has never won a trophy as a manager, but realistically, which bosses who have lifted an honour would have accepted the post? This is bearing in mind that Gordon Strachan recently got a new post, and Walter Smith and Graeme Souness distanced themselves from the Scotland vacancy upon Burley’s departure. Levein’s Dundee United side were also within a penalty of lifting the League Cup last season, and in this campaign, they’ve mounted a strong challenge at the right end of the SPL.

There is one positive that really stands out with the ex-Hearts defender getting the job – he knows Scottish football. He’s spent his years at Tannadice watching the country’s top division every week and will be well-versed in the players who look promising. Some of them have played under him on Tayside, with midfielders Craig Conway and Scott Robertson already part of the Scotland squad and defender Paul Dixon tipped to follow.

The national team needs new blood, and more of it is arguably required at the moment. Take the first-choice defensive side of the team. Goalkeeper out injured indefinitely. Right back can’t get a game for Tottenham. Centre halves still playing for the same club, but not together often and taking a lot of flak for Celtic’s hit-and-miss season. Left back – have we got an established first-choice one yet? There’s also much to be done in an attacking sense – not least the potential re-introduction of Kris Boyd, which for me remains a no-brainer.

The national team needs the co-operation of the top clubs in getting players ready, and that is another bonus of Levein’s appointment. He has earned the respect of his fellow managers ever since he embarked on management at Cowdenbeath in 1997. Hopefully he’ll retain that now he’s in charge of the national team. It was always vital to get a manager in position who can work with his the clubs.

Of course, the area that really matters in Levein’s new job is on the pitch, and time will tell whether success materialises. However, that is exactly what the manager has on his side right now – time. The next competitive game is not for at least another nine months, and for seven of those, we’ll know the obstacles to overcome to reach Euro 2012.

Hopefully, as an international management apprentice, the draw will be kind to him. The most important games in the group will be against the teams seeded second and fourth – either side of Scotland’s pot. In the World Cup 2010 campaign we took just four points out of 12 from the teams seeded directly beside us, Norway and Macedonia. That cost us as much as anything else. With any luck, we’ll avoid a ‘group of death’ and, as a newcomer to international management, Levein can have the best chance possible. What he also needs to have that best chance, though, is the backing of the players, clubs and fans.

A final thought – Dumbarton boss Jim Chapman was appointed during the festive season, like Levein. He had his playing career ended by a knee injury, like Levein. His team achieved its target in his first full campaign…let’s hope it’s a hat-trick of similarities. Merry Christmas.

QUIZ NIGHT

 

Trust Quiz Night - 13th Feb 2010

THE Trust’s annual quiz night for this season will take place at SHS in the supporters bar on the evening of Saturday 13th February 2010.

We now would like teams of six to register for what is a fantastic evening.

Please call Alan on 07904 666 014 or send an e-mail to secy@sonstrust.net to book your space. Alternatively, leave a comment in the appropriate section on this post, with FULL contact details.

Cost per team is just £30. Make any cheques payable to ‘Sons Supporters Trust.’

SHAREHOLDER DEMOCRACY

Supporters Direct’s excellent article entitled ‘The Value of Shareholder Democracy’ is worthy of a wider audience as the content makes a very good point.

Click on the following link to view :

http://www.supporters-direct.org/news/item.asp?n=6519&cat=sd_sco

TRUST AGM

THE Trust’s 2009 AGM took place in the supporters bar at 11am at SHS today.

Chairman Brian Payne expertly guided the gathered members through the agenda and in the spirit of openness and transparency, below is the agenda with agreed actions and outcomes.

AGENDA

• To note and approve the minutes of the AGM held on 22/11/2008

- proposed and approved

• Resolution 1 – To receive and adopt the Annual Report and audited accountsto July 31st 2009 together with the reports of the Trust Board – Chair, Treasurer and Secretary

- proposed and approved.  Income for financial year to 31st July 2009 – £39,586. Expenditure for financial year to 31st July 2009 – £36,899. Surplus for year – £2,687. Funds brought forward £38, 208. Funds carried forward £40,895.  Account detail available to any Trust member – please drop an e-mail to secy@sonstrust.net

• Resolution 2 – Rule 59 : Trust Board Elections. Four board places available as per rotation rules.

- four Trust members properly proposed and seconded as follows : Andy Scott, Brian Payne, David Powell and Andy Galloway (previously a co-opted member). Membership formally adopted and accepted nominations.

• Resolution 3 – To re-appoint the auditors – French Duncan – for financial year 2009-2010

- proposed and approved

After the above formalities were concluded, debate followed on various different aspects of Trust business going forward.

Brian then thanked everyone for their attendance and the meeting was closed at 12pm.

TRUST SPONSOR BALLBOY KIT

DFC Chairman Colin Hosie was on hand last week to accept ten new sets of ballboy kit from the Sons Supporters Trust.

Trust Chair Brian Payne – pictured with Colin (above) said : “With the Club having cahnged kit suppliers to Surridge we felt it was time to make sure the ballboys at SHS had a uniform look.

“We are delighted once again to be involved at the Club in our role as a sponsor.”

Colin added : “The Trust plays an important part in the life of DFC and the continued support is gratefully received. 

“Thanks to everyone involved.”