The Sonstrust and DFC Stadium Proposals

FOLLOWING recent press coverage, and reaction on social media to the launch of the ‘Thumbs Up for Young’s Farm’ campaign, people have been asking if the Sonstrust could say more about the issues involved in relation to ourselves. We are happy to do so.

What we can say at present is as follows.

1. We are taking a positive approach

We very much welcome the community engagement emphasis that the owners of Dumbarton FC have recently brought into their proposals to relocate the club to a new stadium at Young’s Farm.

The community approach is one we have advocated for many years – and it is really good to see that it is being taken seriously at last.

A well-respected sports development consultant, Penny Lochhead of PMR, has also been brought on board by the owners.

We have had two positive informal meetings with Penny. We like the PMR business watchword, “proven not promised”.

2. We regard flexibility as important

If the new stadium project is given the next green light by the Council at the end of January, or if it is approved at a subsequent juncture, we will want to continue to be fully engaged with the development as it moves forward.

We recognise, of course, that planning consent is only a first step, and that there is much more to be done, especially on the commercial and financial side.

Equally, if the club were to end up staying at its current location – which quite a few fans would still hope for – then we will engage positively on a different way forward, ensuring that supporters remain active participants in shaping the club’s future.

3. We put supporters first

As a supporters trust (a registered fans’ cooperative) we are there to represent the views of our 350 members, who constitute the great majority of the regular home gate at Dumbarton – along with many well-wishers in other parts of the country and beyond.

After three public meetings and much consultation we know that quite a few supporters are warming towards the idea of a new stadium with additional facilities and income potential, while others remain concerned about its feasibility, the desirability of moving and the longer-term intentions of the owners.

All supporters put the security of the club they love as their first concern, and that will continue to be the trust’s first concern also, along with the club board on which we have representation.

4. We want the club to flourish

We want Dumbarton FC to have a thriving future, with fans and the community at its heart. That’s why we naturally welcome the potential of a community stadium offering great facilities for the club, the local community and youth football in the area – while at the same time continuing to work for the concrete assurances and sound business plans that fans want to be convinced of its genuine viability.

The planning application for the new stadium is due to be considered by the Council at the end of January 2018. We are encouraging supporters to make their own views known, and the owners are naturally lobbying hard for support for their project.

Our aim remains to ensure that any community stadium development, on a new site or on the current one, is appropriate, sustainable and beneficial for the club, and that fans are fully engaged.

5. We remain accountable to our members

The trust will be consulting its members and seeking a formal mandate for any further comment on the new stadium planning application early in the New Year.

Before that, we will be talking to the owners at the beginning of January about what further assurances they are able to give to address remaining concerns before and after the end of January.

We will also be continuing with the creation of a community interest vehicle (a CIC) capable of increasing our positive influence and stakeholding in Dumbarton FC and promoting an asset lock.

6. We believe in partnership

The Sonstrust remains confident that, with the right will and approach on all sides, the fans, the club and the present owners can move forward positively – with the interests of the club paramount. We will continue to engage, both publicly and behind the scenes, with that as the objective.

We will say more in the New Year.

Wishing one and all a great Hogmanay!

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The full back story on the stadium move:

Sep 16 2014 – http://wp.me/pbyRe-1c0
Oct 29 2014 – http://wp.me/pbyRe-1cu
Nov 3 2014 – http://wp.me/pbyRe-1cR
Nov 6 2014 – http://wp.me/pbyRe-1d1
Nov 9 2014 – http://wp.me/pbyRe-1de
Nov 10 2014 – http://wp.me/pbyRe-1do
Nov 27 2014 – http://wp.me/pbyRe-1dH
Jun 4 2015 – http://wp.me/pbyRe-1hS
Oct 25 2016 – http://wp.me/pbyRe-1qS
Oct 30 2016 – http://wp.me/pbyRe-1r5
Nov 5 2016 – http://wp.me/pbyRe-1s7
Dec 2 2016 – http://wp.me/pbyRe-1sm
Mar 13 2017 – http://wp.me/pbyRe-1tB
Apr 10 2017 – http://wp.me/pbyRe-1uu
Jun 5 2017 – http://wp.me/pbyRe-1xu
Oct 5 2017 – https://sonstrust.wordpress.com/2017/10/05/consultation-on-stadium-plans-fans-meeting/
Oct 18 2017 – https://sonstrust.wordpress.com/2017/10/18/join-us-on-thursday-to-discuss-dfcs-future/
Oct 20 2017 – https://sonstrust.wordpress.com/2017/10/20/meeting-a-success/
Dec 22 2017 – https://sonstrust.wordpress.com/2017/12/22/stadium-project-info/