Sons FC

Greatly exciting signings in Nade and Heh. Is Nade cup-tied?

A real shock and a real blow to the club. A man of the highest integrity - he will be a huge loss. Condolences to his family and friends.

Under no circumstances drop the song! Honestly, do today's youngsters not understand the club's history? How about very quick impressions from some of the fans as they leave? (impressions of the game, not "here's Frankie Howard"). It could be a bit negative after some gamea though. It would be great to get some players comments.

At least we are still in the cup and have an outside chance of winning.

It's a tough question - a money spinner or advancing? I think we just have to wait and see and hope for the best either way.

That's a real shame. I thought your reply was very well written and appropriate and if I had thought they would remove it I would have taken a copy. I have found Neil Cameron's email address and I will be writing to him direct to express my disappointment. I really don't expect any reply other a cursory "delete" from his end but at least it might make him think about it next time (or if) he ever visits again.

At one point I remember having a vinyl recording of the Sons song. It was one of those very light, plasticy records that you needed to place a coin on near the centre to weigh it down to play properly.

I see Alloa have received "dozens" of applications already and Chopra has confirmed that he will apply. Good luck lads - as long as you stay in the division (not at our expense of course!).

That's a hat trick of managers leaving after losing to us.

I don't think it is commitment and drive. All the players are good enough for this level, it is consistency of performance that is lacking - on their day they can be just as good and better than other teams in the league.

I watched Sotland extensively at that time as well. I think I went about 12 years without missing a home game and regularly went to Wales and Wembley for the Home Internationals. I was at that game as well Scotty, what an atmosphere, what a game. I also went to the 1982 World Cup in Spain. I don't think it is possible to explain to anyone what that is like - there is nothing like being at a World Cup.

I remember Jumbo for exactly the same reasons - that Scottish Cup goal and the Shawford goal when he ran almost the full length of the pitch, ran through most of the Clyde team and scored the first in a 3-0 win - one of the best Dumbarton games I have ever seen.

Wilf - Donald Mcneil was on my list but you are absolutely right about Graham Sharp, another legend who went on to much greater things but always had a soft spot for the Sons.

Fantastic - I remember it well. Rather than give a team line up and not in any order, I will simply list the best players I have seen in a Sons shirt: Ian Wallace - one of the most naturally gifted players I have seen playing for Sons - he had this knack of making space for himself regardless of how many players were around him. He was also hated by the fans of every other club we played, which can't be bad. I think he was Britain's second £1million player after Trevor Francis (not from us of course, I think we sold him for about £30,000). Johnny Graham - Mr Dumbarton, probably the best player I saw. He was fantastic and we even had a special song for him "who's the boy with the brown curly hair..." for those who can remember it. Jumbo Muir - Effortlessly strolled through games and was majestic to watch. Kenny Wilson - brilliant, brilliant player - who can ever forget the five he scored against Raith in that midweek game, I think in our promotion season. Roy McCormack - side kick to Kenny and laid on so many of his goals. Davie Wilson - it was odd watching Scottish legends playing for Dumbarton but very exciting as well. Willie Wallace - for the same reason as Davie Wilson. John Cushley - mighty and as hard as nails - Dumbarton's Norman Hunter (or was Norman Hunter Leeds' John Cushley?). Charlie Gallagher - sublime and coasted through games - a real Celtic hero who was a real Dumbarton hero. Lawrie Williams - the cat and probablythe best keeper we ever had. Another legend. McAdam brothers - Colin (Hoof, tragically no longer with us) and Tom - both went on to play with opposite teams of the Old Firm and gave everything for Dumbarton. Coyle brothers - much maligned (undeservedly) they played a key role for the club for many years. Murdo McLeod - perhaps should have put the "McLeod brothers" but Alistair was not nearly as good as Murdo. Kenny Ashwood - only played with us for a short period but what a period - he hit, I think the only purple patch in his career when he was with us - he scored something like 11 goals in 10 matches to start and had a spectacular first season. Never did it again but that season was very special. John Bourke - played too long with Kilmarnock for my liking, where he is regarded as a legend but a great Sons player. Graham Sinclair - honourable mention as he was only player I recall from my time supporting Dumbarton who was called up for international duty while with Sons - a number of U21 caps for Scotland. Brian Gallagher - one of the fastest players I ever saw. Graham Fyffe - signed from a small team called Rangers. He claimed that he married a Catholic and was forced out of the club - they said he had a long-standing knee injury. He signed for Hibs the year before us and he said he was perfectly fit. Superb player for two years with the Sons. Whiteford brothers - Jocky and Derek, both played with distinction for the Sons. Donald McNeill - nearly signed for Rangers but did his knee in that year and we got to keep him a little longer. Mark Clougherty - A brilliant reader of the game - he was immense in the heart of the defence. Hugh McLean - gifted and talented, he effortlessly floated through games. Alistair (Ally) Brown - not the most gifted or talented but always gave 100% every match - high energy, high tempo, I think he would fit in well in today's team. Chic Charnley - I think he only played for us for one season but while he was with us everything went through him - he ran games and was superly talented. Tom Carson - great keeper, one of our best ever managers, very badly treated by the club in the end which was a real shame. So many more than this as well and this is without catching up to date with the Dobbies, Flannerys, Kanes, etc.

I also remember playing Clyde at Shawfield when Cushley came in for a tackle and knocked the Clyde player right over the barrier that separated the pitch from the dog track. He was the type of no compromise player every team needs.

These as well and Jumbo Muir waltzing through almost the whole of the Clyde team at Shawfield to put us 1-0 up and we went on to win 3-0.

This rings a bell, I am sure you are right.

I should have mentioned in my nostalgic-ridden ramblings the promotion game in 1972 and the 5-0 game against Raith Rovers when Kenny Wilson scored all five.

My first game was away to Queen's Park at Hampden. We won 2-0 and it was (the great) Lawrie Williams' last game as a trialist - we signed him after that game. I will always remember Boghead fondly as I grew up going there every second Saturday. I remember winning the golden goal when I was about 13 (you had to be 16) and Alex Wright saying because he knew us he would put me down as 16, the 5-2 Arbroath game when we were 2-1 down just after half time (was it 2-0?) anbd Colin McAdam scoring from his own half, the 4-1 relegation avoiding game against Dundee United in 1973, plus countless other memories. The main problem with Boghead was the pitch - even after it was re-drained in the late 70s or early 80s it was still a quagmire after a light drizzle, so although I will always remember Boghead well, I agree with the others who have said that if we were still there it would be an embarassment or cost a fortune to keep maintained.

I hope that includes free meals and transport or there could be trouble.

Also, some players will drop a division to prove they still have it hoping to be spotted playing well as a means to get back to full time football, especially if they have suffered from injury.

I am really heartened to read this - I have been concerned that the mix of new manager, losing one of our best managers ever and reaching down rather than up for players would make for a difficult season. I see Rodgers, Kane and Findlay doing very well and I have always thought that players who have played at a higher level are good to have around the club but this puts it nicely into perspective. I am fully supportive of the new manager and assistant and I hope what you say is right Wilf and that on balance they can get this right,

Am I the only one who is concerned by the signings so far? Murray has moved quickly to sign Findlay on loan again and so far the only players we have signed are players from teams which finished lower than us last season. They may be good players but I would be concerned if the only players we can sign are lower league players - you sign only lower league players, prepare to be a lower league team. Murray could (and still is) leverage loans from Celtic, Aberdeen and Dundee United. I would really like to see us bringing in players at that level on loan. Is the new manager able to operate at that level?

According to the BBC Murray will not be raiding the club for players: "St Mirren boss Ian Murray says he won't be raiding former club Dumbarton since their part-time players cannot afford to take a drop in wages."

Absolutely right - there is an awful lot of nonsense being spouted here about Murray's commitment and focus. If any of us apply for a new job and are unsuccessful it doesn't mean we give up at our present job or do a worse job. I am astonished at so many people seemingly wanting Murray out the door.