Dumbarton FC: Michael Dunlop is new captain

Jul 3 2009 by Andy Galloway, Lennox Herald (main ed)

MICHAEL Dunlop will be Dumbarton’s new first team captain for season 2009/10.

Sons boss Jim Chapman has opted for the defender as the man to replace tragic Gordon Lennon as skipper.

The gaffer had to make the tough decision after title-winning skipper Lennon was killed in an off-road vehicle accident on Sunday, June 7.

And Michael, a rock at the heart of Sons’ defence after signing from Queen’s Park last summer, insists he will do his best to do his former team-mate proud.

He said: “I’m honoured to be given the role and I look forward to carrying it out to the best of my ability.

“They are big shoes to fill, following on from Gordon, but somebody has to do the job. It’s an honour to be captain of any club, but even more so for one that has just won a league.

“The other thing is that I’m carrying on the good work that Gordon did. We all know how good a job he did as captain and I’ll do my best to help us achieve something he would be proud of.

“It will take a long time to recover from such a tragic blow, but we’ve had a couple of training sessions and we now just have to knuckle down.”

Michael and his Sons team-mates officially returned to pre-season training on Saturday, having held an informal session last weekend.

They are now gearing up for the new season, which is just three weeks away, with the ALBA Challenge Cup opener at home to Morton on Sunday, July 26.

Meanwhile, Sons will wear Gordon’s name on their home strips for the coming season as a tribute to the tragic skipper.

Plans are ongoing for a calendar of events to pay tribute to the 26-year-old and raise money for his family.