Dumbarton FC: Seven freed as Sons head for division two

May 22 2009 by Andy Galloway, Lennox Herald (main ed)

DUMBARTON manager Jim Chapman has released seven of his third division title-winning squad.

Mark Canning, a multiple trophy winner at the end of season 2007/08, is the most notable name on the freed list.

Striker Paul McLeod and defenders Michael O’Byrne and Gary Wilson have also been allowed to find new clubs.

Michael Moore and Jonathan Yule, who finished the season on loan at Stranraer and Benburb, will make their departures permanent.

Striker Paul Keegan completes the seven, but the Irishman may remain at the club in a youth coaching capacity.

The gaffer is optimistic over keeping the players he wants to re-sign, but warned that he won’t wait for answers.

He added: “Releasing players is a horrible process and the most difficult part of the job under any circumstances

“However, it’s even harder after such a successful season.

“But all of the released players understood our decisions and that they were purely professional ones in the best interests of the club.

“Sometimes it is a gamble as people will have different ideas for what players should be retained, but that’s part of being a manager.

“We hope that the decisions we have taken are the right ones.

“We think we have done the right thing but time will tell.

“The players who have been made offers have been told we will not wait for them. Everybody we have spoken to seems happy, but you are never settled until all business is officially done.

“Technically all our players are still under contract until Sunday as we had them signed with potential play-off fixtures in mind.”

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