Dumbarton FC manager Jim Chapman pays tribute to Gordon Lennon

Jun 12 2009 by Andy Galloway, Lennox Herald (main ed)

MY friend, my captain, my champion.

That is the tribute left in a book of condolences by Dumbarton manager Jim Chapman to his tragic skipper Gordon Lennon, who was killed in an off-road vehicle accident near Dingwall on Sunday.

The gaffer was devastated to learn of the death of a player he signed for Albion Rovers in 2005 and then made his captain at Dumbarton in 2008.

He said: “Gordon was a great ambassador and everything you want in a captain. You have team captains and club captains, and I don’t think the club could have asked for a better ambassador.

“He was the ultimate professional and I know what the club, and everybody connected with it, meant to him.

“Football means nothing right now. But I am sure it will be seen in the days and weeks to come how much it means to lose somebody from our footballing family. There will be a lasting tribute to Gordon at this club.”

Gordon, 26, was from the Cardonald area of Glasgow but had recently moved to a new home in Paisley with partner Kelly and five-month-old son Kai.

He joined Sons from Partick Thistle in January 2008, having also spent some time on loan at Stenhousemuir, and was immediately made team captain.

Sons’ chief executive Gilbert Lawrie, who lost his wife Fiona to illness at New Year, also paid tribute to Gordon.

He said: “Gordon was one of the first to offer me support in my situation and I cannot believe he is no longer with us.

“He was a guy I had a lot of time for and was a true leader in all senses of the word. He was always the one organising the players on the bus and took the collection for the driver to Annan on the last day of the season.

“He was always generous with the supporters and nothing was too much for him. He always made himself available as any captain would.

“This club has had some great captains, and Gordon will definitely go down as one of the best.”

No details of Gordon’s funeral had emerged as the Lennox Herald went to press.