Dumbarton FC: Darren Gribben plans to get more goals at the Rock

Jul 10 2009 by Andy Galloway, Lennox Herald (main ed)

DARREN Gribben scored 15 goals last season for the third division’s second bottom team – now he wants to hit more for the champions.

The striker is now in pre-season training with his new Dumbarton team-mates, having just returned from his holiday after completing a move from Berwick Rangers.

Despite his impressive goal haul, with his league tally of 14 only beaten by two players, the Borderers had a disappointing season last year, finishing in ninth place.

Now Darren, who scored one goal against Sons last season, is looking to hit the goal trail in next season’s second division.

He said: “I scored 15 goals for Berwick, so hopefully I can score a few more than that to help Dumbarton finish up the league.

“Hopefully there will be more chances for me to put the ball in the net, as I had to make a lot of chances myself last season.

“Our prospects for the season will depend on how we start. We will get everybody fit first and see how it goes from there.”

Like fellow summer signing Scott Chaplain, Darren jumped at the chance to work again with Sons boss Jim Chapman.

He worked under the gaffer at Hamilton Accies and could have come to the Rock sooner if Jim’s previous move for him had worked out.

He added: “The second division is a step up for me so I’m looking forward to it. The chance to play under Jim Chapman also appealed, as he tried to sign me before.

“He wanted to bring me to Dumbarton when he first became manager last January, but I had already signed for Stranraer.

“However, I have known him since I was a teenager at Hamilton Accies, so it’s good to get the chance to work with him again.

“I also know keeper Dave McEwan from our days at Hamilton and, of course, Dumbarton are a very good team, as they proved last season.”