Jim Chapman marks two years as Dumbarton FC boss

Jan 8 2010 by Andy Galloway, Lennox Herald (main ed)

JIM Chapman marked two years in charge at Dumbarton last week – but any celebrations on the pitch were literally put on ice.

The Sons gaffer is now the club’s longest-serving manager since Ian Wallace, who was in charge from November 1996 to March 1999.

But the postponement of Saturday’s game against Stenhousemuir handed him and the players a third consecutive week out of action.

And another one lies ahead this Saturday, with Sons out of the Active Nation Scottish Cup and unable to re-schedule a postponed league game.

However, the squad has been kept ticking over to avoid any rust setting in ahead of next Saturday’s visit to Brechin City.

Jim said: “We put a structure in place when we arrived, with some short-term aims, which we were delighted to achieve last season.

“We now move on to the mid-term aims, which are to stabilise the club at its current level and continue developing players.

“At any level of Scottish football, you need a plan in place to develop the club, and that takes time and patience.

“Last season showed the results of everybody working together, and we need that again, from the supporters right to the top of the club.

“In terms of getting competitive games this has been a frustrating time, but it has not gone to waste altogether.

“We are quite fortunate in that we have a quality facility at Toryglen in Glasgow that we can use when the weather is against us.

“The players have been very active over the festive season, despite their frustration at the games being off.

“We had a bounce game with Arthurlie at Toryglen on Sunday which gave us the opportunity to watch some players in action.”

The January transfer window is now open, with Jim keen to strengthen Sons’ squad in terms of scoring goals.

One player who will not be involved in the second half of the season is midfielder Adam Strachan, who has joined second division rivals Clyde.

Jim added: “Adam has now left the club after his contract expired. It didn’t work out as we hoped, but he leaves with everybody’s best wishes.

“The only early developments have been to make initial enquiries. We have asked about players who we feel can take the club forward, but it has gone no further at the moment.

“It was important to secure Jan Vojacek first on a longer deal as the injury to Dave McEwan rules him out for some time.

“We are looking to strengthen in the striking department, looking for players with good mobility and technical ability.”

Another player who may be on the radar is left back Pat Boyle, who left Sons for Partick Thistle in pre-season.

The Firhill club have announced that the defender will go out on loan, but his temporary club has still to be confirmed.