Dumbarton FC manager prepares for first bounce game

Jul 1 2011 by Andy Galloway, Lennox Herald (main ed)

ALAN Adamson was delighted with the performances of the players in Saturday’s first pre-season training session, held at Levengrove Park.

And the first match of any kind during the pre-season is set for tomorrow (Thursday) night in a bounce game with Stranraer.

But the boss’s preparations were dealt an early blow after midfielder Martin McNiff broke a bone in his foot during Saturday’s session.

Two local youngsters, strikers Graeme Ramage and Ciaran McElroy, were involved in the weekend work-out and could be invited on board at the Rock if they impress.

Ramage has been released by St Mirren, for whom he played against Celtic at Parkhead last season, while McElroy scored a barrowload of goals for Dumbarton Harp under-21s.

Alan said: “We will have a look at them and see how they get on. We have a bounce game against Stranraer at Glasgow Green on Thursday night so they will play in that.

“Training was very good at the weekend. Martin had a bit of a mishap and broke a bone in his foot which isn’t good news, but apart from that everybody looks in decent shape.

“Kieran Brannan, Stephen Grindlay and Adam Monaghan will start pre-season training this week after holidays, while Martin McBride will be involved in a couple of weeks.

“There is nothing to report at the moment in terms of definite transfer activity. We have 17 players on the books at the moment but we will keep looking.

“We are now getting close to the business end of pre-season. After the Stranraer game, we have more training and then a match with Cambuslang Rangers next Thursday.

“I can’t remember ever playing a match in June to prepare for a new season but that’s just how it goes with the campaign starting in July.”

Meanwhile, the possibilities of Andy Geggan and Ben Gordon returning to the Rock finally ended last week as the duo clinched deals at other clubs.

Geggan, previously the club’s longest-serving player having been there since 2006, is set for first division football next season with newly-promoted Ayr United.

Meanwhile, skipper Gordon has taken a step down to the third division, signing for relegated Alloa Athletic. He will face his ex-team in a closed-door friendly match on Saturday, July 16 at Recreation Park.

Ironically, his predecessor as captain, Michael Dunlop, also joined the Wasps after only one season donning the armband for Sons. He has since joined Brechin City in this close season.

Ryan McStay, the other player from last season whose future is still in the air, has not yet signed for any club.