Sons of the Rock fight on

The administrators at Dumbarton FC, Quantuma, part of the AIM-listed K3 Capital Group, have provided an online and video update on their work in trying to salvage the club, clean up the financial situation, and bring it into responsible and sustainable ownership moving forward.

Fans have done an incredible job in raising nearly £100,000 through a GoFundMe ‘Save Our Sons’ fundraiser at https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-our-sons-1872. That will keep the team on the pitch through to March 2025, but Quantuma estimate that another £30,000 will be required to reach the end of the season – so the effort will now need a new burst of energy. 

It is reported that there have been some 20 expressions of interest in purchasing Dumbarton, one of Scotland’s most historic clubs. A group of people close to the Sons are also putting in a Letter of Community Interest, seeking a pathway forward “to progress possibilities for a form of future ownership which prioritises the safeguarding and development of the club as an active part of the local community, and which is committed to running it as a sustainable small business rather than primarily as a magnet for land and property speculation or debt-loading.”

Conversations with serious interested parties are likely to take place in the New Year, but Quantuma admit that there is still a good deal of hard work to be done in the meantime. They say that they also hope to be able to say more about investigations into deals around Dumbarton in the context of its purchasing in 2021 later in January. As reported in the media, a number of representations have been made to the police about these circumstances. 

Dame Jackie Baillie, the local MSP, is among those who have made it clear that they want to see Dumbarton flourish in future as a community focussed club with greater supporter engagement and stakeholding. That would mean an end to the speculation, instability and financial uncertainty which have dogged the last decade and more. 

Big questions also remain for the football authorities about safeguarding, accountability and transparency as to who gets to own football clubs in Scotland. SFSA intends to continue to press hard for independent scrutiny in such matters. The continuing catalogue of crisis impacting the game cannot be allowed to continue if it is to prosper.    

In the meantime, the fan-led financial drive continues apace. Long-time supporter and local musician Robert Ryan has released a ‘Stand Up For the Sons’ song for Christmas and Hogmanay. Further fundraising events will be announced in the New Year.