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.
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