Old Scrotum

I am sorry that I don't get a daily update. The reason for the initial post was to let you know that Brabco appeared to be selling out sooner than later, something I thought that you may be interested in. Apparently not, so I'll say no more on the subject.

My deepest, beer-sodden apologies. I should have said the 1953 semi-final against Ashfield. (Played at Ibrox on the Saturday evening, attendance 33,000.) Consider my wrists smacked very roughly.

In 1952 Rangers played Hibs at Ibrox. The game was followed by the Junior Cup Final between Vale of Leven and Dunipace. Combining the two attendances - many stayed for the second game - makes it the largest one-day attendance at Ibrox. (If you see what I mean.)

Male (or he was I'm sure the last time he looked). Local person if you term his Drymen upbringing as "local". (Hence why I know him.) Current self-employed person although based in mid-France. Regularly returns to visit family hence the reason for an Easter meeting - the next time he can make it home. Nothing to do with railways but give him a bottle of malt and a straw and I'm sure he'll be happy. Fifer? Eh, no. If anyone wants look back through my previous nonsensical postings you will see I've mentioned his interest before. And as I have had to confirm to "certain persons" yes, he does have the money. He wants to see DFC continue - not as something that will make him rich(er). Sorry that I can't be more specific but you will understand that the process of due diligence is ongoing at both ends. Remember the Salmon Leap Inn? Now you have a pretty good idea.

Yes, I am here. I'm not sure that I want to "name names" with regard to who has been contacted about this matter. I'm a sort of "semi-agent" having been asked to find things out and keep my mate apprised. Likewise, he has been telling me how things are going (on the surface, I suspect). The response he received - and I know not from who - and which I posted here last was to a request for an Easter meeting. Whether the suggestion that he should move before then is bluff neither of us know. He contacted me with this information yesterday to find out if I knew anything about it. I'll keep you updated. Damn - two hours and thirty-seven minutes still to go. (And Neil Rankine EATS breakfast so I'm unlikely to be with him.)

Ok. For those of you who think I'm a drunken old sot who spouts a pile of shite what follows is not for you. If, however, you are prepared to let me give you some FACTS then read on although I am merely the messenger, not the piano player. The question of how much it would cost to "buy out" Brabco was asked (by someone I know) a few weeks past. At that stage he was quoted a minimum price - although the figure he had previously suggested to me he would be prepared to invest was UP TO three times that amount (don't tell Brabco). An approach by him was made today with the intention of talking to the mysterious Brabco over the Easter weekend. He was told that he should "move quicker than that" as Brabco have "other fish that they want to fry". Now, read into that last quote what you will. To me it sounds like Brabco are willing to off-load the club at a major loss and I cannot get that well-known car-park owner Neil Rankine out of my mind. Make of the above what you wish, but may my Doom Bar turn sour if anything I have written is false. 61 years of watching Dumbarton may have driven me mad, but I wouldn't take the p**s out of any Sons supporter on a subject as important as this.

In addition to the general consensus above I would demand the keeping of Jacqui the steward.

If you think you can get away with it, yes. Just don't tell Mr. Jacqui.

The faux brick will be used to build the faux stadium at Dalmoak. I wonder if I can have "Old Scrotum loves Jacqui the Steward".

Good idea but I lost interest when I discovered that the complimentary pre-match booze didn't start flowing until 14:30. Reminds me of The President's Club which was fine until the blazers decided that they couldn't breathe the same air as the proles.

Haven't been in this particular establishment for a while. Who told them I was intending visiting?

Now that we have the 'Ultras', what do you think of creating a 'family section' at that end?

Sorry, as Forfar have come close to being EF's bunnies this season your argument is leaking after barely a half-pint.

Starting to look like Brechin and The Station Hotel will be off next year's excursions, especially as we have to play at home. Stranraer too, I admit, but I think they're capable of surviving just out of spite so we have to make that bloody journey twice again.

As we have beaten EF three times in a row in the same season and therefore now have them to keep, can we not simply add their points total to our own? Bingo! Ten points clear at the top.

"*Complimentary drinks, Tea & Coffee pre and post match in the DFC boardroom" (it says). The important thing is that comma.

I only had to read the words "complimentary drinks" and I was hooked. Premier Season Ticket here I come!!

That's a Stevie Aitken formation, isn't it?

So what's the story with Brian McLean?

Mr. Angry's evening classic: the ball is passed back to the Raith 'keeper from half-way and he has no-one within about 30 yards of him. Up leaps Mr. Angry and yells "DON'T LET HIM TURN!!!!!!!!" Although, to be fair, that did seem to be his 'phrase of the evening'.

Would have taken a point beforehand but it was a sore way to lose all three. Can't grumble about the result on the night, though. I think Thomas has to stop trying to get out of tight spots by playing the short, easy pass instead of trying to wriggle through the crowd or continually looking for Forbes. He gave the ball away too often that way, especially in the second half.

Was that the follicly-challenged chap who was on the home turnstiles? If so I heard him tell the little drummer boy and the end of the match to "keep that thing at home next time!" I've got to say, while I admire their enthusiasm I'm starting to be won over to the "ban the drum" brigade, especially when it is accompanied by the banging on the metal walls of the stand. Jackie the Head Steward - lovely girl, always good for a cuddle - was looking non too happy when that was going on. The problem is that we only have one stand and everybody in the home end has to like it or lump it. In other grounds where drums are permitted you have a choice to sit elsewhere. I think I'll bring along my 1960s wooden football rattle and see what happens. Or, I know where I can lay my hands on a vuvuzela although I think these are actually banned at Scottish football grounds like all fun things - bringing in drink, invading the pitch after a goal.............. (I remember when the metal advertising boards were installed on the wall around the pitch at Boghead and immediately became a source of rhythmic accompaniment to the community singing.)

The holy of holies. (NOT the hole of holes, before somebody says it.)

I read that the esteemed mental men of the SPFL are meeting today (probably in the Florida Park Bar) to discuss setting up a fifth league which will include the "colts" teams of the bigot brothers. Not content with there being too many professional clubs already, many of whom - including our own - are struggling, the suits have come up with a cunning plan to further enhance the coffers of both halves of the Old Firm arse. You can get away with "2nd XIs" in the leagues of the larger countries of Europe where there are enough paying punters but not here. Non-league sides (who, remember, can already make their way up the pyramid system) have a core support. Will it increase that much by putting them in a fifth division? I can only foresee senior clubs such as DFC losing more supporters if another club in the locale was "promoted" to the senior ranks in order to join a Stevie Aitken-type wonderland where everybody will suddenly become rich. By saying "everybody" I've come full circle from the mental men and their Old Firm bum-chums. Rant over. Time for a sausage roll.

I was speaking to a chap in the rub-a-dub (apologies to those offended) who had been watching Sons from the mid-70s - he was enthusiastic about the 1976 cup run - but gave up at the end of last season content that he had "seen Dumbarton in a cup final". He obviously still has an interest by the questions he was asking about our current plight, but it is sad that he feels that there is nothing to entice him back. If I meet up with him again I'll do my best to drag him to the next home game (whichever that may be) and hopefully stir that latent support. No criticism of Aitken or the Alloa fiasco - just somebody who appears to think nothing is going to get better for whatever reason.