Published: Tuesday, 24th July, 2007 10:17
RYAN SIGNS FOR SONS
By GARE CLYDE
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WHEN Ryan Russell signed for Dumbarton last week he turned the clock back in local football history.
The Helensburgh lad was only the second player from the burgh in recent years to sign for the local senior club.
Before him was John Ritchie a few years ago, and before John in the late eighties was Alistair Brown, resident in Rosneath and a pupil at Hermitage Academy. He was signed from his school desk by then manager, Davie Wilson, the former Rangers and Scotland star.
Although only 20 Ryan has been around a bit in his own football career. He started, after schools football at the Academy, playing for Ardencaple BC under-10s in Helensburgh when the team manager was local painting boss Tony Frances.
Later Ryan�s dad, Alan, became his manager at Caple. Then he moved on to Dumbarton United, then had two years as a pro-youth at Celtic.
Motherwell then beckoned the youngste,r and he was at Firs Park for three years on a full-time basis. After his sojourn in the steel town, he moved on to Morton for one season before opting to cross the river and join Sons.
Ryan tells me: �I have enjoyed all my time in football, but when I ended my year with Morton they offered me terms, full-time, I thought it was time for a change as the sums did not add up and I needed more security.
�My thoughts had always been on Dumbarton, as a part-time player, and having an out of football job.
�Right now I am delighted to be with Dumbarton. I like the place. I like the people and I am sure I will be happy here. There will be a lot of competition for team places in the new season, but I will be working hard to achieve first team status.�
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