Published: Tuesday, 8th July, 2008 10:10
'Stolen' Sons strips for sale on internet
By Mike Farrell
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Players Andy Geggan, Alan Gourley and Mark Canning pose in the new training kit, the official playing kit has still to be launched
A DODGY dealer has allegedly been caught selling Dumbarton FC football strips online, which are not even in the shops yet.
However, after being rumbled by fans, the 2008/09 gear has now been removed from a popular internet auction site.
It is believed the new Dumbarton FC kit — which is not expected to be officially launched until later this month — was stolen on-route to the Burgh.
After the new strips were spotted on sale on eBay, the trader quickly removed the items, which both the club and fans were pleased to see happen.
The Sons chief executive has been quick to reassure fans that the situation is under control, and also offered advice to fans wanting to buy the new kit made by English company Surridge.
Gilbert Lawrie told the Reporter: “We are satisfied that our supplier is doing everything possible to ensure the incident won’t happen again.
“As a club we are committed to selling these goods through the club shop and our website.
“We would advise our supporters against buying any goods via sites like eBay, as we cannot guarantee that such items are genuine or are not, as in this instance, stolen goods.”
Dumbarton supporters, although eager to get their hands on the new strip, also condemned the move by the alleged web-conman.
Alan Findlay, secretary of the Sons Trust, said: “The person who did this has a bit of cheek to be perfectly honest.
“It really is an unfortunate occurrence, but we are glad that it has been dealt with so swiftly.
“This sort of thing takes income away from the club, which is not a good thing, and I wouldn’t encourage any supporters to buy merchandise from unofficial websites.”
The exclusive Sons tops, shorts and socks appeared for sale on the site on Sunday (June 29), but were withdrawn later in the week.
Surridge bosses — the new kit supplier for Dumbarton FC for next season — have been left both red-faced and relieved that the problem was stamped out hastily.
A Surridge spokesman said: “The strips should not have ended up on the internet and it would be an offence to buy one of the stolen tops.
“The Dumbarton strips were part of a larger batch including other teams’ products which were stolen prior to arrival and now the police are undertaking an investigation.”
The new Sons strip will be available through the club website and shop at the Strathclyde Homes Stadium later this month.
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