DUMBARTON FC fans are prepared to “take scrutiny to the highest level” after a representative of the club’s ownership told The Reporter the privacy of investors “should be respected” write Kyle Crawford and Adam Thomas.

Sons director Ian Wilson published a statement on the club’s website in response to questions from the Reporter last week in which he said some investors in Brabco had asked to remain private.

Mr Wilson pledged two weeks ago to end Brabco’s offshore ownership after concerns were raised over a lack of transparency from the club over a proposed £13.5m stadium move. Brabco owns 75 per cent of the Sons and is ultimately owned by Belize-based company Granada Enterprises Ltd.

The known Brabco investors are Ian Wilson, Callum Hosie and Christopher Stainton. In an interview with the Reporter last week, Mr Stainton reaffirmed that position and indicated there are two other parties involved in Brabco.

Mr Stainton said the other investors’ anonymity should be respected and questioned if it was reasonable for fans to ask their identity to be revealed.

He said: “The Sonstrust are asking questions I would ask in their situation. They asked the right questions and we are largely seeking to answer questions as openly and transparently as we can.

“I think there are two other parties (in Brabco). The question that yourself and fans would need to ask yourselves also is what are the boundaries of reasonableness? If somebody in a private company has requested to remain private I think we’ve got an obligation to respect that.

“With the very best will in the world, what we should be focusing on is not who profits from this but what is the impact on the community and the club and what we’re trying to do.”

Simon Barrow, spokesman for Dumbarton FC fans group the Sonstrust, insists that as long as secrecy surrounds exactly who is set to profit from the ground move, concerns will remain.

Mr Barrow said: “We don’t accept that owning a football club is a private matter, or that it is reasonable that some of Dumbarton’s owners should be anonymous. Secrecy is incompatible with good business dealing, trust, transparency, due diligence and assurance that a club is owned by fit and proper persons.

“Football clubs should be community assets, not playthings of unaccountable dealers. If Brabco are open and can produce credible business plans, they will win support from fans. If not, concern will continue. We’re prepared to take scrutiny to the highest level.”

Dumbarton and the Vale MSP Jackie Baillie asserted there should be no reason for Brabco to fear full disclosure.

She said: “Transparency and openness is essential for building trust between Dumbarton fans and the directors. Fans and the wider community are willing to listen to the stadium proposals but they must have confidence in the directors who are bringing forward the plans.

“Given the level of public concern and the importance of the stadium to the future of the club, it is becoming increasingly difficult to justify keeping the identities of the investors unknown. If the people behind Brabco have nothing to hide then there should be no reason to fear full disclosure.”

Mr Stainton says he understands fans questioning the validity of the ground move but he urged supporters to wait until the club put their finalised plans to West Dunbartonshire Council in June before passing judgment.

He said: “I believe we’re in a blessed situation where the outcome should be positive for fans, the community, the council, the area and Brabco shareholders.”