For life-long fan Jack Brough, seeing Dumbarton lift the trophy would mean the world, but to do so while wearing his late grandad’s scarf would be “something else”.

Like most Sons supporters, the 18-year-old’s love for the club has been passed down through the generations – in Jack’s case from his grandad Graham Brough to his mum Gillie, who started attending games as a child, and then on to him.

The former Vale of Leven Academy pupil, who lives in Renton, has now been a season ticket holder since he was four and has been selling programmes voluntarily on matchdays since he was 12.

The three generations used to attend games together and when long-time season ticket holder Graham passed away when Jack was 11, a collection was made at his funeral which went towards the Graham Brough Memorial Shield now presented to Dumbarton’s fan of the year at the annual player of the year awards.

The scarf that Graham wore to games for more than 40 years was left to Jack in his will.

But for fear of something happening to it, Jack, who at the age of one was carried out in the captain’s arms as the first mascot at the new stadium in 2000, never dared wear it to a game.

“I felt it was something almost sacred, the fact that I’d never worn it before and it had belonged to him,” he explained.

But as the Sons took on The New Saints, he decided to wear it for the first time, just as his grandad had before him, the last time the club reached a national semi-final, back in 1976 when they vied against Hearts at Hampden for a place in the Scottish Cup final.

Jack said: “I just hoped it would bring us luck on the day and I suppose it did. It was very special as well because if we had won the game back in 1976 he would have seen us at a national cup final, but of course he didn’t get to because we lost the game and the fact I was there to see us get to a cup final, it was very special to me.”

Now, as Dumbarton face Inverness Caley Thistle, Jack will be donning the scarf once again in memory of his grandad and hopes it will bring the same luck that helped the Sons clinch a 2-1 victory to book their berth in the final.

He added: “We’re such a family orientated club. It’s something that has been passed on to me through the generations and that has been passed on to most Dumbarton supporters.

“The last time we won a trophy all three generations were there, myself, my mum and my grandad were all there in 2009 and that was in the league and I remember that vividly.

“I absolutely hope it will bring us luck again. That would be my absolute highlight of supporting Dumbarton – to win a national cup competition and to be wearing my grandad’s scarf and to be sat beside my mum watching the game and watching us win – that would be something else.”

Jack’s mum Gillie, who has been organising the supporters buses heading to the final, says she too can’t wait for the big occasion.

She explained: “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. There is no better time to be a Sons fan than right now.

“I get goosebumps just thinking about it. It doesn’t happen very often so it makes it all the sweeter.”