SONS SET UP GLAMOUR TIE WITH BORO

0 - 0 • Published 2 Jun 2009 11:00

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Relegated Premiership side will take on Dumbarton

DUMBARTON are pulling out all the stops in pre-season with a glamour tie arranged against recently relegated Premiership side Middlesbrough.

Gareth Southgate will bring his players to stay at the Cameron House Hotel on Loch Lomondside as they prepare for life in the Championship.

And after they inquired about the possible use of the Strathclyde Homes Stadium to use as a training facility, Sons boss Jim Chapman, pictured, went one better.

He told Sport Scene: 'Not one to miss an opportunity I thought why not ask if they will give us a wee game while they are here - and they agreed.

'It came about through a friend that I know who spoke to me about them coming to stay at Cameron House.

'They were looking at the possibility of using our ground to train on.

'We have spoken to Cameron House before about our facilities being available for situations like this and we have a good relationship with the hotel, I know our players enjoyed themselves up there.

'It is still to be completely confirmed, but it is now at the stage of just sorting out some formalities.'

The match is scheduled to be played on Wednesday July 22 and Chapman"s troops could line up against the likes of Turkish international striker Tuncay and ex-Celtic loan star Jeremie Aliadiere.

Chapman, who was crowned Irn Bru Third Division manager of the year last week, added: 'It will be a good night that"s for sure. I admire how Gareth Southgate goes about his business and they are a fantastic football side who will certainly give us a tough test.

'But that"s what I want in pre-season, I aim for us to face higher level opposition as I want the guys to be challenged. And it lets me see any problems or weaknesses before the season starts proper.

'And with St Mirren, Partick Thistle and now Middlesbrough playing us, what a hell of a start we have.'

Dumbarton have also been drawn against First Division side Morton in the first round of the Challenge Cup.

Pre-season dates: Partick Thistle (H) July 14,St Mirren (H) July 16, Annan tournament (A) July 18/19, Middlesbrough (H) July 22, Stirling Albion (A) TBC, East Stirling (H) TBC.

This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 02 Jun 09

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