Dumbarton can reach the big time
Published 17 Mar 2011 12:00
FORMER Dumbarton striker Owen Coyle says the club has what it takes to reach the highs of the glory days of the 1980s when the team played in the Premier League.
The Bolton Wanderers boss was speaking to the Reporter last week and believes there is no reason why the Sons can't play at that level again so long as the right structure is put in place and more focus is put on young players.
During his time at Boghead, Coyle scored 36 goals in 103 appearances for the club between 1985 and 1988 and it was at Dumbarton where he began his career.
The 44-year-old said: "We accept Dumbarton has maybe slipped lower down just now, but there's no doubt they could come back again and I think if they get the infrastructure right at the club it could continue to progress and move back up the leagues.
"I remember everything about the place I could drive to Boghead right now and know my way about it and everything I loved about it. When you look at some of the players we had and the team I played in when Alan Moore was there and he's still a pal of mine.
"We had some terrific players and that's what Dumbarton needs again they need those young players."
He added: "I loved every time I was fortunate enough to pull that Dumbarton jersey over my head and I scored a lot of goals at a very good club.
"When you put it into context for Dumbarton to reach the Premier League then it was remarkable and you look at the conveyor belt of terrific players that they had Graeme Sinclair and Graeme Sharp and I was fortunate to see all these guys playing because I was a young kid growing up.
"I loved every minute and the characters of the football club, Dick Jackson, the groundsman, and Alex Wright.
"These were remarkable people and I loved every minute of my time. And Boghead, I absolutely loved Boghead."
This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 15 Mar 11
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