DUMBARTON Football Club has joined forces with local business chiefs in a bid to help the area’s economy recover from the effects of the pandemic.

The club has given its backing to the Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce’s Covid-19 business resilience strategy ‘Together for Business’ as well as the ongoing ‘Loves Local’ campaign encouraging people in Dumbarton in the Vale to buy from small local businesses even when many actual shop premises are closed.

Dumbarton officials have also agreed to host a free event at the C&G Systems Stadium at the end of the lockdown to give businesses the chance to build new face-to-face relationships, rebuild ones put on hold by Covid-19, and share knowledge and advice to get small firms across Dumbarton, the Vale and beyond back on their feet.

A club spokesperson said: “Dumbarton FC are hugely grateful for the support and sponsorship we receive from local businesses which also employ many of our supporters.

“The club wants to offer some form of assistance to those who are inevitably finding times very challenging in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and its economic impact.

“We believe that such networking events, in partnership with the Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, will help to support businesses to emerge from this difficult period.”

Damon Scott, the Chamber’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted to connect with Dumbarton Football Club to look at ways we can work together for our mutual benefit and that of the wider economy and community.

“Initially, DFC will be get behind the Loves Local campaign the Chamber is leading on in our Dunbartonshire towns, and we have already partnered up to present a fantastic whisky-tasting event along with Chivas.

“There are also plans to present a series of ongoing business networking events and we are discussing the possibility of leadership and motivating teams themes for some sessions.”