Lets imagine for a minute that Jim comes to the meet the managers and explains the financial constrictions are meaning a change in direction for the team.
We must face reality that on the catchment area we have and the gates we have to live on does not allow us as a club to sign experienced players on inflated wages when we can’t justify it in the short-term never mind the long-term.
When the youth policy was first mooted the trust faced diametric opposition from the corridors of power,various tuts and whats in it for us ,and that is a quote from a conversation I had with a director.
It seems to me that bringing so many young lads in this season this is what the manager is thinking.
Now not so many years ago fans had direct contact with players and I am still in contact with a few of them.
A lot of what is wrong with the modern game is fans are kept in the dark and have no access to the players.
I have used the example before of the night I was at Hampden ,I was 12 or 13 and Scotland were playing Northern Ireland
My Dad and I were standing at the pie stall and he nudged me and said “do you see who is over there” , it was Alan Gilzean,Ian Ure and I think Alex Hamilton.
I stood there stuck to the spot when I saw them ,and with programme in shaking hands I went over to ask for their autographs they all put down their pie and drinks and signed my Programme for me.
The point of that story is –can you imagine that now–no is the answer.
Not at the same level but that does not happen for wee lads at Dumbarton but our players are as much heroes to them.
It’s not so long ago when I lost a bet to James McInstray and had to dress up as Superman at Ayr.
The point is that we felt part of the club then ,we sure as hell don’t now.
If Jim on saturday says we are completely going the youth way I would accept that and anything that goes with it.
The reality of it is if we do not go that way, and try to be something we are not, there is only one way it will end.
In tears and the demise of one of the oldest clubs in the world
