A squad of Dumbarton fans are set to take on their heroes at The Rock next month, as part of the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
Supporters had the chance to buy a place in the starting XI, or on the bench, for the game on Saturday May 7 - which kicks off at 2pm.
The Sons fans side will be managed by striker John Gemmell, whilst a supporter will take charge of the all-stars - who feature a host of names from the past.
Among those to have signed up are club icons Craig Brittain, Derek Carcary and Christian Nade, local heroes Martin Mooney, Toby King and Hugh Ward and manager Stevie Farrell, assistant Frank McKeown and goalkeeping coach Eric Phillips.
And the lineup has excited John Sartain, who is helping to organise the event.
He said: “The response has been incredible from ex-players. I suppose that reflects well on the club that they enjoyed their time here so much there’s been very little hesitation from them.
Antonia Love at the club helped with getting the majority of the squad.
Alex Grace, who can’t play because he’s waiting on a knee replacement, was a big help in getting players from his time at the club.
“The same goes for Lee Sharp. I managed to get in touch with him and he kept suggesting players and passing on phone numbers and it just fell into place.
“There are one or two still involved with the game and we’ll need to see what happens with their respective clubs before they can play but overall we’ve done really well and I am pleased with just how up for it they all are.
“The reaction from supporters was superb. We had such a great response that we had to create a reserve list. It could be a once-in-a-lifetime game and the fans treated it as such with their interest.
“There are guys in the fan’s team who have a strong connection to the club. Patrick Heaney’s grandad was the late great John Heaney who starred for the club in the 1950s, we’re going to have a Monaghan brother on either side and we’ve potentially got a husband refereeing his wife. So there are plenty of wee subplots to keep an eye on.
“I suppose a big tip of the hat must go to Michael McVey who originally tried to get the game up and running last season.
“With it being the club’s 150th anniversary it felt like the timing was right to try to make it happen once more and I’m glad it’s been so popular.”
The match has proved a big hit with fans too, and Sartain hopes it can boost the community feel around the club.
He continued: “These events are massive for that community feel. It’s something the club needs to pounce on and I think to be fair they do realise that themselves.
“There are more and more going on at the stadium and our fan base must be as young as it’s ever been in recent years with the Young Sons. If this event can go some way in engaging more with the locals and get them down on a matchday then I’d say it was a job done.”
