Dumbarton FC

Dumbarton 2 Airdrie United 0 - Scottish League Division Two

Scottish Football League

During World War II Dumbarton was heavily bombed by the German air force. The Germans were targeting the shipyards, and the area in the vicinity of the yards was consequently hit, with Clyde and Leven street being severely damaged. In an attempt to lure the German aircraft away from the shipyards, decoy lights were routinely placed on the Kilpatrick hills above the town, lights were set out on reservoirs to mimic those of the shipyards reflecting on the waters of the Leven and Clyde, this was sometimes successful in diverting the bombers and many bombs fell harmlessly onto the moors and lochs. From the mid 1700's to the early 1800s Dumbarton's main industry was glassmaking. As the glass industry declined the town became a major centre for shipbuilding and remained so well into the 20th century. There were many shipbuilding yards, although a number of them were later absorbed by larger yards. A great many ships were built in the town, the most famous of which is probably the Cutty Sark which was built by the Scott & Linton yard, she was one of the final 'tea clippers' to be built, and one of the fastest.

Cutty Sark

This was the 3rd leg of my epic 3 matches in less than 48 hours in Scotland. It had started with a Friday night trip out to Coatbridge to watch Albion Rovers take on the emerging Gretna and was followed by a Saturday lunchtime encounter between Stranraer and Peterhead. This adjustment to the fixture list was caused by Scotland taking on Holland over 2 legs in a European Championship Qualifying Pay-Off.


The stadium has a capacity of 2025, and was built in 2000 after the move away from Dumbarton's traditional home, the wonderful Boghead Park visited by the Pieman in 1996. The stadium is a one-stand affair, opened in December 2000. Apart from the Pieman, Airdrie United were also making their first visit to the Strathclyde Homes Stadium. However, I did have a problem with the Dumbarton mascot, a ridiculous looking elephant, who after me finding a superb seat proceeded to block my view. I was able to move seats but this elephant also had an altercation with the Airdrie left back and was clearly a pest.

As was the case for Boghead Park, Dumbarton East is the nearest railway station, being no more than 10 minutes walk from the Stadium. Having enjoyed a few pints the previous day in Stranraer, I settled for just the one at the Stags Head, a decent pub opposite the railway station. Even on a Sunday there is a regular train service and after the match it was not long before I was on my way back to Glasgow in order to catch the connection to the airport for my flight to Stansted.

The Pieman's visit to Dumbarton's former ground - Boghead Park

Stranraer FC

Stranraer 0 Peterhead 2 - Scottish League Division Three

Scottish Football League

Stranraer is a town in the south of Scotland in the west of the region of Dumfries and Galloway and in the county of Wigtownshire. It is best known as a ferry port connecting Scotland with Belfast in Northern Ireland. Stranraer lies on the shores of Loch Ryan on the northern side of the isthmus joining the Rhins of Galloway to the mainland. Stranraer and its surrounding area saw a significant amount of activity during the Second World War, as it became a focus for anti U-boat work. Flying boats operated from the area to attempt to secure the waters of the North Channel and the south western coast of Scotland, with both areas seeing almost all Britain’s shipping imports pass through those seas en-route to the Clyde or the Mersey.

Stena Caledonia entering Belfast Lough from Stranraer

An early start to catch the 07.13 from Glasgow to Stranraer. Like the Albion match and all others this weekend, this fixture was switched to allow supporters the opportunity to watch the Scotland v Netherlands match in the afternoon. A noon kick off at 'Stair Park' was the order of the day. Apart from myself, Peterhead were also making their first ever visit to 'Stair Park' and will have been delighted to come away with all the points courtesy of a 2-0 victory

Coo Shed Stand

This was the 2nd leg of my epic 3 matches in less than 48 hours in Scotland. It had started with a Friday night trip out to Coatbridge to watch Albion Rovers take on the emerging Gretna The conclusion being a Sunday afternoon fixture between Dumbarton and Airdrie United. This adjustment to the fixture list was caused by Scotland taking on Holland over 2 legs in a European Championship Qualifying Pay-Off.

After the match there was the little matter of the Scotland game and I adjourned to the Rudicot Hotel, as recommended in the superb Scottish Football Ground Guide and emerged 5 hours later. The locals allowed me to join their party and I watched the Scotland match and the 2nd half of Russia v Wales in splendid company. The landlord provided the complimentary Scotch Pies for half time.


The Pieman is unable to comment on the return train journey back to Glasgow as he was rather sleepy!

Albion Rovers FC

Albion Rovers 1 Gretna 3 - Scottish League Division Three

Scottish Football League

Coatbridge is a town in North Lanarkshire, Scotland approximately 9 miles east of Glasgow. At the 2001 Census it had a population of 41,170 making it the 23rd largest town or city in Scotland. In the 19th century, fuelled by the local discovery of ironstone, Coatbridge became a major centre for the iron and steel industry. The town expanded quickly and the new industries assisted the massive impact Glasgow made on the world of shipbuilding. However, with the decline of shipbuilding on the River Clyde in the mid 1900s the demand for iron and steel dropped. This led the iron and coal industries to collapse which led to poverty and deprivation which in turn led to drastic population fall from approximately 90,000 at the end of the 19th century to today's level.

Main Street, Coatbridge as it was c1904

A late morning flight from Stansted enabled me to reach Glasgow mid-afternoon. Despite rain throughout the day, all 5 of the scheduled Friday evening matches went ahead. My choice being the short journey to Coatbridge, home of Albion Rovers. I travelled from Glasgow Queen Street (low level) station, alighting at Coatdyke from where a short walk enabled me to reach the ground.

Cliftonhill
www.albionrovers.com

Gretna, who I had seen in their non-league days at venues such as Whitley Bay and Belper Town (whole match Nigel -Ed), now had a wealthy backer and were already looking a good promotion bet. The Cliftonhill Stadium is another venue that has seen better days. For my visit, as is the norm, only one side of the ground was open. It poured with rain throughout the match and despite being under cover the terracing in front of the main stand was still liable for a soaking via the unintended ventilation gaps. On the terracing at Cliftonhill there was a fan known as 'Mad Professor' if I recall correctly, taking travel bookings for the next away match.

Cliftonhill
www.worldstadia.com

Gretna were good value for their 3-1 victory, playing some neat pacey football in the process. This was the 1st leg of my epic 3 matches in less than 48 hours in Scotland. It was followed by a Saturday lunchtime encounter between Stranraer and Peterhead. The conclusion being a Sunday afternoon fixture between Dumbarton and Airdrie United. This adjustment to the fixture list was caused by Scotland taking on Holland over 2 legs in a European Championship Qualifying Pay-Off.

Jamie's visit to Cliftonhill courtesy of Fitba Daft