As revealed in the Reporter last week, Dumbarton FC will be launching a public consultation for the proposed development at Young’s farm near Dalmoak.

A pre-planning application for a 4,000 capacity football stadium was submitted to West Dunbartonshire Council on Monday, September 14.

The new stadium would have 3,000 seats and terracing for 1,000 people, dedicated training facilities, additional playing pitches for community use, and car and coach parking facilities.

Land restrictions mean that these requirements cannot be accommodated at the existing site.

Speaking last week, Brian Payne, chairman of the Sons Trust, said: “We want to ensure that supporters and the community have a significant stake in developments effecting the future of Dumbarton FC. We are pleased that the club has noted both these points explicitly in its statement, and is committed to sharing information with us and engaging directly, following a meeting between the club and trust boards earlier this year.” He added: “Our job is to ensure that fans’ voices are heard and responded to.

“The club is looking to match success on the pitch with decisions off it, and it is clear that there are big decisions ahead for all of us.” However, some fans have contacted the Reporter and taken to forums and social media to air their concerns online. Dumbarton fan David Ferguson said: “We have a stadium which is perfectly suited to our needs and has only once been sold out (against Hearts), so moving to larger capacity makes little sense, especially when you start adding a gym, hotels, restaurants, and a whole host of stuff that a part-time football team doesn’t need.

“The running costs would cripple the club. I will wait to see the proposals in November and hopefully we can hear from our owners too.” Some fans have also voiced scepticism, saything this is not about moving the club forward but repaying old debts.

Another fan added: “There’s only one reason we are planning to relocate to a slightly bigger stadium and it’s to give the directors a return on the money they invested when Neil Rankine sold up.” Dumbarton FC declined to comment when these concerns were put to them by the Reporter.

However, commenting last week a spokesman said: “The club has been looking for a new site for a stadium for over five years and we are excited to now progress plans for a new sporting facility that can put DFC at the heart of the local community.

“Consultations have been had with our Supporters Trust, and our forthcoming public exhibition will allow our supporters and residents to view our proposals.”