Dumbarton boss Aitken axed by third tier strugglers
DUMBARTON have parted company with manager Stevie Aitken after a disappointing start to their League One campaign.
The Sons, who were relegated from the Championship after being defeated by Alloa in the play-offs back in May, relieved Aitken of his duties after the 3-2 defeat at Stranraer on Saturday left them in ninth place.
Ironically, Aitken joined Dumbarton from Stranraer back in May 2015, but his three-year reign at the club is now at an end.
A club statement read: “It was with a great deal of regret today that a chapter closed in the history of Dumbarton FC, with the club parting company with Stevie Aitken. Today’s news ended a tenure which began in May 2015.
“He went on to keep the club in the Championship twice, and became the first man in 121 years to manage the club in one of the three current national cup finals.
“There can also be very few managers at part-time level whose first league game in charge of the club was a victory over the team who went on to win that season’s Scottish Cup. It was an outcome that was repeated later in the season on that club’s other visit to Dumbarton.
“As well as Hibernian, victories have been posted against the likes of Dundee United and St Mirren, and we were within seconds of taking the Irn Bru Cup final to extra time.
“The Dumbarton FC board would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Stevie for all of this and for all his hard work, which started as soon as he walked through the door nearly three and a half years ago.
“It is unfortunate that results this season have not matched the ambitions of either the club or Stevie himself, despite his tireless efforts and that of the staff and squad.
“We are only too aware of the injuries which at times have severely impacted the playing squad this season. That was one of a range of considerations taken into account by the board in reaching a difficult decision.
“However, after careful and ongoing discussion, it was felt that a change at this stage, at the end of the first quarter of the season, can help bring about longer term revived fortunes on the pitch as Dumbarton FC strives to move forward.
“There are still 81 points to play for over the remaining three-quarters of the season and our commitment is to continue to improve both on and off the pitch.”