Written by John - OTR Thursday, 23 July 1998 00:00

The game that never was. This fixture had been listed in the Scotland On Sunday as scheduled for Saturday 25th July. The same information appeared in the Glasgow Herald on the Saturday morning of the game.

Armed with this knowledge, Gary, Graeme and myself met up in Stirling and went for a couple of pre-match drinks. At ten to three, we jumped into a taxi and headed for Forthbank whereupon things took a turn for the worse. There were only three cars in the car park. There was no team bus. There were no supporters or club officials. It looked bad.

The confusing thing was that there were signs up saying "Dumbarton Support - Turnstiles 3+4". But the aformentioned turnstiles were closed, in fact they all were. Game's a bogey.

The day wasn't a total loss though as the exit doors that opened into the stadium were unlocked. So we wandered in and I took the opportunity to test my digital camera by taking photosof Gary and Graeme in the empty Forthbank. After a wee chat with three other Dumbarton fans who also believed the game was on we headed back via the Kentucky Fried Chicken place, to the pub to drink and reflect on a strange day.

So for those of you who actually want to know about the match, it was played on Thursday 23rd July. Dumbarton lost.

Pub Summary

Hogshead - Belgian Beer. Mmmmmmmm

The Port Customs - Typical working mans pub in which Gary spilt his pint.

The Portcullis - Perhaps a few to many tourists but good beer and a nice barmaid who looks like a girl out of Neighbours.