Dumbarton manager Stevie Farrell has pledged that his players will come together and fight for survival in League One after the club was unexpectedly plunged into administration.

The 152-year-old club is now the second in the division to enter administration this season, following Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Dumbarton has been handed the same penalty as Inverness, a 15-point deduction, leaving them at the bottom of the table with no points.

Players and staff were reassured that their roles are secure ahead of Saturday’s fixture against Alloa. Addressing the situation, Farrell said:

“I spoke with the administrators this morning, and they assured me that the playing and coaching staff will continue as normal. We are focusing on preparing for Saturday’s match and the rest of the season from a football perspective. What happens behind the scenes, such as securing new investment, is now the responsibility of the administrators.

"I found out on Monday evening at 5.30 pm, and it came as a shock. However, I have been assured that this is the best step for the long-term sustainability of the club. At this difficult time, we all need to pull together and remain united. The points deduction is a harsh reality, but we must return to playing football and focus on earning as many points as possible.”

The financial advisory firm Quantuma, based in Glasgow, has been appointed to oversee the administration process. In a statement, joint administrator Ian Wright revealed that the club’s directors had no alternative but to enter administration after failing to receive payments linked to the sale of development land in 2021.

Wright stated:

“As administrators, we will investigate the circumstances surrounding this transaction and other matters affecting the club. However, we are not in a position to comment further at this time.

“Our immediate priority is to ensure that the club can fulfil its fixtures, and we will be engaging with key stakeholders to make this possible. We recognise this news will come as a shock to fans, staff, and the local community.

“The club employs 18 players, six football staff, and three club staff, and their roles remain secure as we navigate the early stages of this process. We encourage any interested parties to come forward.”

Dumbarton was acquired by Cognitive Capital in May 2021, a group led by Norwegian businessman Henning Kristoffersen. However, the Sons Supporters’ Trust has voiced concerns over the club’s ownership model for several years. Local MSP Jackie Baillie has also criticised the management, accusing Cognitive Capital of chasing a “get-rich pipe dream” and warning that the club risks stagnation.

As Dumbarton embarks on this challenging chapter, Farrell’s rallying call for unity will be key to the team’s hopes of recovering and maintaining their League One status.