Local lad Ross Banks hopes he can be Dumbarton’s secret weapon this season.
The former Dumbarton Academy pupil joined Stevie Farrell’s backroom staff as the club’s new sports scientist earlier this month, and is relishing the chance to work with his hometown team.
Ross, a first class honours graduate from the University of Glasgow, counts Annan Athletic, St Mirren and Partick Thistle amongst his former clubs - but is now determined to play his part in helping the Sons secure promotion this year.
Speaking exclusively to the Lennox, Ross said: “Straight away I was attracted to working at Dumbarton as my local club.
“It seems like a promising opportunity. There’s a strong backroom staff and a lot of good players have come in.
“The ground and the facilities are excellent and everything is there for us to strive towards having a successful season.
“I’ll always strive for us to get better and better. Sports science is all about marginal gains and one percent changes.
“With two clubs being relegated from the league above we know it’s going to be an even more competitive league than it was last year. But I feel as if, with the squad we have, we can have a memorable season.
“I’m really looking forward to working with Stevie Farrell and his team. They have great experience in the game and a huge interest in all aspects of football.
“They have a real passion for the game.”
The sports science role is a relatively new one in lower league football, and Ross revealed more about what it entails - as well as the challenges he faces working with players who all have full-time jobs.
“It’s quite a hands on role and one that has a lot to do with strength and conditioning,” he continued.
“It’s about trying to get the players as fit and athletic as they can be, making sure they are primed and ready for matchday and training sessions.
“At a part-time level it’s a bit different to what you get in full-time football, we’ll have players working where it can be hard to maintain fitness levels.
“But to be honest the players are raring to go, my job is about maintaining that level of fitness so that they are ready to try and get promoted.
“It’s really important that you have a personal relationship with players to try and get them on board with what you are looking for them. That’s the key.
“It’s something I’ve managed to do in my previous jobs. I’ve managed to have that personal touch, get into the gym with the players and make the sessions fun as well as demanding.”
Ross replaces Matty Fenwick, who left the Sons to join Hibernian, in the role - and hopes to emulate his success, as well as helping others take their first steps in the industry.
He added: “Matty did a great job before me and has gone on to pastures new. I can’t wait to follow in his footsteps and help with my contacts to bring in students to help develop their own skills as well.”
