Returning Son John Gemmell has revealed that a gruelling fitness regime has him in the best shape of his career – at the age of 37.
The towering forward, who earned the nickname The Beast due to his imposing stature during his first spell at The Rock, completed a sensational return to the club last week – more than 15 years after leaving.
Gemmell spent last season with Cambuslang Rangers in the West of Scotland League, but looked set to hang up his boots – until a chance meeting with Dumbarton boss Stevie Farrell.
He explained: “I stepped away from football at the end of last season and I joined the gym.
“I think I’d had a really bad day and needed to get it out of the system. Since then I’ve been going to the gym five times a week for the last 11 weeks, usually at about 4 or 5 in the morning.
“I’ve lost 12 or 13kg in the last three months.
“During that time one of my pals asked me if I wanted to play for an over-35s team and I said yes. By chance, the gaffer, Stevie Farrell, was playing.
“I got a wee bit fitter and texted him as a joke after the 0-0 draw with Raith Rovers last month to say that he needed me up front as a bit of something different.
“He phoned me and asked me to come in. He said he couldn’t guarantee anything but said if I worked hard then there might be a deal at the end of it.
“I was injured for the first three weeks, but now here I am. Fitter than I’ve ever been and ready to go.”
Gemmell admits that his return to senior football after a six-year stint in the non-league game was a surprise, but that he felt he had unfinished business in the SPFL.
He continued: “If someone had said I’d be here six months ago I’d have said absolutely not. They’d be lucky if I was still playing football.
“I had to step away from senior football for personal reasons, and it’s something I regret.
“I always knew I had it in me to come back and play though.
“Obviously a lot of people are doubting what I can do for the team because of my age, but I’ve played in the top division of the West of Scotland League and it isn’t that different.
“Once I got the call I was never going to go anywhere else.”
And he treasured every minute of his return to action as Sons player in Saturday’s victory against former club Stenhousemuir.
Gemmell added: “It’s absolutely brilliant to be back. Coming on, getting us up the park and helping the boys out is just as good as starting a game for me.
“I know I’m not going to start many games. But at least when I come on I know I can help get the boys up the park a bit.”
Boss Farrell said: “I think everyone saw on Saturday what John brings. A number of times his intelligence and his know-how pinned their centre-backs and got us up the pitch.
“He’s a real threat and he’s getting fitter and fitter.
“Like the other players in the squad, he’ll be chapping my door wanting to play.”
