Local lad Tony Wallace says his Dumbarton return has been a long-time coming, as he targets a title with the Sons.
Wallace, 32, was a key player for Annan Athletic as they defeated Dumbarton to win the playoffs last month.
But has now swapped Galabank for a second spell at The Rock.
And the Sons youth academy graduate, who made his senior debut for the club 13 years ago, hopes to make more memories in his second spell at the club.
He said: “All my memories from my first spell at the club are good ones.
“Promotion to the Championship in 2012 and scoring three goals in four playoff games was amazing.
“That was my first proper taste of first team football.
“This is the club I made my senior debut for, so I have nothing but good memories.
“I’ve come on leaps and bounds since then. I was still floating about trying to find my position.
“I was centre-half some weeks, right-back others and only got put on right-midfield in the playoffs.
“I’ve developed a lot, but I have to thank the experienced boys I was with for helping me.
“I’m a far better player than I was back then and I’m hoping to add more goals to my tally again this season.
“I’m just hoping I’ll be able to bring back the same memories and feelings I had when we won promotion before.”
Tony left the Sons in 2012 following promotion, with Morton paying a fee for his services.
A nomadic career has since seen him playing for a host of sides; from East Fife and Clyde to Broomhill and Nairn County, as well as a short spell with Rhu Amateurs - and most recently Annan Athletic.
However Tony admits a move back to G82 has been on the cards for a while.
He added: “It’s something I’ve been hoping would happen for some while, and it was a no-brainer to come back here after being promoted before.
“I’ve worked with the gaffer before when I trained with Stranraer, and his sessions were always sharp and intense.
“A couple of years ago Frank (McKeown) got in touch with me when they were at Stranraer. But I’d only just signed a two year deal with Annan so nothing could happen.
“My contract was coming to an end at Annan and I’d obviously played against Dumbarton six times last season, so Franko got back in touch.
“It was a few years ago that they first got in touch, but now we’re able to get it over the line.
“I’m really looking forward to getting started.
“I don’t normally look forward to pre-season but, for a number of reasons, I am this year.”
And Tony - who hit 18 goals from midfield in the 2021/22 campaign - says that winning promotion with Annan last year has made him hungry for more success.
“I didn’t want to see Dumbarton stay down, but I had a job to do at Annan and we were desperate for promotion” he explained.
“Up until last season 2011/12 with Dumbarton was the only promotion I’d won in my career.
“Last year has given me the hunger not just to win the playoffs again, but to win a league title.
“It’s all about promotion. It doesn’t matter if we go up via the playoffs or by winning the title. But having a winner’s medal would be ideal.”
