The term legend is chucked about meaninglessly nowadays. Players who have scored one decent goal are instantly labelled as one from over excited fans. Bryan Prunty is no such player.
Signing for Dumbarton in May 2011 nobody could surely have predicted how much of a hero the hitman would become with the Sons faithful. Bryans first goal for the club came against East Stirlingshire in the Ramsdens Cup, it wasn't the greatest goal you'll ever see but in his celebration you could see just how much it meant to him, it was this that most endeared the former Alloa man to us- the ordinary fans. Whenever he took to the pitch he looked genuinely proud to be wearing the Elephant on his chest and that showed in his never-say-die attitude on the pitch. He scored 16 goals in the promotion winning season of 2011/12, including one in the home leg of the playoff final against hometown team Airdrie which caused me to rip my leg open falling down three rows of seats celebrating! Of course one aspect of his game will be remembered above all other, his legendary overhead kicks. In each of his three seasons with the Sons 'Prunts' notched one. His first came after only 45 seconds in a 3-0 victory over Stenhousemuir at the Rock. He became a cult hero in my Standard Grade Computing class earning the nickname Robin Van Prunty and thanks to that goal against Stenny he was a regular topic of conversation in the class. In 2013 he fancied going one better with, undeniably, one of the best goals ever scored by a Dumbarton player. It was February 2013, Sons had lost 3-4 to Livingston the previous week at home and now faced them at Almondvale. 4 minutes in Paul McGinn (making only his second start for the club) swung in a cross to the edge of the box, what happened next will never be forgotten. Prunty took the ball on his chest, jumped backwards and unleashed a wonderful overhead bicycle kick from the edge of the box into the top corner of Andy McNeil's net (ironically McNeil will now be his team-mate at Airdrieonians) The goal went viral and even featured on Skys Soccer AM. Last season it took until the 75th minute of a game before he scored his trademark goal. It was a cold, miserable December night against former employers Alloa when he struck with a low effort from the edge of the box. The goal rescued a crucial point for the Sons. His final goal came in a pre-season draw with Premiership Partick Thistle in July 2014 The thing many people will remember most about Prunty's time with Dumbarton isn't actually his performances on the pitch, it would be his son Liam who became the most famous ballboy in the stadium. 'Mini Prunts' as he was nicknamed was an ever present at the Rock and was always involved in his Dads celebrations. Seeing both celebrating goals was a brilliant sight which would even have touched the heart of away fans. This morning it was revealed on the official website that Bryan had rejoined his former club Airdrieonians. The lack of game time recently meant that moving on would be best for both parties and that afternoon he (and 'Mini Prunts') were given a heroes send off as the home end applauded him down the tunnel for one final time. 'Prunts' leaves the Sons with a record of 75 starts, 36 substitute appearances and having hit 33 goals. He will go down in history as the man who scored 'That Goal' as well as a true Sons legend for his loyalty, ability, attitude and personality. All the best in the future Bryan, hopefully we'll see you back at the BBS soon!
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April 2020
CategoriesAuthorI'm Fraser, 22, Sons fan who is now living the dream of reporting on Dumbarton for the Lennox Herald. |