GORDON LENNONwas a promising Scottish footballer died aged 26 in a car crash on 7 June, 2009.The solid defender, born in Larne in Northern Ireland, was captain at Dumbarton and had just lifted a league trophy to the delight of supporters.Lennon began his professional career at Albion Rovers where he was awarded the ‘Player of the Year’ award in his first full season, 2006/07.He had spells with Partick Thistle and Stenhousemuir before signing with Dumbarton in January 2008.In 2009 he captained the side to the Third Division Championship thanks to a dramatic eight-game unbeaten run that saw them pip Cowdenbeath to automatic promotion.“I am still in dreamland. I cannot believe it. We have achieved something that seemed so impossible only eight games ago,” he said after completing the feat.Fans lined the streets to welcome the team back after they completed the season with a victory away at Annan.Lennon said: “Nothing I have achieved in football even comes close to coming down Castle Road on that open-top bus on Saturday night.“We turned the corner, saw the supporters, and thought there was no way those were people coming to cheer us down the road.“Then the closer we got to the stadium, the more I just thought ‘Oh my God’. The number of people who came to share our achievement was just fantastic.”At the time of his death Lennon was in contract negotiations to extend his stay at the Strathclyde Homes Stadium and had expressed a wish to remain with the club.A statement from the club said: “Everybody connected with Dumbarton FC are shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden death of club captain Gordon Lennon resulting from a tragic accident whilst on a weekend break with his family.“All our thoughts are with his whole family and in particular his partner Kelly and five-month-old baby Kai. Gordon was an inspiration both on and off the park and his influence will be felt by many, both within and out with Dumbarton Football Club for a very long time to come.“He was not just a quality footballer, he was a great man with so many qualities and was rarely seen without his trademark smile.“He always had time to speak with supporters, of any club, and everyone associated with Dumbarton Football Club are proud that he considered his greatest footballing achievement was lifting the Scottish Football League 3rd Division Championship Trophy as the captain of Dumbarton last month.”
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