West: Beith will see best of Brittain, says former Dumbarton favourite Craig

Jan 23 2009 By Kevin Mcgoldrick

CRAIG BRITTAIN ran the left-back beat at Dumbarton for longer than he can remember.

Now he is ready to stroll to success with Beith.

The Sons hero fell just a few games short of claiming the the honour of most league appearances in Dumbarton's history.

But after making the switch to Bellsdale Park the 35-year-old is determined to add more credits to his career.

Brittain said: "I started the season at Dumbarton as the regular full-back but then found myself out of the team.

"I knew I only needed four more to break the club's appearance record but I fell just short.

"It was agreed with the manager Jim Chapman that I should go out on loan to get match fitness and the opportunity came for me to go to Beith.

"During my spell here Gary Wilson, who became the first-choice left-back at Sons, got sent off so I thought I'd be returning to the club. But the call never came so I started to realise my Dumbarton career was coming to an end.

"I spent more than 11 years there and have fond memories but as they say all good things come to an end although I'm delighted to have signed for a club like Beith.

"I have to admit I didn't know a lot about the club and couldn't have even told you where they play.

"But once I was introduced to the dressing room I knew straight away this is where I want to be.

"I believed I would only have been here a few months in order to get my fitness but the Dumbarton manager had his own ideas and I'm delighted with the way things have eventually turned out.

"Despite us being up at the top of the Super League I firmly believe I would have signed on at Beith no matter where they were in the table.

"The manager, Johnny Millar, and his backroom staff have been excellent and there is a feelgood factor within the dressing room. Hopefully time will tell if I have made the right decision.

"It would have been disrespectful to Beith if I hadn't come here thinking I could win honours and after a few months of sampling this league there is no reason why we can't.

"We face a tricky test away to Dunipace in the Scottish Cup and I'm experienced to know we shouldn't take the lower league teams lightly.

"They have guys such as Danny Smith who was a team-mate at Dumbarton so by all accounts they have enough quality to cause an upset if our attitudes aren't right.

"Despite being a guy in his mid-30s I feel I've got a spring back in my step again.

"Hopefully I can pick up silverware in my first season back in the juniors after having a spell with Ashfield before signing with the Sons."