Gruelling fitness regime has returning Son John Gemmell in best shape of career

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