We supported Canadian businessman Mario Lapointe in acquiring Dumbarton Football Club out of administration, ensuring the club’s survival and continued participation in the Scottish football league.
Our client, Mario Lapointe, is a Canadian entrepreneur with a passion for football and a long-standing ambition to own a European club. In late 2024, Dumbarton Football Club Limited – one of Scotland’s oldest football clubs – entered administration. The club’s future was at risk and the administrators were urgently seeking a buyer to keep the team playing and preserve its legacy.
This was a critical moment for both the club and the local community. Without a buyer, Dumbarton FC risked being unable to complete the season, potentially leading to relegation or dissolution.
Mr Lapointe chose MFMac for our reputation in complex, cross-sector transactions and our ability to act swiftly under pressure. He needed a legal team that could navigate the intricacies of insolvency, corporate acquisition and football governance – all within a tight timeframe.
Our Approach
We assembled a multi-disciplinary team across:
- Corporate
- Insolvency & Restructuring
- Real Estate
- Employment
Working closely with the administrators, the Scottish Football Association (SFA), the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) and other stakeholders, we ensured the transaction progressed smoothly and quickly. Our team provided round-the-clock support, anticipating and resolving issues before they could impact the deal.
In early July 2025, Mr Lapointe successfully acquired the business and assets of Dumbarton FC. The club was able to field a team for the new season, safeguarding its future and preserving its place in Scottish football.
This transaction was more than a business deal – it was a rescue mission for a historic community institution, requiring cross-sector collaboration, rapid mobilisation and a deep understanding of football governance and insolvency law.
It also contributed to the preservation of Scottish football heritage, supporting fans, players and the local economy.
Our team worked tirelessly to meet tight deadlines, often outside standard hours, to ensure the deal completed in time for the new season. We left no stone unturned – providing strategic advice, commercial insight and unwavering support throughout.
Mr Lapointe himself remarked that:
“Alan and the wider MFMac team went above and beyond in assisting with my purchase of DFC. Their round-the-clock, commercial approach was instrumental in helping me achieve my lifelong goal of owning a football club.”
– Mario Lapointe
