Dumbarton FC - A Brief History

by Jim McAllister

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Season 1971-2 proved to be THE season, with promotion secured by defeating Berwick Rangers in the final fixture of the season. After a poor start, it took as run of 10 wins from the last 11 league fixtures to secure the championship. Kenny Wilson scored an amazing 42 goals, a club record, to add to the 38 he had scored the previous season.

The first season back in the top flight was always going to be tough, but it was made even tougher when, midway through, Jackie Stewart resigned to become manager of St Johnstone. The reigns were taken up by Alex Wright who had been his assistant since the start of the season. Relegation was only avoided on the last day of the season, but this was the platform Wright needed to take the club to greater heights. In the years to come, Dumbarton were able to develop their own players, players who would go on to greater things. Murdo MacLeod and Graeme Sharp gained full international honours , Ian Wallace was transferred for £1m and the McAdam brothers played for The Old Firm, on different sides.

Only with the development of the three league set up did Dumbarton have to succumb to dropping down a division again, having finished just outside the top 10 required to play in the inaugural Premier League. In the first season of the new set up Dumbarton reached the semi final of the Scottish Cup, losing 3-0 to Hearts in a replay. The next few years were disappointing before in 1983/4 the club were promoted to the Premier League, a venture which would last for one season only.

From then on, the 1980's were a matter of survival as, through a set of unfortunate circumstances, the club changed hands on three occasions. The instability led to two relegations, taking Dumbarton back to the lowest division, a position they were forced to endure for four seasons before promotion was won again, under the leadership of Billy Lamont . Again league re-construction conspired against Dumbarton and they were demoted, only to win promotion in 1994/5 at the first attempt.

Unfortunately, promotion was followed by two successive relegations which saw Dumbarton take their place in the 3rd Division in 1997/8. However, in season 2001/2002, Sons escaped the bowels of Scottish football, securing promotion to the 2nd division on the very last day of the campaign.

And the club is now boosted by the building of the Strathclyde Homes Stadium, a purpose built all seater ground which replaced the run down Boghead park in 2000. Changes in regulations during the 1980's and 1990's had made the move inevitable and with the reality comes the hope of a new dawn.