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2024–25 Dumbarton F.C. season

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Dumbarton
2024–25 season
ChairmanDr Neil MacKay
ManagerStevie Farrell
StadiumDumbarton Football Stadium
League One9th
League CupGroup stage
Challenge CupThird round
Top goalscorerLeague:
Mark Durnan
Michael Ruth
(3 each)

All:
James Hilton
Michael Ruth
(4 each)
2025–26 →

The 2024–25 season is Dumbarton Football Club's first back in Scottish League One, the third tier of Scottish football, having won the Scottish League Two promotion play-offs the previous season.[1] Dumbarton are also competing in the Scottish Cup, the Scottish League Cup, and the Challenge Cup.

Story of the season

[edit]

May

[edit]

Following promotion to Scottish League One the club's first friendly was announced on May 21, with Sons facing Hebburn Town on July 6.[2] On June 23 forward Marc Kelly, midfielder Luca Vata and goalkeeper Harry Broun were released. With new deals offered to Finlay Gray, Michael Ruth, Aron Lynas and Kalvin Orsi.[3] On May 29, forward Michael Ruth who had scored 15 times the previous season, signed a new season long deal with the club.[4] However midfielders Blair Malcolm and Callum Wilson both departed the club.[5] The same day the Sons were drawn to face East Kilbride, Airdrieonians, Aberdeen and Queen of the South in the Scottish League Cup.[6] On May 31 defender Matthew Shiels became the club's first signing of the summer, returning to the club for a third spell from Cove Rangers.[7][8]

June

[edit]

Sons made a double signing on June 1 with Cameron Clark joining from Stirling Albion and Michael Miller from Broomhill.[9] Midfielder Finlay Gray[10] and winger Kalvin Orsi also agreed new season-long deals.[11] On June 7, winger Craig McGuffie became the club's fourth new addition - joining from Queen of the South.[12] The same day, winger Ross MacLean left the club - joining Forfar Athletic for an undisclosed fee[13] - but goalkeeper Patrick O'Neil signed a new season long deal.[14] On June 8 defender Aron Lynas extended his stay - signing a season long deal to take him into a third campaign with the club.[15] A third friendly of pre-season was arranged for July 2, with Sons travelling to Ayrshire to face Glenafton Athletic.[16] Mouhamed Niang was the club's next new addition, joining on a year long deal from Cove Rangers on June 19.[17][18] On June 26 defender Sean Crighton left the club to become the new head coach of Queen's Park's B team.[19] Sons' first pre-season friendly ended in a 3–2 defeat to 2023–24 League One champions Falkirk - with Jinky Hilton scoring both goals.[20]

July

[edit]

Sons' second friendly match finished in a 4–0 victory against Glenafton Athletic. Carlo Pignatiello scored a brace with Jinky Hilton and a trialist striker also on target, with all the goals coming before half-time.[21] The pre-season campaign was rounded off with another big away win, this time 6–1 against Hebburn Town in Newcastle. Again Pignatiello and the trialist striker got on the scoresheet, with David Wilson, Finlay Gray and Michael Ruth's brace completing the scoring.[22] On July 9 the Dumbarton Football Stadium was renamed The Marbill Coaches Stadium in a new sponsorship deal.[23] The first competitive game of the season finished in a 1–1 draw with East Kilbride. Kalvin Orsi getting Sons' goal, with Kilby claiming the bonus point after a 4-2 penalty shootout win. The second game in the group finished in a 2–0 defeat to Queen of the South at Palmerston Park.[24] A second defeat followed, 4–3 against Airdrieonians, in a game where Sons were 3–1 up after an hour. Finlay Gray opened the scoring, with Jinky Hilton netting a double.[25] On July 25 Swedish striker Joel Mumbongo became the Sons' sixth new signing of the summer, joining on a season long deal having left Hamilton Academical.[26] He made his debut on July 27 as the Sons' League Cup campaign ended with a 6–0 defeat to Aberdeen - with the Dons scoring all six goals in the second-half.

August

[edit]

The first league game of the new season ended in a 1–1 draw with newly relegated Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Highlands, with Carlo Pignatiello on target and Mouhamed Niang sent-off for two bookings.[27] For the second season in a row Sons started with two draws, with the first home game of the campaign ending 3–3 with Alloa Athletic. Michael Ruth netted a double, with Jinky Hilton also on target. Whilst ex-Sons Kevin Cawley and Scott Taggart both scored for the Wasps.[28] A first win of the competitive season arrived in the Scottish Challenge Cup, 4–0 against Berwick Rangers with Craig McGuffie scoring a brace. Youth graduates Panos Grivas and Jacob Shields both made their senior debuts in the match. A third straight draw in the league followed on August 17, with Mark Durnan scoring his first goal for the club in injury time to draw with Cove Rangers.[29] A fourth draw came the next week, as Sons struck twice in the final 17 minutes - and missed a penalty - in a 2–2 tie with Arbroath. Michael Ruth and Matthew Shiels got the goals. The month ended with another comeback 2–2 draw, with Mark Durnan netting twice in a tie with Kelty Hearts.

September

[edit]

September began with a 1–0 defeat to Peterhead in the Scottish Challenge Cup. On September 11 defender Ethan Brown joined on loan from Kilmarnock initially on a deal until January.[30] A sixth straight draw in the league followed on September 14, with Paul McGowan levelling in stoppage time for Annan Athletic. During the game 16-year-old goalkeeper Luke Smallwood made his debut for the club with Brett Long sent-off after 18 minutes.[31] An appeal against the red card with successful[32] with Long able to play the next game as Sons suffered their first defeat of the campaign, 1–0 to Montrose, in a match they dominated - with the away side's goal their only shot, on or off target, of the match.[33] The month ended with a 2–0 defeat to Queen of the South at Palmerston Park - with skipper Mark Durnan sent off.[34]

October

[edit]

A third straight defeat followed against Stenhousemuir on October 5, leaving the Sons winless after the third quarter. Carlo Pignatiello got the Sons' goal, with Cameron Clark becoming the fourth Dumbarton player sent-off during the season.[35] The Sons finally secured their first win of the campaign on October 19, defeating Arbroath 3-1 at Gayfield Park. Thomas O'Brien put the hosts in front, but that was cancelled out by strikes from Carlo Pignatiello, Ethan Brown and Finlay Gray.[36] Three days later the Sons moved off the foot of the table after Inverness Caledonian Thistle were deducted 15 points after entering administration, leaving them 12 points adrift of Dumbarton in League One.[37] Sons extended that gap to 15 points with victory at home to The Caley Jags on October 26, thanks to a double from Jinky Hilton and first of the season for Ryan Blair.[38]

November

[edit]

The first game of November ended in a 3-0 defeat to Cove Rangers at the Dumbarton Football Stadium. Sons dominated the first-half, but couldn't find the net, with the away side taking the lead early in the second period through a Mark Durnan own goal - which was added to by strikes from Mitch Megginson and Adam Emslie.[39]

First team transfers

[edit]
  • From end of 2024–25 season, to last match of season 2024–25

In

[edit]
Player From League Fee
Matthew Shiels Cove Rangers Scottish League One Free
Cameron Clark Stirling Albion Scottish League One Free
Michael Miller Broomhill Lowland Football League Free
Craig McGuffie Queen of the South Scottish League One Free
Mouhamed Niang Cove Rangers Scottish League One Free
Joel Mumbongo Hamilton Academical Scottish Championship Free
Ethan Brown Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership Loan

Out

[edit]
Player To League Fee
Marc Kelly St Cadoc's West of Scotland Football League Free
Harry Broun Stranraer Scottish League Two Free
Luca Vata Civil Service Strollers Lowland Football League Free
Blair Malcolm Forfar Athletic Scottish League Two Free
Callum Wilson Cumbernauld Colts Lowland Football League Free
Ross MacLean Forfar Athletic Scottish League Two Undisclosed
Sean Crighton Retired N/A N/A

Fixtures and results

[edit]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Upcoming fixture

Friendlies

[edit]
29 June 2024 Dumbarton 2–3 Falkirk Dumbarton Football Stadium
14:00 Jinky Hilton 5' 9' Report Calvin Miller 36', Aidan Nesbitt 66', Jordan Allan 70' Attendance: 532
2 July 2024 Glenafton Athletic 0–4 Dumbarton Loch Park
19:45 Trialist 22', Carlo Pignatiello 29' 36', Jinky Hilton 38' Attendance: 200
6 July 2024 Hebburn Town 1–6 Dumbarton Hebburn Sports & Social Ground
15:00 Amar Purewal 42' Carlo Pignatiello 25', Trialist 31', David Wilson 61', Michael Ruth 65' 84', Finlay Gray 86'

Scottish League One

[edit]
3 August 2024 1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1–1 Dumbarton Caledonian Stadium
15:00 Danny Devine 44' Report Carlo Pignatiello 59' Mouhamed Niang Yellow card 55' Yellow-red card 80' Attendance: 1,439
Referee: Dan McFarlane
10 August 2024 2 Dumbarton 3–3 Alloa Athletic Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00 Michael Ruth 5' 76', Jinky Hilton 65' Report Luke Donnelly 10', Kevin Cawley 27', Scott Taggart 84' Attendance: 505
Referee: Ross Hardie
17 August 2024 3 Cove Rangers 1–1 Dumbarton Balmoral Stadium
15:00 Adam Emslie 64' Report Mark Durnan 90+1' Referee: Colin Whyte
24 August 2024 4 Dumbarton 2–2 Arbroath Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00 Michael Ruth 74', Matthew Shiels 79' Report Scott Stewart 5', Ryan Dow 50' Attendance: 688
Referee: Greg Soutar
Man of the Match: Matthew Shiels
31 August 2024 5 Dumbarton 2–2 Kelty Hearts Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00 Mark Durnan 43' 89' Report Luke McCarvel 10', Craig Johnston 59' Attendance: 471
Referee: Dan McFarlane
Man of the Match: Mark Durnan
14 September 2024 6 Annan Athletic 1–1 Dumbarton Galabank Stadium
15:00 Jinky Hilton 9', Brett Long Red card 18' Report Paul McGowan 90+2' Attendance: 375
Referee: Sean Murdoch
21 September 2024 7 Dumbarton 0–1 Montrose Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00 Report Kane Hester 6' Attendance: 626
Referee: Graham Grainger
28 September 2024 8 Queen of the South 2–0 Dumbarton Palmerston Park
15:00 Lewis O'Donnell 14', Mikey Hewitt 50' Report Mark Durnan Red card 70' Referee: Gary Hanvidge
5 October 2024 9 Dumbarton 1–3 Stenhousemuir Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00 Carlo Pignatiello 42' Cammy Clark Yellow card 70' Yellow-red card Report Blair Alston 11' (pen.), Matthew Aitken 35' 80' Attendance: 620
Referee: Steven Maclean
19 October 2024 10 Arbroath 1–3 Dumbarton Gayfield Park
15:00 Thomas O'Brien 11' Report Carlo Pignatiello 19', Ethan Brown 47', Finlay Gray 90' Attendance: 1,159
Referee: Greg Soutar
26 October 2024 11 Dumbarton 3–1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00 Jinky Hilton 14' 72', Ryan Blair 63' Report Jake Davidson 28' Attendance: 872
Referee: Graham Grainger
Man of the Match: Jinky Hilton
2 November 2024 12 Dumbarton 0–3 Cove Rangers Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00 Report OG 50', Mitch Megginson 55', Adam Emslie 89' Attendance: 568
Referee: George Calder
9 November 2024 13 Kelty Hearts v Dumbarton New Central Park
15:00

Scottish Cup

[edit]
v

Scottish League Cup

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification ABE AIR QOS EKB DUM
1 Aberdeen 4 4 0 0 0 15 1 +14 12 Qualification for the second round 2–1 6–0
2 Airdrieonians 4 3 0 0 1 15 5 +10 9 2–0 8–0
3 Queen of the South 4 2 0 0 2 5 6 −1 6 0–3 2–0
4 East Kilbride 4 0 1 0 3 2 16 −14 2 0–4 1–3
5 Dumbarton 4 0 0 1 3 4 13 −9 1 3–4 1–1p
Source: [40]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[41]

Matches

[edit]
13 July 2024 Group stage Dumbarton 1–1
(2–4 p)
East Kilbride Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00 Kalvin Orsi 16' Report OG 7' Attendance: 370
Referee: Joel Kennedy
16 July 2024 Group stage Queen of the South 2–0 Dumbarton Palmerston Park
19:45 Leighton McIntosh 7', Kieran McKechnie 57' Report Referee: Stuart Luke
20 July 2024 Group stage Dumbarton 3–4 Airdrieonians Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00 Finlay Gray 27', Jinky Hilton 47' 51' (pen.) Report Lewis McGrattan 33', Rhys Armstrong 67', Terrell Agyemang 85', Ben Wilson 88' Attendance: 659
Referee: Lloyd Wilson
27 July 2024 Group stage Aberdeen 6–0 Dumbarton Pittodrie Stadium
15:00 Jack MacKenzie 46'
Ester Sokler 48', 61'
Peter Ambrose 84'
James McGarry 86'
Slobodan Rubežić 90+2'
Report Attendance: 8,450
Referee: Craig Napier

Scottish Challenge Cup

[edit]
13 August 2024 Second round Dumbarton 4–0 Berwick Rangers Dumbarton Football Stadium
20:00 Craig McGuffie 7' 31', Michael Ruth 23', David Wilson 37' Report Attendance: 240
Referee: Gary Hanvidge
7 September 2024 Third round Peterhead 1–0 Dumbarton Balmoor Stadium
15:00 Max Barry 66' Report Attendance: 586
Referee: Stewart Luke

Player statistics

[edit]
As of 19:41, 2 November 2024 (UTC)

All competitions

[edit]
# Position Player Starts Subs Unused subs Goals Red cards Red card Yellow cards Yellow card
6 MF Scotland Ryan Blair 8 3 7 1 0 2
4 DF Canada Ethan Brown 6 0 1 1 0 1
24 DF Scotland Cammy Clark 9 4 3 0 1 4
5 DF Scotland Mark Durnan 14 0 0 3 1 5
17 MF Scotland James Hilton 13 3 2 6 0 3
10 MF Scotland Finlay Gray 13 5 0 2 0 3
16 FW Greece Panagiotis Grivas 0 1 9 0 0 0
1 GK Northern Ireland Brett Long 15 0 3 0 1 0
2 DF Scotland Aron Lynas 6 2 10 0 0 0
21 MF Scotland Craig McGuffie 12 4 2 2 0 0
31 MF Scotland Michael Miller 16 0 2 0 0 2
18 FW Sweden Joel Mumbongo 1 12 0 0 0 1
20 MF Senegal Mouhamed Niang 15 1 1 0 1 3
19 GK Scotland Paddy O'Neil 3 1 13 0 0 0
7 MF Scotland Kalvin Orsi 9 7 2 1 0 1
12 DF Scotland Carlo Pignatiello 15 2 0 3 0 1
23 FW Scotland Michael Ruth 15 2 0 4 0 1
14 FW Scotland Jacob Shields 0 2 6 0 0 0
13 GK Scotland Luke Smallwood 0 1 0 0 0 0
22 DF Scotland Matthew Shiels 15 1 1 1 0 0
11 MF Scotland Tony Wallace 6 8 2 0 0 5
8 MF Scotland David Wilson 7 4 5 1 0 1
3 DF Scotland Greig Young 2 2 14 0 0 1

Captains

[edit]
No. P Name Country No. games Notes
5 DF Mark Durnan Scotland 14 Club captain
11 MF Tony Wallace Scotland 2 Vice-captain
31 DF Michael Miller Scotland 1 Game versus East Kilbride on July 13 when Mark Durnan was suspended and Tony Wallace was a substitute.
2 DF Aron Lynas Scotland 1 Game versus Stenhousemuir on October 5 when Mark Durnan was suspended and Tony Wallace was injured.

Last updated: As of match played 23:53, 2 November 2024(UTC)
Source: Competitive match reports.
Competitive matches only
Matches started as captain only
Country: FIFA nationality; No.: Squad number; P: Position; Name: Player name; No. Games: Number of games started as captain.

League table

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
6 Kelty Hearts 12 4 4 4 19 13 +6 16
7 Montrose 12 4 4 4 11 9 +2 16
8 Annan Athletic 12 4 1 7 8 21 −13 13
9 Dumbarton 12 2 6 4 17 21 −4 12 Qualification for the League One play-offs
10 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 12 2 7 3 9 11 −2 −2[a] Relegation to League Two
Updated to match(es) played on 2 November 2024. Source: [43]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-to head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only for deciding promotion, play-off participation and relegation).[44]
Notes:
  1. ^ Inverness Caledonian Thistle were deducted 15 points for entering administration.[42]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Clarke, Fraser (2024-05-20). "Spartans 2-2 Dumbarton - Sons win promotion on Friday night to remember". Daily Record. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  2. ^ Crawford, Jack (2024-05-21). "FIRST PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY REVEALED". Dumbarton Football Club. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
  3. ^ Crawford, Jack (2024-05-24). "SQUAD UPDATE". Dumbarton Football Club. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  4. ^ Crawford, Jack (2024-05-29). "RUTHY SIGNS NEW DEAL". Dumbarton Football Club. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  5. ^ Crawford, Jack (2024-05-30). "FURTHER SQUAD MOVEMENTS". Dumbarton Football Club. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  6. ^ "Dumbarton learn League Cup group stage opponents". Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter. 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  7. ^ Crawford, Jack (2024-05-31). "MATTY SHIELS IS BACK AT THE ROCK". Dumbarton Football Club. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  8. ^ Clarke, Fraser (2024-06-07). "Returning Son Matty Shiels admits he wished he hadn't left Sons for Cove Rangers". Daily Record. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  9. ^ Crawford, Jack (2024-06-01). "NEW FACES AT THE ROCK". Dumbarton Football Club. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  10. ^ Clarke, Fraser (2024-06-13). "Boyhood Son Finlay Gray says he trusted his gut to sign new Dumbarton deal". Daily Record. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
  11. ^ Crawford, Jack (2024-06-01). "DUO SIGN NEW CONTRACTS". Dumbarton Football Club. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  12. ^ Crawford, Jack (2024-06-07). "MCGUFFIE CHECKS IN". Dumbarton Football Club. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  13. ^ Coutts, Christopher. "Ross MacLean heads to Station Park". www.forfarathletic.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  14. ^ Crawford, Jack (2024-06-07). "PADDY SIGNS ON AGAIN". Dumbarton Football Club. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  15. ^ Crawford, Jack (2024-06-08). "NEW DEAL FOR AZZA". Dumbarton Football Club. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  16. ^ "GLENS FRIENDLY ADDED TO PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
  17. ^ Gordon, Richard (2024-06-19). "Sena And Tyler Moving On". Cove Rangers FC. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
  18. ^ "SENA SIGNS!". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
  19. ^ "CRIGHTON DEPARTS". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  20. ^ Kearney, Ben (29 June 2024). "John McGlynn assesses Falkirk's 'difficult' pre-season friendly win at Dumbarton". The Falkirk Herald. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  21. ^ "COMFORTABLE WIN IN AYRSHIRE". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  22. ^ "SONS WIN MACRON CUP". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  23. ^ "MARBILL COACHES ARE NEW STADIUM SPONSOR". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  24. ^ "QoS : Report - Dumbarton 16.7.24". www.qosfc.com. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  25. ^ "Dumbarton 3-4 Airdrieonians". airdrie. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  26. ^ "JOEL MUMBONGO SIGNS FOR THE SONS". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
  27. ^ Chalk, Paul (2024-08-03). "Duncan Ferguson rues lack of killer touch as Caley Thistle draw with Dumbarton". Press and Journal. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  28. ^ "Dumbarton 3-3 Alloa: Chaotic six-goal thriller at the Rock". Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser. 2024-08-10. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  29. ^ Jamieson, Andrew (2024-08-17). "Late Header Denies First Victory". Cove Rangers FC. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  30. ^ "YOUNG KILLIE DEFENDER JOINS ON LOAN". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  31. ^ "LATE GOAL DENIES TEN-MAN SONS FIRST LEAGUE VICTORY". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  32. ^ "SONS SUCCESSFUL IN RED CARD APPEAL". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  33. ^ "DUMBARTON 0-1 MONTROSE | Montrose Football Club". montrosefc.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  34. ^ "QoS : Report - Dumbarton 28.9.24". www.qosfc.com. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  35. ^ "WARRIORS WIN AT THE ROCK". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  36. ^ Clarke, Fraser (2024-10-21). "Arbroath 1-3 Dumbarton - Sons up and running with commanding away victory". Daily Record. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  37. ^ Galindo, Alan (2024-10-22). "Inverness enter administration as crisis hit club hit with 15 point deduction". Daily Record. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  38. ^ "How did Caley Thistle do in first game since going into administration?". Inverness Courier. 2024-10-26. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  39. ^ Gordon, Richard (2024-11-02). "Demus Heroics Set Up Victory At The Rock". Cove Rangers FC. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  40. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group A". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  41. ^ "Format". SPFL. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  42. ^ "SPFL statement Inverness CT". spfl.co.uk. Scottish Professional Football League. 22 October 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  43. ^ "League One Table". Scottish Professional Football League. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  44. ^ "The Rules of the Scottish Professional Football League" (PDF). SPFL. pp. 38–39. Retrieved 20 October 2019.