| Club: | Dumbarton |
| Season: | 1985–1986 |
| Manager: | Davie Wilson/ Alex Wright (caretaker) |
| Stadium: | Boghead Park, Dumbarton |
| League: | Scottish League Division 1 |
| League Result: | 6th |
| Cup1: | Scottish Cup |
| Cup1 Result: | Third Round |
| Cup2: | Scottish League Cup |
| Cup2 Result: | Second Round |
| League Topscorer: | Gerry McCoy (13) |
| Season Topscorer: | Gerry McCoy (14) |
| Highest Attendance: | 1,960 |
| Lowest Attendance: | 400 |
| Average Attendance: | 1,170 |
| Prevseason: | 1984–85 |
| Nextseason: | 1986–87 |
Season 1985–86 was the 102nd football season in which Dumbarton competed at a Scottish national level, entering the Scottish Football League for the 80th time, the Scottish Cup for the 91st time and the Scottish League Cup for the 39th time.
Dumbarton returned to the First Division as favourites for the title, and in mid October the team was sitting atop the league. However results took an inexplicable nosedive with 2 wins in 11 games, accounting for Davie Wilson's resignation at the beginning of February. Alex Wright took over as caretaker manager until the end of the season, and an initial run of only 2 defeats in 11 matches placed the club well clear in 2nd place with only 6 games remaining. However, 4 nervy defeats in those closing fixtures dropped Dumbarton to 6th place, 13 points behind champions Hamilton but only 2 points shy of 2nd placed Falkirk, and one of four clubs just missing out on a promotion spot.
In the Scottish Cup, Dumbarton lost embarrassingly to Second Division Queen's Park in the third round.
The League Cup was no better with another disappointing exit in the second round to Second Division Stirling Albion.
Locally, however, in the Stirlingshire Cup, there was something to smile about with the trophy returning to Boghead after a final win over Clydebank.
Finally, despite losing Premier Division status, Dumbarton were invited to participate in the annual televised indoor Tennent's Sixes tournament, as both Rangers and Celtic had declined to enter. After winning three of four qualifying matches, 1-0 vs St Mirren, 0-0 (4-3 on penalties) vs Dundee and 4-0 vs Manchester City and a 0-3 defeat to Hearts, Dumbarton suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in the semi-final to the eventual tournament winners Aberdeen.
See main article: 1985-86 Scottish First Division.
See main article: 1985-86 Scottish League Cup.
See main article: 1985–86 Scottish Cup.
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| Player | From | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Schaedler | Hibernian | 6 Jul 1985 | |
| Jackie Rafferty | Shamrock BC | 12 Jul 1985 | |
| Gerry McCoy | Falkirk | 13 Jul 1985 | |
| Hugh Stevenson | Clackmannan | 20 Jul 1985 | |
| Ken Thomson | Campsie Black Watch | 20 Jul 1985 | |
| Mark Williams | East Fife | 5 Oct 1985 | |
| Paul Taylor | Mansfield Town | 24 Oct 1985 | |
| Danny Docherty | Morton | 26 Oct 1985 | |
| Mark Shanks | Ayr United | 9 Nov 1985 |
| Player | To | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| David McCaig | East Fife | 23 Jul 1985 | |
| Stuart Robertson | Falkirk | 7 Aug 1985 | |
| Kenny Ashwood | Ayr United | 7 Sep 1985 | |
| Joe Coyle | Morton | 26 Oct 1985 | |
| Jim Simpson | Morton | 26 Oct 1985 | |
| Mark Williams | Bognor Regis Town |
Dumbarton competed in the Scottish Reserve League (West), winning 10 and drawing 5 of 18 matches finishing runners up to Airdrie.
In the Reserve League Cup Dumbarton lost in the second round to Celtic.