| Club: | Dumbarton |
| Season: | 2023–24 |
| Manager: | Stevie Farrell |
| Chairman: | Dr Neil Mackay |
| Stadium: | Dumbarton Football Stadium |
| League: | League Two |
| League Result: | 4th (Promoted via playoffs) |
| Cup1: | League Cup |
| Cup1 Result: | Group stage |
| Cup2: | Scottish Cup |
| Cup2 Result: | Fourth round (lost to Rangers) |
| League Topscorer: | Tony Wallace (11) |
| Season Topscorer: | Tony Wallace (16) |
| Highest Attendance: | 2,020 (vs Rangers, 20 January 2024) |
| Lowest Attendance: | 385 (vs Banks o'Dee, 28 October 2023) |
| Average Attendance: | 662 |
| Pattern La1: | _dumbarton2324h |
| Pattern B1: | _dumbarton2324h |
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| Body1: | FFFFFF |
| Rightarm1: | FFFFFF |
| Shorts1: | FFFFFF |
| Socks1: | FFFFFF |
| Pattern La2: | _dumbarton2324a |
| Pattern B2: | _dumbarton2324a |
| Pattern Ra2: | _dumbarton2324a |
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| Prevseason: | 2022–23 |
| Nextseason: | 2024–25 |
The 2023–24 season was Dumbarton Football Club's second in Scottish League Two, the fourth tier of Scottish football, having finished second in the division in 2023–24 and lost in the playoffs. The club won promotion back to Scottish League One at the second time of asking via the playoffs.
Dumbarton also competed in the Scottish League Cup, Scottish Cup and Scottish Challenge Cup.
Following the playoff final loss to Annan Athletic the Sons released Joe McKee, Martin McNiff, John Gemmell, Ally Love, Stuart Carswell, Russell McLean and Edin Lynch on May 16.[1] Gregor Buchanan, Kalvin Orsi, Harry Broun and Luca Vata were all offered new deals. The same day the club announced the appointment of Kenny Morrison as their new chief scout.[2] Defender Gregor Buchanan turned down a new deal and left the club on May 26 after more than 160 appearances across two spells with the Sons.[3] Blair Malcolm became the club's first new signing of the summer on May 27, joining from Albion Rovers.[4] A busy day on May 29 then saw the club make four signings; midfielders Callum Wilson,[5] Tony Wallace[6] and Carlo Pignatiello[7] all returned for second spells at the club. And were joined by Mark Durnan who signed from Alloa Athletic.[8] [9] The club's first friendlies were announced on May 31, with Hebburn Town visiting The Rock on July 1 and a trip to face Workington AFC on July 8.[10]
On June 7 three new signings were announced. Defenders Sean Crighton[11] and Greig Young[12] joined from Stenhousemuir and Raith Rovers respectively, along with midfielder James Hilton from Stranraer.[13] Winger Kalvin Orsi also agreed a new deal with the club, snubbing full-time offers from elsewhere.[14] A third friendly of pre-season was announced, with Premiership St Mirren visiting G82 on July 4.[15] In the Scottish League Cup the Sons were drawn in a section with Dundee, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Airdrieonians and Bonnyrigg Rose.[16] Striker Michael Ruth became the club's ninth new signing of the summer on June 15, signing a year long deal following his departure from Queen of the South.[17] The squad returned for pre-season training on June 17, with goalkeeper Harry Broun signing a new season long deal the same day.[18] On June 23 Mark Durnan was announced as the club's new captain, with Sean Crighton appointed vice-captain.[19]
Friendly action began in July, with Sons suffering a 3-2 defeat to Hebburn Town on July 1. Jinky Hilton and Ross MacLean were on the scoresheet.[20] Three days later the Sons lost 3-0 to Scottish Premiership St Mirren. The pre-season schedule concluded with a 4-0 victory against Workington on July 8 at Borough Park. Ross MacLean, Ryan Blair and Declan Byrne got the goals. With youth academy graduate Luca Vata scoring his first top team goal.[21] The club's Scottish League Cup campaign began with a 2-0 defeat to Airdrieonians with the Diamonds scoring twice in the final four minutes.[22] That was followed by a 2-1 victory against Championship Inverness Caledonian Thistle thanks to goals from Ryan Wallace and Tony Wallace.[23] A 0-0 draw and penalty shootout victory against Bonnyrigg Rose followed, before the campaign concluded with a 3-1 loss to Scottish Premiership Dundee.
Prior to the club's first game of the season defender Matthew Shiels became the club's 10th addition of the summer, joining from Hamilton Academical having previously spent time on loan at the Sons from Rangers in 2019–20.[24] The club's first league game of the season ended in a 1-1 draw with Bonnyrigg Rose on August 5, with Ryan Blair scoring Sons' goal. Another 1-1 draw followed, this time with newly promoted Spartans. Tony Wallace got Dumbarton's goal from the penalty spot.[25] A third 1-1 draw followed, with Sons defeating Kilmarnock B 9-8 on penalties in the Scottish Challenge Cup.[26] The Sons won their first league game on August 19, defeating Forfar Athletic 3-1. David Wilson, Finlay Gray and Ross MacLean got the goals.[27] A 4-2 victory against Stenhousemuir ended the month. Goals from Sean Crighton, Ross MacLean and James Hilton had the Sons 4-0 up at half-time before Matty Aitken's second-half brace.
A third straight win followed to start September, with Sean Crighton scoring an 87th minute winner against East Fife. A week later Michael Ruth scored his first goal for the club in a 3-1 Scottish Challenge Cup defeat to Kelty Hearts.[28] Winger Gregg Wylde left the club on September 12 after making 59 appearances, scoring six times.[29] A first league defeat of the season came against Elgin City on September 16, with a second coming a week later against Peterhead. In the Scottish Cup the Sons were given a home tie against Highland Football League side Banks O' Dee.[30] The month ended with a return to winning ways and a 3-1 success against Stranraer - Tony Wallace, Ryan Wallace and Michael Ruth got the goals.
The first game of October ended in a dominant 4-0 away victory against Clyde - Ryan Wallace, Tony Wallace, Michael Ruth and James Hilton got the goals. A 2-0 defeat away to The Spartans followed. In the second round of the Scottish Cup the Sons secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Highland Football League Banks O' Dee. After falling 2-0 behind Tony Wallace's penalty and two injury time Michael Ruth strikes secured victory.[31] The Sons were drawn away to Annan Athletic in the third round, with the tie scheduled for November 25.[32]
Both Ruth and Wallace were on target again a week later, with Matthew Shiels and Finlay Gray also scoring in a 4-0 home win against Bonnyrigg Rose. It was confirmed after the game that defender Greig Young would require surgery for a serious injury sustained against Peterhead in September.[33] A third straight victory followed with Kalvin Orsi's first goal in more than two years securing a 1-0 win away to East Fife.[34] Orsi won a penalty for the only goal of the game a week later, a 1-0 success at home to Elgin City. The month ended with a dramatic 5-4 extra time Scottish Cup victory over League One Annan Athletic. Michael Ruth, Ryan Wallace, Finlay Gray and Jinky Hilton got the goals. The Sons were drawn against Rangers in the fourth round.[35]
December opened with a 1-0 defeat to Stenhousemuir thanks to a deflected 87th minute James Berry strike, that left the Sons eight points off the top of the table.[36] Goalkeeper Brett Long was then ruled out for an extended period, after suffering a broken ankle in training.[37] The Sons returned to winning ways a week later, with James Hilton, Matthew Shiels, Finlay Gray and Tony Wallace all on target in a 4-2 away win at Forfar Athletic. The final home game of the year also saw the Sons score four - with an early Tony Wallace penalty making him the first Sons player since Stephen Dobbie in 2006 to score 10 goals prior to Christmas - an own goal and headers from Ryan Wallace and Aron Lynas only enough for a point against bottom of the table Clyde, who netted twice in injury time.[38]
On January 5, goalkeeper Patrick O'Neil returned to the club on a deal until the end of the season with Brett Long ruled out for the rest of the campaign.[39] The Sons fell to defeat in their first game of the new year, losing 2-1 to East Fife at The Rock. Two new signings arrived prior to the meeting with Peterhead on January 9. Goalkeeper Jay Hogarth on loan from Rangers[40] and defender Cian Newbury on loan from Hamilton Academical.[41] Both players made their debut the same day, as the Sons were defeated 3-1. Another new signing arrived on January 12, with striker Marc Kelly joining from East Kilbride. He made his debut the following day in a 1-1 draw with Bonnyrigg Rose, with Carlo Pignatiello getting Dumbarton's goal.[42] On January 15, winger Ross MacLean left the club on a leave of absence after a change in his working circumstances.[43] Three days later Gallagher Lennon, son of former Celtic captain Neil Lennon, joined the club on loan until the end of the season.[44] The Sons exited the Scottish Cup on January 20 with a 4-1 defeat to Rangers in front of a sell-out crowd of 2,020 at The Rock. Matthew Shiels got the goal in his final game for the club before joining Cove Rangers.[45] [46] He officially left the club on January 23, and was joined by forward Declan Byrne - who had started just three games all season.[47] On January 25 captain Mark Durnan and defender Greig Young, both of whom had spent large spells out of the team with injury, agreed new contracts until the summer of 2025.[48] [49] A day later goalkeeper Harry Broun who had made eight appearances joined Johnstone Burgh on loan.[50] A first win of the new year against Elgin City arrived on January 27 courtesy of a Tony Wallace goal.[51] The following week attacker Aaron Healy joined on loan from Queen's Park.[52]
A 1-0 defeat to league leaders Stenhousemuir opened February. That was followed by a 2-2 draw with Forfar Athletic where Sons twice led. Michael Ruth's ninth goal of the season opened the scoring, with Marc Kelly netting his first for the club.[53] A 0-0 draw with The Spartans at home followed on February 13,[54] before a 2-0 defeat to Clyde on February 17.[55] The defeat left the Sons on a run of one win in 10 games, and was only The Bully Wee's third victory of the league season. Later that week striker Ryan Wallace announced his immediate retirement from football, after 58 appearances and 10 goals for the club.[56] The following day top scorer Tony Wallace signed an extended deal until the summer of 2025.[57] He celebrated by scoring the winner in a 2-1 comeback success against Stranraer on February 24. Michael Ruth was also on target, netting his 10th of the season - and helping the club to a first win at home since November.[58]
On March 1 striker James Graham joined on loan from Rangers until the end of the season.[59] He made his debut the following day in a 1-0 victory against Peterhead with Michael Ruth getting the only goal.[60] Back-to-back defeats followed; 5-0 at Stranraer[61] and 3-2 at East Fife.[62] Sons returned to winning ways in style on March 16, moving up to third in the league with a 6-2 away win against The Spartans. Ryan Blair netted twice, both from free-kicks, with Aron Lynas, Michael Ruth also on target and Gallagher Lennon and James Graham netting their first senior goals. A second straight victory followed, 2-0, against Bonnyrigg Rose on March 23, with Tony Wallace and Blair Malcolm getting the goals.[63] The month ended with a 0-0 draw against Stenhousemuir at the Dumbarton Football Stadium.
The first game of April ended in a 2-0 victory against Forfar Athletic at Station Park. Tony Wallace's penalty was added to by a late Carlo Pignatiello strike. A fourth straight clean sheet followed, with Jinky Hilton getting the only goal of the game in a 1-0 success against Clyde. The month ended with back-to-back draws, 0-0 away at Stranraer and 2-2 at home to Elgin City - in a game where Sons came back from 2-0 down, thanks to goals from Michael Ruth and James Graham. Boss Stephen Farrell was named League Two Manager of the Month for April following the unbeaten run.[64]
The regular season ended with a 2-1 defeat to Peterhead on May 4. With David Wilson getting Dumbarton's goal. That resulted in a fourth place finish in League Two, and set up a playoff semi-final meeting with Stirling Albion. All the goals came in the first leg, with Jinky Hilton and Tony Wallace on target in a 2-1 home win[65] - followed by a 0-0 draw at Forthbank Stadium. Sons faced The Spartans in the final. Goals from Tony Wallace and Finlay Gray secured a 2-1 first leg win.[66] With the Sons promoted back to Scottish League One following a 2-2 draw at Ainslie Park on May 17 in front of a crowd of more than 2,200. Michael Ruth netted both goals, taking him to 15 for the season.[67]
| Player | From | League | Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blair Malcolm | Albion Rovers | Scottish League Two | Free | |
| Callum Wilson | Albion Rovers | Scottish League Two | Free | |
| Tony Wallace | Annan Athletic | Scottish League Two | Free | |
| Carlo Pignatiello | Greenock Morton | Scottish Championship | Free | |
| Mark Durnan | Alloa Athletic | Scottish League One | Free | |
| Greig Young | Raith Rovers | Scottish Championship | Free | |
| Sean Crighton | Stenhousemuir | Scottish League Two | Free | |
| James Hilton | Stranraer | Scottish League Two | Free | |
| Michael Ruth | Queen of the South | Scottish League One | Free | |
| Matthew Shiels | Hamilton Academical | Scottish Championship | Free | |
| Patrick O'Neil | Free Agent | Free | ||
| Jay Hogarth | Rangers | Scottish Premiership | Loan | |
| Cian Newbury | Hamilton Academical | Scottish League One | Loan | |
| Marc Kelly | East Kilbride | Lowland Football League | Free | |
| Gallagher Lennon | St Mirren | Scottish Premiership | Loan | |
| Aaron Healy | Queen's Park | Scottish Championship | Loan | |
| James Graham | Rangers | Scottish Premiership | Loan |
| Player | To | League | Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stuart Carswell | Clyde | Scottish League Two | Free | |
| Ally Love | Hurlford United | West of Scotland Football League | Free | |
| John Gemmell | Retired | N/A | N/A | |
| Martin McNiff | Drumchapel United | West of Scotland Football League | Free | |
| Joe McKee | Peterhead | Scottish League Two | Free | |
| Edin Lynch | Stenhousemuir | Scottish League Two | Free | |
| Russell McLean | Edinburgh City | Scottish League One | Free | |
| Gregor Buchanan | Stenhousemuir | Scottish League Two | Free | |
| Gregg Wylde | Camelon Juniors | East of Scotland Football League | Free | |
| Matthew Shiels | Cove Rangers | Scottish League One | Free | |
| Declan Byrne | Bonnyrigg Rose | Scottish League Two | Free | |
| Harry Broun | Johnstone Burgh | West of Scotland Football League | Loan | |
| Ryan Wallace | Retired | N/A | N/A |
See main article: 2023–24 Scottish League Two.
| Position | Player | Starts | Subs | Unused subs | Goals | Red cards | Yellow cards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | MF | Ryan Blair | 23 | 13 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
| 16 | GK | Harry Broun | 8 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | FW | Declan Byrne | 3 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | DF | Sean Crighton | 45 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 5 | DF | Mark Durnan | 29 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 9 | FW | James Graham | 0 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 18 | MF | Finlay Gray | 32 | 10 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 8 |
| 10 | MF | Aaron Healy | 3 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 17 | MF | James Hilton | 25 | 16 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 5 |
| 31 | GK | Jay Hogarth | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | FW | Marc Kelly | 4 | 7 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 28 | DF | Gallagher Lennon | 21 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 1 | GK | Brett Long | 18 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | DF | Aron Lynas | 27 | 6 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 7 |
| 11 | MF | Ross MacLean | 10 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| 4 | DF | Blair Malcolm | 26 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| 21 | DF | Cian Newbury | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 19 | GK | Paddy O'Neil | 1 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | Kalvin Orsi | 25 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 12 | DF | Carlo Pignatiello | 40 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| 23 | FW | Michael Ruth | 39 | 5 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 4 |
| 22 | DF | Matthew Shiels | 21 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| 15 | MF | Luca Vata | 0 | 3 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | Ryan Wallace | 16 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 8 |
| 14 | MF | Tony Wallace | 38 | 10 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 6 |
| 8 | MF | David Wilson | 23 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 20 | MF | Callum Wilson | 4 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | Gregg Wylde | 4 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | DF | Greig Young | 10 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Club captainVice-captain