Dumbarton Football Club is a semi-professional football club in Dumbarton, Scotland. Founded on 23 December 1872, they are one of the oldest football clubs in Scotland.
The club plays home games at The Rock next to Dumbarton Castle. They currently play in Scottish League Two.
Contents
History
They were one of the most successful of the nineteenth century, winning the Scottish Football League in the first two seasons of the competition (the first jointly with Rangers).
The club ceased playing in 1901 and did not return to action until 1905. Although at the time it was emphasised that this was a new club, subsequent directives by the SFA and Scottish Combination appear to countermand this, possibly to fast-track the re-formed club into their competitions.
Since then, the club have spent the majority of their history outside the top flight, with their last appearance at the top level coming in 1984–85. The club were the first team (and one of only two) to win at least one league title in each of the top four tiers in the Scottish football league system.
In May 2021, when Stephen Farrell was appointed as the club's manager, it was announced that Dumbarton were to change ownership, with previous owners Brabco selling their majority share to Cognitive Capital. In November 2024 the club was placed into administration.
On 24 June 2025 the club was taken over by a new company wholly owned by Canadian businessman Mario Lapointe, with the original company entering liquidation. Dumbarton remained in League Two with the remaining 5 point deduction as already planned.
The club is currently managed by Frank McKeown who was appointed in December 2025.
Colours and badge
For 2026–27, the side will wear strips from the VSN brand for the first time. The home strip is mainly white with a black and gold band while the away strip is all gold with black pinstripes.
The club's badge features an elephant with a castle on its back, this represents Dumbarton Rock with Dumbarton Castle upon it, based on the historic town crest. Dumbarton Rock, a volcanic plug, is said to resemble an elephant.
In 2000, to coincide with the club moving from Boghead to The Rock, the club redesigned its badge. In May 2026 the badge was updated from yellow to "old gold" to reflect the traditional colours of the club.
The team's nickname 'The Sons' is derived from the phrase 'Sons of The Rock', a term used for those born in the town of Dumbarton.
Stadium
Dumbarton play their home games at The Rock. The 2,020 all seated stadium has been used since 2 December 2000. The only stand is overshadowed by Dumbarton Rock & sits aside the banks of the River Leven. The stadium has been named for sponsorship purposes for most of its existence:
Strathclyde Homes Stadium (Dec 2000 – Sep 2011) until the receivership of Strathclyde Homes
Dumbarton Football Stadium (Sep 2011 – Feb 2012)
Dumbarton Football Stadium Sponsored by DL Cameron (Feb 2012 – Jul 2012)
The BetButler Stadium (Jul 2012 – Sep 2014) until the liquidation of BetButler
Dumbarton Football Stadium (Sep 2014 – Jun 2015)
The Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium (Jul 2015 – May 2017)
The YOUR Radio 103FM Stadium (July 2017 – May 2018)
C&G Systems Stadium (May 2018 – May 2021)
Dumbarton Football Stadium (May 2021 – September 2021)
Moreroom.com Stadium (September 2021 – May 2023)
Dumbarton Football Stadium (May 2023 – July 2024)
Marbill Coaches Stadium (July 2024 – April 2026)
The Rock sponsored by Marbill Coaches (April 2026 – present)
Prior to December 2000, the team played at Boghead Park from 1879 until the end of the 1999–00 season; at that time their tenure of 121 years was the longest a senior Scottish club had stayed at the same ground. Between May and November 2000, Dumbarton shared Cliftonhill in Coatbridge with Albion Rovers.
Supporters and culture
Dumbarton were the first league club in Scotland to have a supporters' trust, which works to strengthen the links between the club and the fans. The trust owned a significant number of shares in the club and were the fourth largest shareholder prior to Mario Lapointe's takeover in 2025.
The supporters' trust works with the club to produce the match programme and run buses to away matches.
Players
Squad
As of 2 September 2026
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
On loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Hall of Fame
The club has a hall of fame plaque in the stadium displaying prominent players and teams from the clubs history.
Individuals
Teams
1882–83 Scottish Cup Winners
1890–91 Scottish League Champions (Tier 1)
1891–92 Scottish League Champions (Tier 1)
1910–11 Division Two Champions (Tier 2)
1971–72 Division Two Champions (Tier 2)
1983–84 Division One Runners Up (Tier 2)
1984–85 Premier Division Season (Tier 1)
1991–92 Division Two Champions (Tier 3)
2008–09 Third Division Champions (Tier 4)
Internationals
18 Dumbarton players were chosen to represent Scotland between 1880 and 1898. The club's international players were as follows:
In 2018 midfielder Dimitris Froxylias received a call-up to the Cyprus national football team, making his debut against Montenegro in March 2018. It was the first of two caps he would earn whilst a Sons player, becoming the club's first international since Irishman Harry Chatton in 1932.
In 2026 defender Ali Omar was called-up by the Somalia national football team, becoming the first Sons player to represent an African nation.
Recent league history
*Deducted 5 points for entering administration the previous season.
**Deducted 15 points for entering administration.
Managerial history
Manager records for all league, league play-offs, League Cup, Scottish Cup & Challenge Cup games (i.e. not including friendlies & Stirlingshire Cup games)
Permanent managers only. Stats include permanent managers who had initial caretaker spells.
As of match played 29 August 2026:
Honours
League
Scottish Football League: Winners 1890–91, 1891–92
Scottish First Division: Winners 1910–11, 1971–72
Runners-up 1907–08, 1983–84
Scottish Second Division: Winners 1991–92
Runners-up 1994–95
Play-Off Winners 2011–12
Scottish Third Division: Winners 2008–09
Runners-up 2001–02, 2022–23
Play-Off Winners 2023–24
Scottish Combination League: Winners 1905–06
Cup
Scottish Cup: Winners 1882–83
Runners-up 1880–81, 1881–82, 1886–87, 1890–91, 1896–97
Scottish Challenge Cup: Runners-up 2017–18
Scottish Qualifying Cup: Runners-up 1911–12
Scottish Consolation Cup: Runners-up 1907–08, 1910–11
Scottish Supplementary Cup: Runners-up 1945–46
Festival of Britain St. Mungo Quaich: Winners 1951–52
Stirlingshire Cup: Winners (16) 1952–53, 1956–57, 1964–65, 1972–73, 1974–75, 1980–81, 1982–83, 1985–86, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1993–94, 1995–96, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13
Runners-up 6 times
Dumbartonshire Cup: Winners (20) 1884–85 1888–89, 1889–90, 1890–91, 1891–92, 1892–93, 1893–94, 1894–95, 1897–98, 1898–99, 1914–15, 1921–22, 1922–23, 1929–30, 1930–31, 1931–32, 1932–33, 1935–36, 1936–37, 1939–40
Runners-up 17 times
Dumbartonshire Association Tournament: Winners 1885–86
Stirlingshire Consolation Cup: Runners-up 1950–51
League Charity Cup: Winners 1890–91
Glasgow Charity Cup: Runners-up 1881–82, 1884–85
Greenock Charity Cup: Winners 1889–90, 1890–91
Runners-up 1888–89, 1891–92
Dumbartonshire Charity Cup:
Reserves
Scottish Second XI Cup: Winners 1881–82
Runners-up 1882–83, 1883–84, 1886–87, 1889–90
Glasgow & District Reserve League: Runners-up 1942–43 (First Series), 1943–44 (First Series)
Scottish Alliance Reserve League: Winners 1956–57 (First Series)
Runners-up: 1956–57 (Second Series)
Combined Reserve League: Winners 1958–59 (Second Series)
Runners-up: 1958–59 (First Series)
Scottish Reserve League (West): Runners-up 1985–86
Glasgow & District Reserve League Cup: Runners-up 1942–43
Dumbartonshire Second XI Cup: Winners 1888–89, 1889–90, 1890–91, 1891–92, 1892–93
Youths
Scottish Under 19s League: Runners-up 2010–11
West Region Under 18s Cup: Runners-up 2022–23
West Region Under 17s Cup: Runners-up 2022–23
Scottish Lowland Development League: Runners Up 2025–26
SLDFL Knockout Cup: Winners 2025–26
SLDFL All-in Challenge Cup: Runners-up 2025–26
Club records
Biggest win:
Scottish Cup: 13–2 v Kirkintilloch Central (1 September 1888)
Biggest loss:
Scottish Football League: 1–11 v Albion Rovers (30 January 1926)
Scottish League Cup: 1–11 v Ayr United (13 August 1952)
Biggest home attendance:
Boghead Park: 18,001 v Raith Rovers, (2 March 1957)
Dumbarton Football Stadium: 2,020 v Rangers, (20 January 2024)
Most goals in a season: Kenny Wilson (38), 1971–72