2025–26 Dumbarton F.C. season
| 2025–26 season | |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Dr Neil Mackay (until July 23) John Steele |
| Manager | Stevie Farrell |
| Stadium | Marbill Coaches Stadium |
| League Cup | Group stage |
The 2025–26 season will be Dumbarton Football Club's first back in Scottish League Two, the fourth tier of Scottish football, having finished 10th in Scottish League One in 2024–25. Dumbarton will also compete in the Scottish League Cup and the Scottish Cup.
Story of the season
May
Preparations for the new season following relegation back to Scottish League Two started with David Wilson, Joel Mumbongo and Greig Young being released.[1] On May 21 Canadian businessman Mario Lapointe was announced as the administrator's new preferred bidder, and it was hoped that a takeover deal could be concluded by early June.[2] On the park, forward James Hilton left after two seasons - turning down a new deal to join League Two rivals Clyde.[3]
June
Midfielder Finlay Gray was the next player to leave, turning down a new deal to join Stenhousemuir after three seasons with the club.[4] The same week friendlies were confirmed with St Mirren and West of Scotland Football League side Irvine Meadow.[5] Carlo Pignatiello and Michael Ruth both left the club on June 12 to join Queen's Park.[6][7] At the same time it was announced that the club would be exiting administration following the formation of a Newco.[8] The club's first matches of the new season came in the Stirlingshire Cup - with a squad entirely made up of trialists losing 2-0 in 60 minute matches against Stenhousemuir and Stirling Albion.[9] On June 24 the club's takeover by Canadian businessman Mario Lapointe was officially confirmed.[10]
This was followed by a busy period of activity as the club's squad began to take shape. Skipper Mark Durnan was the first to agree a new deal,[11] and was joined in staying by Cameron Clark, Ryan Blair,Tony Wallace[12] and Aron Lynas.[13] New signings arrived in the shape of defender Morgyn Neill,[14] returning for a second spell at the club, former East Fife defender Gordon Walker[15] and goalkeeper Shay Kelly - who returned after a successful loan spell.[16]
The following days was busy too, with Chris Johnston,[17] Ally Roy[18] and Dominic Docherty[19] all joining the club on permanent deals. On June 27, a quadruple loan signing saw Carrick McAvoy, Thomas Falconer and Theo McCormick join from St Mirren, and Ollie Ecrepont sign from Ayr United.[20] The same day, former East Kilbride defender Adam Livingstone also joined the club.[21] However Michael Miller and Patrick O'Neil were joined by youngster Zak Queen in leaving the club on the same day.[22] The first home friendly of the Mario Lapointe era ended in a 4-0 defeat to Scottish Premiership St Mirren.
July
The first friendly of July ended in a 4-3 defeat to Irvine Meadow XI - Ally Roy and two trialists, Scott Honeyman and Kemo Darboe, got Dumbarton's goals.[23] On July 4 Kalvin Orsi turned down a new deal and left the club for Alloa Athletic.[24] The same day winger Scott Tomlinson joined on loan for the season from Ayr United.[25] The club's final pre-season friendly on July 6 ended in a 3-3 draw with Queen of the South - with Tony Wallace, Ryan Blair and Ally Roy on target.[26] On July 9, Scott Honeyman became the club's 13th new addition of the summer - joining from Falkirk after impressing during a spell on trial.[27] He was followed by striker Leighton McIntosh who joined from Jordanian side Al Ahli SC.[28] The Scottish League Cup group stage got underway with a 1-0 victory against Stirling Albion with Kyle Banner's own goal separating the sides. Midfielder Kai Kirkpatrick joined on loan from Kelty Hearts in the lead up to the match, and made his debut as a substitute.[29] A 4-0 defeat to Dunfermline Athletic followed. On July 23, John Steele was appointed as the club's new chairman - replacing Dr Neil Mackay in the role.[30] On the park, the Sons lost 4-0 to Heart of Midlothian, before finishing their group stage campaign with a 1-0 win against Scottish League One Hamilton Academical - Ally Roy got the winner.
August
The league season got underway on August 2, with Sons winning 2-1 against Clyde at the Dumbarton Football Stadium. Liam Scullion netted an own goal with Ryan Blair scoring the second, directly from a corner. On August 5, defender Kristian Webster returned to the club on a permanent deal until January after impressing on loan the season previous.[31] The first away league match of the season brought a third straight victory, with an own goal and Kai Kirkpatrick scoring his first for the Sons in a 2-1 win against The Spartans. The good form continued with a 4-2 success against St Mirren B in the Scottish Challenge Cup. Scott Tomlinson, Chris Johnston and Dom Docherty got their first Dumbarton goals, with Tony Wallace also on target. A 1-1 draw with Elgin City maintained the unbeaten start - with Scott Honeyman netting his first goal for the club.
First team transfers
- From end of 2024–25 season, to last match of season 2025–26
In
| Player | From | League | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morgyn Neill | Alloa Athletic | Scottish League One | Free |
| Gordon Walker | Free Agent | Free | |
| Shay Kelly | St Mirren | Scottish Premiership | Free |
| Chris Johnston | Free Agent | Free | |
| Dominic Docherty | Clyde | Scottish League Two | Free |
| Ally Roy | Stirling Albion | Scottish League Two | Free |
| Carrick McEvoy | St Mirren | Scottish Premiership | Loan |
| Thomas Falconer | St Mirren | Scottish Premiership | Loan |
| Theo McCormick | St Mirren | Scottish Premiership | Loan |
| Ollie Ecrepont | Ayr United | Scottish Championship | Loan |
| Adam Livingstone | East Kilbride | Scottish League Two | Free |
| Scott Tomlinson | Ayr United | Scottish Championship | Loan |
| Scott Honeyman | Falkirk | Scottish Premiership | Free |
| Leighton McIntosh | Al Ahli SC | Jordanian Pro League | Free |
| Kai Kirkpatrick | Kelty Hearts | Scottish League One | Loan |
| Kristian Webster | Rangers | Scottish Premiership | Free |
Out
| Player | To | League | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Wilson | Free | ||
| Joel Mumbongo | Annan Athletic | Scottish League Two | Free |
| Greig Young | Free | ||
| Craig McGuffie | Peterhead | Scottish League One | Free |
| James Hilton | Clyde | Scottish League Two | Free |
| Finlay Gray | Stenhousemuir | Scottish League One | Free |
| Michael Ruth | Queen's Park | Scottish Championship | Free |
| Carlo Pignatiello | Queen's Park | Scottish Championship | Free |
| Matthew Shiels | Queen's Park | Scottish Championship | Free |
| Mouhamed Niang | East Kilbride | Scottish League Two | Free |
| Michael Miller | Free | ||
| Patrick O'Neil | Free | ||
| Zak Queen | Free | ||
| Kalvin Orsi | Alloa Athletic | Scottish League One | Free |
Fixtures and results
Win Draw Loss Upcoming fixture
Stirlingshire Cup
| 21 June 2025 Ground stage | Stenhousemuir | 2 - 0 | Dumbarton | Ochilview Park |
| 10:00 | Michael Anderson  42' 44' |
| 21 June 2025 Group stage | Stirling Albion | 2 - 0 | Dumbarton | Ochilview Park |
| 12:00 | Dale Carrick 31' 49' |
Friendlies
| 28 June 2025 | Dumbarton | 0 - 4 | St Mirren | Dumbarton Football Stadium |
| 15:00 | Report | Mikael Mandron 37', Roland Idowu 52' 58', James Scott 85' |
Attendance: 1,357 |
| 3 July 2025 | Irvine Meadow | 4 - 3 | Dumbarton | Meadow Park |
| 19:45 | Jojo Gillespie 26' (pen.), Shaun Gallagher 49', Ross McKenzie 84', Euan Baird 88' |
Report | Ally Roy 29', Kemo Darboe (T) 71', Scott Honeyman (T) 77' |
Referee: Ross Clark |
| 5 July 2025 | Dumbarton | 3 - 3 | Queen of the South | Dumbarton Football Stadium |
| 15:00 | Tony Wallace 48' (pen.), Ryan Blair 62', Ally Roy 68' |
Report | Kemo Darboe (T) 51' 52', Reece Lyon 90' |
Attendance: 387 Referee: Alastair Grieve |
Scottish League Two
| 2 August 2025 League Two | Dumbarton | 2 – 1 | Clyde | Dumbarton Football Stadium |
| 15:00 | OG 21', Ryan Blair 35' |
Report | Marley Redfern 43' |
Attendance: 912 Referee: Josh Hay |
| 9 August 2025 League Two | The Spartans | 1 – 2 | Dumbarton | Ainslie Park |
| 15:00 | Mark Stowe 48' |
Report | OG 17', Kai Kirkpatrick 32' Ryan Blair  24'  77' |
Attendance: 512 Referee: Jordan Curran |
| 16 August 2025 League Two | Dumbarton | 1 – 1 | Elgin City | Dumbarton Football Stadium |
| 15:00 | Scott Honeyman 74' |
Report | Josh Walker 34' |
Attendance: 673 Referee: Joel Kennedy Man of the Match: Kai Kirkpatrick |
| 23 August 2025 League Two | Annan Athletic | – | Dumbarton | Galabank Stadium |
| 15:00 |
Scottish Cup
| - |
Challenge Cup
| 12 August 2025 League stage | Dumbarton | 4 - 2 | St Mirren B | Dumbarton Football Stadium |
| 19:45 | Scott Tomlinson 20', Chris Johnston 35', Tony Wallace 61', Dominic Docherty 86' |
Report | Evan Mooney 55', Fraser Taylor 69' |
Attendance: 317 Referee: Graham Grainger |
Scottish League Cup
Matches
| 15 July 2025 Group stage | Dumbarton | 1 - 0 | Stirling Albion | Dumbarton Football Stadium |
| 19:45 | OG 52' |
Report | Ross Cunningham  49' |
Attendance: 455 Referee: Jamie Wilkie Man of the Match: Thomas Falconer |
| 19 July 2025 Group stage | Dumbarton | 0 - 4 | Dunfermline Athletic | Dumbarton Football Stadium |
| 15:00 | Josh Cooper 14' 59', Chris Kane 45+1', Andrew Tod 55' |
Attendance: 1,026 Referee: George Calder |
| 23 July 2025 Group stage | Hearts | 0 - 4 | Dumbarton | Tynecastle Park |
| 19:45 | Shankland 17' Steinwender 45+3'Kyziridis 52'Braga 72' |
BBC Report | Attendance: 8,722 Referee: Iain Snedden |
| 26 July 2025 Group stage | Hamilton Academical | 0 - 1 | Dumbarton | Broadwood Stadium |
| 15:00 | Report | Ally Roy 45' |
Attendance: 290 Referee: Joel Kennedy |
Player statistics
- As of 18:35, 16 August 2025 (UTC)
All competitions
| # | Position | Player | Starts | Subs | Unused subs | Goals |
Red cards |
Yellow cards
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | MF |  Ryan Blair |
6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 3 | DF | Cammy Clark |
3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | MF | Dominic Docherty |
4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | DF | Mark Durnan |
6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 19 | GK | Ollie Ecrepont |
3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | MF | Thomas Falconer |
1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 21 | MF | Scott Honeyman |
4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | MF | Chris Johnston |
1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | GK | Shay Kelly
|
5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 27 | MF | Kai Kirkpatrick |
5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 14 | DF | Adam Livingstone |
5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | GK | .svg.png){kind=small} Brett Long |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | Aron Lynas
|
2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | DF | Derin Marshall |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | FW | Theo McCormick |
0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | MF | Carrick McEvoy |
2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | FW | Leighton McIntosh |
5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | DF | Morgyn Neill
|
7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 20 | FW |  Dean Rhappozzoh |
0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | FW | Ally Roy |
7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | Scott Tomlinson |
8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | MF | Tony Wallace |
4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 25 | DF |  Gordon Walker |
7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 12 | DF | Kristian Webster |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Captains
| No. | P | Name | Country | No. games | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | DF | Mark Durnan |
|
6 | Club captain |
| 11 | MF | Tony Wallace |
|
2 | Club captain |
Last updated: As of match played 23:53, 16 August 2025 (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
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Annan Athletic | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 5 | Qualification for the League One play-offs |
| 5 | Stirling Albion | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 4 | |
| 6 | Dumbarton | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 2[a] | |
| 7 | Elgin City | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 1 | |
| 8 | Clyde | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 1 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only for deciding promotion, play-off participation and relegation).[33]
Notes:
- ^ Dumbarton were deducted five points for entering administration during the previous season.
League Cup table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | HOM | DNF | DUM | HAM | STI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart of Midlothian | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | +15 | 12 | Qualification for the second round | — | 4–1 | 4–0 | — | — | |
| 2 | Dunfermline Athletic | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 9 | — | — | — | 2–1 | 2–0 | ||
| 3 | Dumbarton | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | −6 | 6 | — | 0–4 | — | — | 1–0 | ||
| 4 | Hamilton Academical | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 3 | 0–4 | — | 0–1 | — | — | ||
| 5 | Stirling Albion | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 9 | −9 | 0 | 0–4 | — | — | 0–2 | — |
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[35]
Challenge Cup table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | East Fife | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 3 | Advance to Second round |
| 4 | Dundee United B | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 3 | |
| 5 | Dumbarton | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 | |
| 6 | Peterhead | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 | |
| 7 | Celtic B | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 |
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 qualification).[36]
References
- ^ "MEN'S SQUAD UPDATE". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ^ "Dumbarton takeover: Mario Lapointe close to buying club". BBC Sport. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ Hart, Sean (22 May 2025). "NEW SIGNING: James Hilton". Clyde F.C. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ Davidson, Louise (6 June 2025). "Finlay Gray is Our First Summer Signing". Stenhousemuir FC. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "IRVINE MEADOW PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Oliver, David (12 June 2025). "Queen's Park bring former Aberdeen striker back to join First team squad". Queen's Park Football Club. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ Oliver, David (13 June 2025). "Welcome to Queen's Park - Carlo Pignatiello". Queen's Park Football Club. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ "Dumbarton: SPFL club plan to exit administration by becoming new company and seek SFA approval". BBC Sport. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Dumbarton field entire team of trialists for pre-season game". BBC Sport. 21 June 2025. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ Marzella, Chris (24 June 2025). "Dumbarton FC sale finalised as Canadian businessman completes takeover". Daily Record. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "SKIPPER STAYS ON". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "ARON LYNAS EXTENDS SONS STAY". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "MORGYN NEILL RETURNS". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "GORDON WALKER SIGNS". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "SUPER SHAY KELLY STAYS IN GOAL". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "CHRIS JOHNSTON RETURNS". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "ALLY ROY RETURNS TO THE ROCK". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "DOM DOCHERTY ARRIVES". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "FOUR LOANEES ARRIVE". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ "ADAM LIVINGSTONE IS A SON". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ "FINAL SQUAD UPDATE". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ "MEADOW EDGE OUT SONS IN IRVINE". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "CLUB STATEMENT: KALVIN ORSI". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ "SCOTT TOMLINSON JOINS ON LOAN". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ "SIX-GOAL THRILLER AT THE ROCK". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ "HONEYMAN ADDS A BUZZ TO THE ROCK". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ "SONS SEAL SIGNING OF LEIGHTON MCINTOSH". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "KAI KIRKPATRICK SWITCHES TO SONS". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ^ "BOARDROOM UPDATE". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
- ^ "KRISTIAN WEBSTER SWINGS BACK INTO THE ROCK". Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ^ "League Two Table". Scottish Professional Football League. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ "The Rules of the Scottish Professional Football League" (PDF). SPFL. pp. 38–39. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
- ^ "Summary - League Cup". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ "Format". SPFL. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ "The Rules of the Scottish Professional Football League" (PDF). SPFL. pp. 38–39. Retrieved 21 July 2025.