2020–21 Dumbarton F.C. season

The 2020–21 season will be Dumbarton Football Club's third in Scottish League One, the third tier of Scottish football, having finished sixth in the division in 2019–20. Dumbarton will also compete in the Scottish League Cup and the Scottish Cup.

Dumbarton
2020–21 season
ChairmanJohn Steele
ManagerJim Duffy
StadiumC&G Systems Stadium
League CupGroup stage

Story of the season

July

After the premature end to the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, preparations for the new campaign began in July with manager Jim Duffy signing a one-year contract extension.[1] He was followed by defenders Morgyn Neill,[2] Ryan McGeever[3] and forward Stefan McCluskey[4] in committing to the club for the new season. Young Player of the Year Rico Quitongo was next to sign a new deal,[5] and he was joined by midfielder Ruaridh Langan.[6] Striker Denny Johnstone then became the club's first new signing of the summer - joining after leaving Falkirk.[7] Striker Robert Jones[8] and captain Stuart Carswell were next to sign new deals.[9] A day later PJ Crossan agreed a new deal, becoming the 10th player to sign up for the new campaign after six goals in his first season with the club.[10] Later that week nine players left the club at the expiry of the contract, with player of the year Kyle Hutton, top scorer Isaac Layne, leading assister Joe McKee and number one goalkeeper Conor Brennan joined by Lewis Crawford, Jordan Pettigrew, Callum Wilson, Jai Quitongo and Ryan Tierney in leaving the club.[11]

August

Sam Wardrop was the club's second new signing of the window, joining from Dundee United after two successful loan spells.[12] The Sons were drawn against Kilmarnock, Dunfermline Athletic, Clyde and Falkirk in the Scottish League Cup, which was scheduled the start the season in early October.[13] On 25 August the club started pre-season training following a change in the Scottish Government guidelines implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland.[14] Two days later Jim Paton became the club's new groundsman, replacing Alan Brown.[15]

September

On 1 September midfielder Nat Wedderburn became the club's third new season of the summer, joining on a one-year deal after leaving Airdrieonians.[16] Goalkeeper Kevin Dabrowski was next to join, signing on a season long loan from Hibernian.[17] The Sons played their first game in over six months on 15 September, defeating local rivals Clydebank 4-0 in a closed doors friendly with trialist Jaime Wilson and new signing Denny Johnstone both scoring twice.[18] Johnstone was again on the scoresheet in a friendly defeat to Greenock Morton[19] before a 3-2 victory against Albion Rovers with Robert Jones scoring twice and Ross Forbes finding the net from long range.[20] The Sons then drew 1-1 with BSC Glasgow with a trialist on the scoresheet.[21] Defender Chris Hamilton became the club's fifth new signing of the summer, joining on-loan from Heart of Midlothian.[22]

October

On 2 October long-serving goalkeeper coach Jamie Ewings left the club after nine seasons with the club as a player and a coach.[23] He was replaced by former Ayr United and Annan Athletic goalkeeper coach Robert Glen in the role.[24] The same day C&G Systems were announced as the club's new shirt sponsors for the upcoming season.[25] Goalkeeper Chris Smith became the club's sixth new signing of the summer. Returning to the club on a permanent deal after a loan spell from East Kilbride in 2018–19.[26] The Sons season started with a 1-0 Scottish League Cup defeat to Dunfermline Athletic,[27] before a 3-2 defeat to Clyde with Chris Hamilton scoring his first goal for the club - and being sent off.[28] Forward Jaime Wilson became the club's seventh new signing of the summer on 12 October, joining from National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 side Northcote City.[29] Donald Morrison became the club's next new addition, joining from Inverness Caledonian Thistle on 16 October.[30] The Sons' league season began with a 0-0 draw against Forfar Athletic, with winger Matthew Reilly playing as a trialist. He went on to sign permanently for the club on 23 October[31] before the club's first home league game against Clyde was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.[32] The following week Adam Frizzell became the club's 10th new addition of the summer on 30 October, joining on a permanent basis after a successful loan spell.[33] The same day it was announced that the Sons next home match, against Airdrieonians, would be switched to the Excelsior Stadium due to forecast poor weather.[34] Despite the change of venue Sons still recorded their first victory of the season in the match, with Jaime Wilson and a Leon McCann own goal securing a 2-0 win.

November

The Sons continued their good start to the season with a 1-0 victory against Clyde on 3 November. Adam Frizzell got the only goal on his second debut for the club.[35] The same day goalkeeper Chris Calder joined the club on an emergency loan from West of Scotland Football League side St Roch's.[36] The unbeaten start to the season ended on 7 November against East Fife in a game where Dumbarton had three goals disallowed.[37] Three days later Sons lost again, 4-0 at home to Falkirk, in the Scottish League Cup - in a tie where they were only able to name one outfield substitute.[38] Three days later the Sons strengthened their squad again, with the addition of defender Daniel Church from Celtic.[39] Church made his debut the next day, as the Sons dismal Scottish League Cup form continued with a 2-0 defeat to Kilmarnock. Back on league duty, Dumbarton recorded a fourth consecutive defeat - losing 1-0 to Peterhead. A miserable month ended with Sons suffering a fifth straight defeat, 3-0 at home to Falkirk on 24 November.

December

The Sons barren run in front of goal stretched into December, as the month opened with a 0-0 draw against Partick Thistle - with Kevin Dabrowski saving a first-half Brian Graham penalty.[40] In that game 16-year-old goalkeeper Michael Carr was named on the bench, becoming the youngest ever play to be involved in a Sons matchday squad.[41] A week later Nat Wedderburn then got the only goal as Sons ended their winless streak with a 1-0 home victory against Cove Rangers. They failed to build on that however, suffering a heavy defeat to Montrose the following week. The club's final game of 2020 against East Fife on Boxing Day was then called off because of a waterlogged pitch.[42]

January

Another postponement followed, as the Sons' tie with Airdrieonians on 2 January was called off because of a frozen pitch.[43] The decision meant that five of the club's first six home matches of the league season had been rearranged - with four failing pitch inspections and one moved due to Falkirk advancing in the Scottish League Cup. Days later goalkeeper Kevin Dabrowski, who had been a key figure, was recalled by Hibernian[44] after an injury to Ofir Marciano. He was followed out by fellow loanee Chris Hamilton who was recalled by Heart of Midlothian and loaned to Stirling Albion.[45] On January 9 goalkeeper Joshua Bradley-Hurst became the club's first signing of the winter window, joining from Birmingham City[46] however the same day the Sons Scottish Cup tie with Highland Football League side Huntly became the club's sixth game of the season to be called off.[47] The following day defender Daniel Church[48] and midfielder Adam Frizzell[49] extended their deals until the end of the season, whilst defender Donald Morrison left the club at the end of his short-term deal.[50] On January 11 the Sons season was put on hold, with a three week suspension of lower league football introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland.[51] The season postponement was extended further - until at least mid-February.[52]

First team transfers
  • From end of 2019–20 season, to last match of season 2020–21

In
Player From League Fee
Denny Johnstone Falkirk Scottish League One Free
Sam Wardrop Dundee United Scottish Premiership Free
Nat Wedderburn Airdrieonians Scottish League One Free
Kevin Dabrowski Hibernian Scottish Premiership Loan
Chris Hamilton Heart of Midlothian Scottish Championship Loan
Chris Smith Annan Athletic Scottish League Two Free
Jaime Wilson Northcote City National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 Free
Donald Morrison Inverness Caledonian Thistle Scottish Championship Free
Matthew Reilly Glenafton Athletic West of Scotland Football League Free
Adam Frizzell Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership Free
Chris Calder St Roch's West of Scotland Football League Loan
Daniel Church Celtic Scottish Premiership Free
Joshua Bradley-Hurst Birmingham City EFL Championship Free

Out
Player To League Fee
Joe McKee Queen of the South Scottish Championship Free
Conor Brennan East Kilbride Lowland Football League Free
Lewis Crawford Linlithgow Rose East of Scotland Football League Free
Isaac Layne Peterhead Scottish League One Free
Ryan Tierney BSC Glasgow Lowland Football League Free
Callum Wilson Albion Rovers Scottish League Two Free
Kyle Hutton East Kilbride Lowland Football League Free
Jai Quitongo Queen's Park Scottish League Two Free
Jordan Pettigrew Annan Athletic Scottish League Two Free
Donald Morrison Released Free

Fixtures and results

  Win   Draw   Loss   Upcoming fixture

Friendlies
15 September 2020 Friendly Clydebank 0 - 4 Dumbarton Holm Park
19:30 Report Wilson (trialist)  30'  55', Denny Johnstone  60'  90' Attendance: Closed doors
19 September 2020 Friendly Dumbarton 1 - 2 Greenock Morton Dumbarton Football Stadium
12:00 Denny Johnstone  26' Report Robbie Muirhead  55' (pen.) Gary Oliver  65' (pen.) Attendance: Closed doors
23 September 2020 Friendly Albion Rovers 2 - 3 Dumbarton Cliftonhill Stadium
19:30 Gabe Skeoch  60', Aron Lynas  66' Report Robert Jones  23'  28', Ross Forbes  36' Attendance: Closed doors
26 September 2020 Friendly Dumbarton 1 - 1 BSC Glasgow Dumbarton Football Stadium
12:00 Trialist  82' Report Alfredo Agyeman  31' Attendance: Closed doors

Scottish League One
Main article: 2020–21 Scottish League One
17 October 2020 League One Forfar Athletic 0 – 0 Dumbarton Station Park, Forfar
15:00 Report Attendance: Closed doors
Referee: Peter Stuart
31 October 2020 League One Airdrieonians 0 – 2 Dumbarton Excelsior Stadium
15:00 Report Jaime Wilson  22' OG  60' Attendance: Closed doors
Referee: Alan Muir
3 November 2020 League One Dumbarton 1 – 0 Clyde Dumbarton Football Stadium
19:00 Adam Frizzell  13' Report Attendance: Closed doors
Referee: Duncan Williams
7 November 2020 League One East Fife 2 – 1 Dumbarton Bayview Stadium
15:00 Jack Hamilton  18' Ryan Wallace  69' Report Jaime Wilson  61' Attendance: Closed doors
Referee: Peter Stuart
21 November 2020 League One Peterhead 1 – 0 Dumbarton Balmoor Stadium
15:00 Ben Armour  4' Report Attendance: Closed doors
Referee: Calum Scott
24 November 2020 League One Dumbarton 0 – 3 Falkirk Dumbarton Football Stadium
19:00 Report Callumn Morrison  16', Blair Alston  31', Aidan Connolly  77' Attendance: Closed doors
Referee: Steven Kirkland
5 December 2020 League One Partick Thistle 0 – 0 Dumbarton Firhill Stadium
15:00 Report Attendance: Closed doors
Referee: David Lowe
12 December 2020 League One Dumbarton 1 – 0 Cove Rangers Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00 Nat Wedderburn  51' Report Attendance: Closed doors
Referee: Greg Aitken
19 December 2020 League One Montrose 4 – 0 Dumbarton Links Park
15:00 Andrew Steeves  8', Cammy Ballantyne  24'  85', Russell McLean  40' Report Attendance: Closed doors
Referee: Matthew MacDermid
16 January 2021 League One Dumbarton – Forfar Athletic Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00 Attendance: Closed doors

Scottish Cup
TBC Second round Dumbarton - Huntly Dumbarton Football Stadium
19:45 Attendance: Closed doors

Matches
6 October 2020 Group Stage Dumbarton 0 - 1 Dunfermline Athletic Dumbarton Football Stadium
19:45 Report Kevin O'Hara  26' (pen.) Attendance: Closed Doors
Referee: Gavin Ross
10 October 2020 Group Stage Clyde 3 - 2 Dumbarton Broadwood Stadium
15:00 Barry Cuddihy  10', David Goodwillie  22' (pen.), Ross Cunningham  45' Report Chris Hamilton  40'  90', Robert Jones  55' Attendance: Closed doors
Referee: Scott Lambie
10 November 2020 Group Stage Dumbarton 0 - 4 Falkirk Dumbarton Football Stadium
19:45 Report Callumn Morrison  12'  49', Conor Sammon  72', Anton Dowds  84' Attendance: Closed door
Referee: Scott Lambie
14 November 2020 Group Stage Kilmarnock 2 - 0 Dumbarton Rugby Park
15:00 Eamonn Brophy  2', Mitch Pinnock  45' Report Attendance: Closed doors
Referee: Gavin Duncan

Player statistics
As of 23:53, 9 January 2021 (UTC)

All competitions
# PositionPlayerStartsSubsUnused subsGoals Red cards Yellow cards
1 GK Joshua Bradley-Hurst000000
21 GK Chris Calder[53]013000
21 GK Michael Carr002000
6 MF Stuart Carswell1100004
24 FW PJ Crossan230002
19 DF Daniel Church[54]600000
1 GK Kevin Dabrowski[55]1200000
8 MF Ross Forbes1100000
11 MF Adam Frizzell811100
18 DF Chris Hamilton910113
9 FW Denny Johnstone470000
10 FW Robert Jones[56]571100
4 MF Ruaridh Langan463000
7 FW Stefan McCluskey121000
2 DF Ryan McGeever1000001
15 DF Donald Morrison[57]135000
5 DF Morgyn Neill1200002
3 DF Rico Quitongo[58]1100002
17 MF Matthew Reilly[59]241000
21 GK Chris Smith104000
12 DF Sam Wardrop1300002
16 MF Nat Wedderburn1200102
14 FW Jaime Wilson[60]821203

Captains
No. P Name Country No. games Notes
6 MF Stuart Carswell 11
8 MF Ross Forbes 2

Last updated: As of match played 19 December 2020
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
6 East Fife 9 4 1 4 12 13 −1 13
7 Peterhead 11 4 1 6 10 13 −3 13
8 Dumbarton 9 3 2 4 5 10 −5 11
9 Clyde 8 3 0 5 9 19 −10 9 Qualification for the League One play-offs
10 Forfar Athletic 10 1 3 6 5 15 −10 6 Relegation to League Two
Updated to match(es) played on 2 January 2021. Source: SPFL
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).[61]

References
  1. "Dumbarton Football Club - JIM DUFFY AGREES TERMS FOR NEW SEASON". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  2. "Dumbarton Football Club - MORGYN IS BACK FOR NEXT SEASON". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  3. "Dumbarton Football Club - RYAN RETURNS FOR THE NEW CAMPAIGN". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  4. "Dumbarton Football Club - STEFAN IS NEXT TO SIGN UP". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  5. "Dumbarton Football Club - YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR IS BACK!". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  6. "Dumbarton Football Club - RUARIDH SIGNS ON AGAIN". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  7. "Dumbarton Football Club - DENNY JOHNSTONE SIGNS FOR DUMBARTON". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  8. "Dumbarton Football Club - JONES SIGNS NEW DEAL". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  9. "Dumbarton Football Club - THE CAPTAIN IS BACK ON BOARD!". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  10. "Dumbarton Football Club - CROSSAN COMES BACK". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  11. "Dumbarton Football Club - SQUAD CHANGES". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  12. "Dumbarton Football Club - SAM WARDROP IS BACK AT DUMBARTON!". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  13. "Dumbarton Football Club - BETFRED CUP DRAW - SONS FACE KILLIE". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  14. "Dumbarton Football Club - MANAGER LOOKS FORWARD TO TRAINING RETURN". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  15. "Dumbarton Football Club - NEW GROUNDSKEEPER CHECKS IN". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  16. "Dumbarton Football Club - NAT WEDDERBURN IS A SONS PLAYER!". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  17. "Dumbarton Football Club - KEEPER DABROWSKI ARRIVES ON LOAN". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  18. "Dumbarton Football Club - DUMBARTON START FRIENDLY ACTION". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  19. "Dumbarton Football Club - ANOTHER WORKOUT FOR DUMBARTON AGAINST MORTON". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  20. "Dumbarton Football Club - BUILD-UP CONTINUES AT CLIFTONHILL". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
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  23. "Dumbarton Football Club - JAMIE EWINGS SAYS FAREWELL". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  24. "Dumbarton Football Club - ROBERT GLEN IS NEW GOALKEEPER COACH". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  25. "Dumbarton Football Club - C&G SYSTEMS ARE DUMBARTON'S NEW SHIRT SPONSORS". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  26. "Dumbarton Football Club - GOALKEEPER SMITH RETURNS TO DUMBARTON". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  27. Clarke, Fraser (6 October 2020). "Dumbarton 0-1 Dunfermline Athletic - Duffy rages at contentious spot kick". Daily Record. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  28. Clarke, Fraser (10 October 2020). "Clyde 3-2 Dumbarton - Duffy says Keeper Kevin kept Sons in tie". Daily Record. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  29. "Dumbarton Football Club - JAIME WILSON SIGNS FOR DUMBARTON". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  30. "Dumbarton Football Club - MORRISON JOINS SONS". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  31. "Dumbarton Football Club - SONS SIGN REILLY". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  32. "Dumbarton Football Club - GAME POSTPONED". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  33. "Dumbarton Football Club - ADAM FRIZZELL IS A DUMBARTON PLAYER AGAIN". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  34. "Dumbarton Football Club - TOMORROW'S MATCH IS SWITCHED TO AIRDRIE". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  35. "Dumbarton Football Club - VICTORY FOR SONS AGAINST CLYDE". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  36. "Dumbarton Football Club - GOALKEEPER ARRIVES ON LOAN". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  37. Clarke, Fraser (7 November 2020). "East Fife 2-1 Dumbarton - Sons have three goals chalked off in frustrating loss". Daily Record. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  38. Clarke, Fraser (10 November 2020). "Dumbarton 0-4 Falkirk Duffy praises weary Sons despite defeat". Daily Record. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  39. "Dumbarton Football Club - DANIEL CHURCH JOINS DUMBARTON". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  40. "Partick Thistle v Dumbarton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  41. Clarke, Fraser (8 December 2020). "Talented Dumbarton United goalkeeper focused on schoolwork - despite Sons chance". Daily Record. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  42. "Dumbarton Football Club - GAME OFF". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  43. "Dumbarton Football Club - GAME OFF". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  44. "Dumbarton Football Club - DABROWSKI RETURNS TO HIBERNIAN". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  45. "Dumbarton Football Club - CHRIS HAMILTON RECALLED BY HEARTS". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  46. "Dumbarton Football Club - JOSHUA BRADLEY-HURST JOINS DUMBARTON". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  47. "Dumbarton Football Club - CUP TIE POSTPONED". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  48. "Dumbarton Football Club - DANIEL CHURCH EXTENDS DEAL". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  49. "Dumbarton Football Club - ADAM FRIZZELL REMAINS ON BOARD". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  50. "Dumbarton Football Club - DONALD MORRISON LEAVES DFC". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  51. "Dumbarton Football Club - SCOTTISH FA BOARD CONFIRMS THREE-WEEK SUSPENSION OF PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL BELOW CHAMPIONSHIP". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  52. "Dumbarton Football Club - TWO MORE MATCHES POSTPONED". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  53. "Chris Calder | Player Statistics | Dumbarton (Sons Archive)". sonsarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  54. "Daniel Church | Player Statistics | Dumbarton (Sons Archive)". sonsarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  55. "Kevin Dąbrowski | Player Statistics | Dumbarton (Sons Archive)". sonsarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  56. "Robert Jones | Player Statistics | Dumbarton (Sons Archive)". sonsarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  57. "Donald Morrison | Player Statistics | Dumbarton (Sons Archive)". sonsarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  58. "Rico Quitongo | Player Statistics | Dumbarton (Sons Archive)". sonsarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  59. "Matthew Reilly | Player Statistics | Dumbarton (Sons Archive)". sonsarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  60. "Jaime Wilson | Player Statistics | Dumbarton (Sons Archive)". sonsarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  61. "The Rules of the Scottish Professional Football League" (PDF). SPFL. pp. 38–39. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
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