The 1943–44 season was the fifth Scottish football season in which Dumbarton competed in regional football during World War II.
Scottish Southern League
Dumbarton had their best performance to date in their fourth season in the Scottish Southern League. Indeed, for two weeks in October 1943 Dumbarton topped the league. However, with only two wins recorded after the New Year it was a 5th-place finish out of 16 that was achieved with 32 points - 18 behind champions Rangers. Nevertheless, the league results included a first ever league win over Celtic at Celtic Park.
League Cup South
Despite an unbeaten away record, Dumbarton failed to qualify from their section in the League Cup South.
Summer Cup
Dumbarton suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Clyde in the first round of the Summer Cup.
Player statistics
Source:
Transfers
Players in PlayerFromDate Brendon Bell Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 7 Jul 1943 George Brooks Benburb 7 Jul 1943 Thomas Lipton St Anthony's 9 Aug 1943 Andrew McAlpine Fauldhouse United 25 Aug 1943 Robert Wallace Hamilton Academical 2 Oct 1943 Frank Douglas Renfrew 8 Dec 1943 James Anderson Partick Thistle 5 Feb 1944 Albert McLean Glasgow Perthshire 18 Mar 1944 Bobby Donaldson Bathgate Thistle (loan) 22 Apr 1944 James Hoy Glasgow Perthshire 22 Apr 1944 Alex Kay (loan) 25 May 1944 Tom Brawley Stoke City Ian McCall Vale of Leven (loan) Andrew Boyd {loan} John Milne {loan} David Watson
Players out PlayerToDate James Hornell Released 8 Jul 1943 Willie Reid Cowdenbeath (loan) 3 Aug 1943 John Morgan Released 11 Dec 1943 Murdoch McCormack Released 11 Dec 1943 Douglas McBain Amateur 12 Apr 1944
In addition George Henderson and John Honeyman both played their last games in Dumbarton 'colours'.
Source:
Reserve team Dumbarton continued to run a Second XI during the season.
In the Scottish Second XI Cup, Dumbarton lost in the second round to St Mirren, and finished as runners-up in the Glasgow & District Reserve League (First Series).
References