Season 1984–85 was the 101st football season in which Dumbarton competed at a Scottish national level, entering the Scottish Football League for the 79th time, the Scottish Cup for the 90th time and the Scottish League Cup for the 38th time.
Overview Dumbarton's return to the top tier of Scottish league football for the first time in a decade was to be short-lived. At the end of the year, it was looking likely that survival might be achieved, being 6 points clear of the relegation zone, however with only a win and a draw being taken from the last 15 matches, Dumbarton finished in 9th place and relegated to the First Division for next season.
In the Scottish Cup, Dumbarton lost to First Division Motherwell in the third round - the team who would replace them in the Premier Division at the end of the season.
The League Cup format reverted to straight knock-out, and after a first round win over Queen of the South, Dumbarton lost to fellow Premier Division opponents Dundee United.
Locally, in the Stirlingshire Cup, after a win on penalties over Falkirk in the first round, a reversal of rolls was the case in the semi-final in a disappointing 'penalties' semi final defeat to East Stirling.
Finally, Premier Division status brought with it an added bonus - being a participant in the annual televised indoor Tennent's Sixes tournament. Unfortunately Dumbarton did not progress beyond the group stages.
Results & fixtures
Scottish Premier Division
Scottish Cup
Scottish League Cup
Stirlingshire Cup
Pre-season and other matches
League table
Player statistics Squad
Transfers
Players in PlayerFromDate Steve McCahill Glennifer Thistle 14 Jun 1984 Jim Simpson Kilmarnock 1 Jul 1984 Harry Curran Eastercraigs 20 Jul 1984 Rob Campbell Cowdenbeath 21 Jul 1984 Stuart MacIver Duntocher BC 4 Aug 1984 Alan Kay Partick Thistle 11 Aug 1984 Gordon Arthur Stirling Albion 25 Aug 1984 Dougie McNab Hamilton (loan) 1 Sep 1984 Graeme Sinclair Celtic (loan) 22 Feb 1985
Players out PlayerToDate Albert Burnett Falkirk 3 Aug 1984 Tom Carson Dundee 8 Aug 1984 Joe Carson Partick Thistle11 Aug 1984 Dougie McNab Meadowbank Thistle1 Sep 1984 Jim Hughes Ardrossan Winton Rovers3 Apr 1985 Joe McGrogan Vale of Leven Martin Walsh Campsie Black Watch Rob Campbell Colin McKenzie
Reserve team Dumbarton competed in the Scottish Premier Reserve League, winning 4 and drawing 5 of 36 matches finishing 10th of 10.
In the Reserve League Cup Dumbarton lost in the second round to Aberdeen and in the Second XI Cup lost out to Motherwell in the first round.
Trivia The League Cup match against Queen of the South on 22 August marked Martin McGowan's 100th appearance for Dumbarton in all national competitions - the 89th Dumbarton player to reach this milestone. The League Cup match against Queen of the South on 22 August also marked John Bourke's 200th appearance for Dumbarton in all national competitions - the 18th Dumbarton player to break the 'double century'. The League match against Aberdeen on 22 September marked Joe Coyle's 200th appearance for Dumbarton in all national competitions - the 19th Dumbarton player to break the 'double century'. The League match against Rangers on 20 October marked Albert Craig's 100th appearance for Dumbarton in all national competitions - the 90th Dumbarton player to reach this milestone.
See also 1984–85 in Scottish football
References
External links Scottish Football Historical Archive