The 1913–14 season was the 37th Scottish football season in which Dumbarton competed at national level, entering the Scottish Football League, the Scottish Cup and the Scottish Qualifying Cup. In addition Dumbarton played in the Dumbartonshire Cup.

Scottish First Division

Dumbarton's return to 'top flight' league football for the first time since 1896 witnessed a good start which saw the club unbeaten in their first six league outings. This fine form could not be maintained however and Dumbarton eventually finished 19th out of 20 with 27 points.

Promotion/Relegation At the end of the season, only Cowdenbeath from the Second Division applied for admission to the 'top fight' but it was the bottom two in the First Division - Dumbarton and St Mirren - who retained their places in the end of season election. For the third time a vote was held to allow for automatic promotion/relegation but while the 11-7 vote was in agreement it failed to obtain the two-thirds majority required.

Scottish Cup

The Scottish Cup campaign was short-lived as Dumbarton lost out to Third Lanark in the second round.

Scottish Qualifying Cup Dumbarton qualified for the Scottish Cup by reaching the fourth round of the Scottish Qualifying Cup before losing to non-league Nithsdale Wanderers.

Dumbartonshire Cup After an absence of three seasons, Dumbarton entered the Dumbartonshire Cup but as in their previous six attempts were defeated in the final, this time by Renton.

Other Match There was a benefit match played for long serving player Robert Muirhead, against Third Lanark.

Player statistics

Source:

Transfers

Players in PlayerFromDate Alexander Clarkson Ardrossan Winton Rovers 13 May 1913 Thomas McConnell Ardrossan Winton Rovers 24 Jun 1913 Raeburn McLay Albion Rovers (trialist) 27 Jun 1913 John Murray Renton 14 Jul 1913 James McDade Port Glasgow 15 Jul 1913 Peter McFie Airdrie 13 Aug 1913 James Riddell Rangers 14 Aug 1913 James Thomson Third Lanark 29 Aug 1913 John Robertson Clyde 10 Sep 1913 John Davie Hamilton (trilaist) 24 Sep 1913 William McAlpine Benburb 12 Oct 1913 David Slimmon Auchinleck Talbot 20 Oct 1913 Harry Gildea Lochgelly United 12 Nov 1913 Robert Bryson Yoker Athletic 24 Nov 1913 Alexander Thom Yoker Athletic 10 Dec 1913 Thomas Lawrie Pontypridd 17 Dec 1913 James Brown Yoker Athletic 16 Jan 1914 John Plank Derby County 18 Feb 1914 Archibald Frew Ashfield 2 Mar 1914 Daniel Steele Third Lanark (loan) 4 Apr 1914 Alfred Gettins Partick Thistle 4 Apr 1914

Players out PlayerToDate William Brown Albion Rovers 9 Aug 1913 George Bennett Arthurlie 30 Aug 1913 Andy Robertson Johnstone 15 Oct 1913 Johnny Hill Celtic 24 Oct 1913 Robert Pender St Mirren 5 Feb 1914 William Duncan Dundee Hibs 12 Feb 1914 Willie Lithgow Vale of Leven

Source:

In addition Samuel Hendry and Alex McGillivray all played their final 'first XI' games in Dumbarton colours.

Reserve Team Dumbarton lost in the second round of the Scottish Second XI Cup to Kilmarnock.

References