2023–24 Dumbarton F.C. season

Following the playoff final loss to Annan Athletic the Sons released Joe McKee, Martin McNiff, John Gemmell, Ally Love, Stuart Carswell, Russell McLean and Edin Lynch on May 16.[1] Gregor Buchanan, Kalvin Orsi, Harry Broun and Luca Vata were all offered new deals. The same day the club announced the appointment of Kenny Morrison as their new chief scout.[2] Defender Gregor Buchanan turned down a new deal and left the club on May 26 after more than 160 appearances across two spells with the Sons.[3] Blair Malcolm became the club's first new signing of the summer on May 27, joining from Albion Rovers.[4] A busy day on May 29 then saw the club make four signings; midfielders Callum Wilson,[5] Tony Wallace[6] and Carlo Pignatiello[7] all returned for second spells at the club. And were joined by Mark Durnan who signed from Alloa Athletic.[8][9] The club's first friendlies were announced on May 31, with Hebburn Town visiting The Rock on July 1 and a trip to face Workington AFC on July 8.[10]

On June 7 three new signings were announced. Defenders Sean Crighton[11] and Greig Young[12] joined from Stenhousemuir and Raith Rovers respectively, along with midfielder James Hilton from Stranraer.[13] Winger Kalvin Orsi also agreed a new deal with the club, snubbing full-time offers from elsewhere.[14] A third friendly of pre-season was announced, with Premiership St Mirren visiting G82 on July 4.[15] In the Scottish League Cup the Sons were drawn in a section with Dundee, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Airdrieonians and Bonnyrigg Rose.[16] Striker Michael Ruth became the club's ninth new signing of the summer on June 15, signing a year long deal following his departure from Queen of the South.[17] The squad returned for pre-season training on June 17, with goalkeeper Harry Broun signing a new season long deal the same day.[18] On June 23 Mark Durnan was announced as the club's new captain, with Sean Crighton appointed vice-captain.[19]

Friendly action began in July, with Sons suffering a 3-2 defeat to Hebburn Town on July 1. Jinky Hilton and Ross MacLean were on the scoresheet.[20] Three days later the Sons lost 3-0 to Scottish Premiership St Mirren. The pre-season schedule concluded with a 4-0 victory against Workington on July 8 at Borough Park. Ross MacLean, Ryan Blair and Declan Byrne got the goals. With youth academy graduate Luca Vata scoring his first top team goal.[21] The club's Scottish League Cup campaign began with a 2-0 defeat to Airdrieonians with the Diamonds scoring twice in the final four minutes.[22] That was followed by a 2-1 victory against Championship Inverness Caledonian Thistle thanks to goals from Ryan Wallace and Tony Wallace.[23] A 0-0 draw and penalty shootout victory against Bonnyrigg Rose followed, before the campaign concluded with a 3-1 loss to Scottish Premiership Dundee.

Prior to the club's first game of the season defender Matthew Shiels became the club's 10th addition of the summer, joining from Hamilton Academical having previously spent time on loan at the Sons from Rangers in 2019–20.[24] The club's first league game of the season ended in a 1-1 draw with Bonnyrigg Rose on August 5, with Ryan Blair scoring Sons' goal. Another 1-1 draw followed, this time with newly promoted Spartans. Tony Wallace got Dumbarton's goal from the penalty spot.[25] A third 1-1 draw followed, with Sons defeating Kilmarnock B 9-8 on penalties in the Scottish Challenge Cup.[26] The Sons won their first league game on August 19, defeating Forfar Athletic 3-1. David Wilson, Finlay Gray and Ross MacLean got the goals.[27] A 4-2 victory against Stenhousemuir ended the month. Goals from Sean Crighton, Ross MacLean and James Hilton had the Sons 4-0 up at half-time before Matty Aitken's second-half brace.

A third straight win followed to start September, with Sean Crighton scoring an 87th minute winner against East Fife. A week later Michael Ruth scored his first goal for the club in a 3-1 Scottish Challenge Cup defeat to Kelty Hearts.[28] Winger Gregg Wylde left the club on September 12 after making 59 appearances, scoring six times.[29] A first league defeat of the season came against Elgin City on September 16, with a second coming a week later against Peterhead. In the Scottish Cup the Sons were given a home tie against Highland Football League side Banks O' Dee.[30] The month ended with a return to winning ways and a 3-1 success against Stranraer - Tony Wallace, Ryan Wallace and Michael Ruth got the goals.

The first game of October ended in a dominant 4-0 away victory against Clyde - Ryan Wallace, Tony Wallace, Michael Ruth and James Hilton got the goals. A 2-0 defeat away to The Spartans followed.

No.	P	Name	Country	No. games	Notes
5	DF	Mark Durnan		16	Club captain
26	DF	Sean Crighton		0	Vice-captain

Last updated: As of match played 17:57, 21 October 2023 (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.