Scottish League Division Two 10th | Scottish Cup Runners Up | |
Stadium Boghead Park, Dumbarton Top goalscorer League: John Fraser/ Robert Hendry/ Henry Malloy (3)
All: Robert Hendry (9) | ||
Season 1896–97 was the 24th Scottish football season in which Dumbarton competed at national level, entering the Scottish Football League for the seventh time, and the Scottish Cup for the 24th time.
Contents
Overview
Dumbarton's drop to the Second Division for the first time and the return to amateur status had its consequences for Dumbarton's league performance. The team finished 10th (and bottom) of the league with just 6 points, and at the end of the season the club were voted out of the Scottish League - a mere 5 years after being crowned as undisputed league champions.
Despite the disastrous league performance, Dumbarton reached the final of the Scottish Cup before losing out to Rangers - which makes the decision to exclude the club from the Scottish League somewhat surprising.
Locally, Dumbarton lost in the final of the Dumbartonshire Cup to Vale of Leven.
During the season 3 'other' matches were played, of which 1 was won, 1 drawn and 1 lost, scoring 7 goals and conceding 8.
Results
All results are written with Dumbarton's score first.
County Caps
A Dumbartonshire representative match was played against a Rangers XI on 26 April 1897 in which Docherty; Mauchan; Hendry and Fraser were all selected to play - the match was won by Rangers 2-1.
Transfers
The loss of league status had its obvious effect with amongst those leaving the club during the season - John Gillan (to Everton), Jimmy Hartley (to Sunderland), Robert Hendry (to Rangers) and Samuel Woods (to Stoke).
Reserve Team
Dumbarton lost in the second round of the Scottish Second XI Cup to Rangers.