Manager Sean Fallon Scottish Cup Fourth Round | Scottish League Division 1 8th Scottish League Cup First Round | |
Top goalscorer League: Brian Gallacher (13)All: Brian Gallacher (14) | ||
Season 1980–81 was the 104th football season in which Dumbarton competed at a Scottish national level, entering the Scottish Football League for the 74th time, the Scottish Cup for the 86th time and the Scottish League Cup for the 34th time.
Contents
Overview
For the sixth year running, Dumbarton played league football in Division 1, and with Sean Fallon taking over the manager's post, there was some confidence that this season could see a top two finish. However, despite a promising start, results were mixed, and it was clear by the beginning of the year that any hopes of promotion had gone. Indeed, things may have been worse had there not been an unbeaten run in the final 6 games, and in the end Dumbarton finished in 8th place with 37 points, 20 behind champions Hibernian.
In the Scottish Cup, Dumbarton beat Premier Division opponents St Mirren in the third round before losing a close encounter in the next round to fellow Division 1 team Motherwell.
It was the same old story however in the League Cup, where Dumbarton lost in the first round, this time to Raith Rovers.
Locally, however, in the Stirlingshire Cup, there was something to cheer, with the silverware returning to Boghead after a final win over Stirling Albion.
Of note during the season was the amazing attempt to sign Johan Cruyff on a match-to-match basis. The £1,500 per match offer was eventually declined in favour of a £1.5 million contract from the USA.
The disappointing season was in the end to result in Sean Fallon's resignation as manager.
Results
All results are written with Dumbarton's score first.
Appearances
Dumbarton used 29 players for the 43 League, Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup matches, as detailed below. Alistair MacLeod was best by starting in every one of these matches.
Reserve Team
Dumbarton competed in the Scottish Reserve League First Division (West), winning 6 and drawing 6 of 26 games - finishing 11th of 14.
In the Scottish Second XI Cup, Dumbarton again lost to Dundee United in the fourth round, and in the Reserve League Cup, Dumbarton lost to Partick Thistle in the first round.