Football Season Guide

Dumbarton have been one of the teams hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. They were struggling financially before they went six months without a game, while their squad was not of a particularly high standard in any case. Manager Jim Duffy is going to have to work wonders if they are to be competitive this season. The Sons have seen their outstanding player from last season, Joe McKee, leave for Queen of the South, while a host of other regulars have also departed, including top scorer Isaac Layne, who enjoyed that status due to a surprisingly strong start to the season. More is needed from existing players such as Stefan McCluskey, PJ Crossan and Ross Forbes, but there has been little to suggest previously that they will relish the type of fight Dumbarton are likely to find themselves in. Quality over quantity has been the focus of the signings that Dumbarton have made thus far – or at least that is the idea. Denny Johnstone and Nat Wedderburn are their two highest profile arrivals, though both have much to prove after struggling at this standard last season with Falkirk and Airdrie respectively. With this in mind, they are both risks. Right-back Sam Wardrop has joined from Dundee United having been on loan at the club since January. Another young defender in the form of Hearts’ Chris Hamilton has arrived, and he comes totally untested. In goal, meanwhile, Maciej Dabrowski should be the No.1 after joining on loan from Hibs, with the experienced Chris Smith in as back up.