Following six seasons of top half finishes in the league, season 1961–62 was to prove disastrous, with Dumbarton slumping to finish in 17th place with 28 points, 26 behind champions Clyde.

The League Cup sectional ties produced only one win from six games, resulting in no further interest in the competition.

Dumbarton lost out to East Stirling in the semi-final of the county cup.

Source:[119] Dumbarton played a team in the Combined Reserve League, but results were poor – finishing 7th and last in the first series with 1 win and 1 draw from 12 matches – and 5th in the second series with 3 wins and 3 draws from 12.

In the Scottish Second XI Cup, Dumbarton lost in the first round to Celtic.