The club gained revenge over Dumbarton in the third round, despite the Sons disputing the Lennox winner,[5] and, by the time it went to Edinburgh Swifts in the fourth, had only conceded 2 goals all season.

[9] At the time, the club was the second-biggest in the shire, with 96 members, compared to Jamestown's 80, Dumbarton's 68, and Renton's 50; however Vale of Leven had 264.

It lost 2–1 to the original Helensburgh club in the first round, but the Scottish FA ordered a replay because of "an irregularity in the appointment of referees".

It entered in 1881–82 but when drawn to play Vale of Leven the club scratched rather than face an inevitable defeat.

[18] From 1878 the club's colours were navy and white one-inch hooped jerseys and stockings, with blue knickers.