Dumbarton's fixture list during the season grew to its largest so far with 43 'friendly' matches being played. This included home and away ties against Rangers, Hibernian, Vale of Leven, Partick Thistle, Morton, Port Glasgow and 3rd LRV, a match against Renfrewshire Cup holders Abercorn, and a 4 match tour of the north of Scotland during the New Year holidays. In addition 6 matches were played against English opposition with mixed results. In all, 23 were won, 4 drawn and 16 lost, scoring 134 goals and conceding 98.
Of note amongst those donning the club's colours for the first time were Duncan Stewart and John Bell.
At the same time the club's squad was depleted by the loss four internationalists:
- Robert 'Plumber' Brown and Joe Lindsay moved to local rivals Dumbarton Athletic. James McAulay emigrated to Burma and Billy Robertson also heading for 'pastures new'.
In addition after returning from a short spell with Bolton Wanderers, Jock Hutcheson left the club for the final time.
Only includes appearances and goals in competitive Scottish Cup matches.
An international trial match was played on 18 February 1888 to consider selection of teams to represent Scotland in the upcoming games in the 1888 British Home Championship. Leitch Keir was selected to take part.
Subsequently, four Dumbarton players were selected to play for Scotland as follows:
- Geordie Dewar[15] and Duncan Stewart[16] earned their first caps and Ralph Aitken[17] earned his second cap against Ireland. Both Dewar and Aitken scored in the 10-2 win over the Irish.
- Leitch Keir[18] earned his fifth cap against England.
Representative matches
Dumbarton players were selected to play in Dumbartonshire county XI's as follows: