Stephen Farrell

Playing career Farrell began his professional career with Kilmarnock before joining Stoke City in January 1990. In December 2012, Farrell was appointed assistant manager of Stranraer. He moved with Aitken to Dumbarton in May 2015.

Farrell returned to Stranraer in January 2017, taking up the position of manager after Brian Reid left the club by mutual consent.

In May 2021, Farrell returned to Dumbarton as manager on a two-year deal and was named League One manager of the month for September 2021. At the end of Farrell's first season in charge, the Sons were relegated via the playoffs to Scottish League Two. The following season the Sons won their first seven league games, with Farrell named League Two manager of the month for August 2022. He also won the award for November and December 2022, before signing a new contract with the Sons in January 2023. In Farrell's third season in charge they won promotion back to Scottish League One - defeating The Spartans 4-3 across two legs. The club were relegated the following season, with Farrell remaining in charge under new owner Mario Lapointe.

Farrell left Dumbarton on November 30, 2025 after 210 games in charge. His final match was a 4-0 home defeat to Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup. At the time of his departure he was the club's second longest serving manager post-war.

Personal life Outside football, Farrell is joint deputy General Secretary of the Prison Service Union.

Career statistics Player Source:

Managerial record

Dumbarton statistics include League Cup forfeit defeat against St Mirren on 9 July 2021 (Co-vid Pandemic).

Honours

Dumbarton

Scottish League One play-offs: 2023-24