Stephen Dobbie

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Stephen Dobbie
45 Stephen Dobbie.JPG
Dobbie outside Palmerston Park, Dumfries
Personal information
Full name Stephen Dobbie
Date of birth 21 August 1982 (1982-08-21) (age 29)
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Playing position Forward
Club information
Current club Swansea City
Number 14
Youth career
2000–2002 Rangers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2002–2003 Rangers 0 (0)
2002 → Northern Spirit (loan) 3 (3)
2003–2005 Hibernian 35 (2)
2005 → St. Johnstone (loan) 8 (2)
2005–2007 St. Johnstone 20 (1)
2006–2007 → Dumbarton (loan) 17 (10)
2007–2009 Queen of the South 83 (47)
2009– Swansea City 50 (11)
2010 → Blackpool (loan) 19 (5)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 30 May 2011.
† Appearances (Goals).

Stephen Dobbie (born 21 August 1982) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays for Swansea City.

Dobbie began his career with Rangers in 2002, but did not play in a first team match. He had more opportunities at Hibernian, whom he joined in 2003 and then St. Johnstone whom he joined, initially on loan, in 2005. However, he failed to command a regular starting place at either club. His career was revived by a loan spell at Dumbarton in 2006 and he then became a prolific goalscorer for Queen of the South, who he joined in 2007, scoring 47 goals in 83 league appearances plus seven cup goals. Dobbie was traditionally a striker but recently has been playing as an attacking midfielder.

Contents

[edit] Rangers and Northern Spirit

Born in Glasgow, Dobbie started his career at Rangers, but failed to break into the first team despite being prolific in the reserve side. In 2002 he went on loan to Australian National Soccer League club Northern Spirit, scoring three goals in three league games in the 2002–03 season. He was transferred to Hibernian in 2003 after no first-team league appearances for Rangers.

[edit] Hibernian

Dobbie made his debut on 9 August 2003 as an 85th minute substitute in a 2–1 win over Dundee United at Tannadice Park. After five substitute appearances, he made his full debut on 23 September, scoring a hat-trick in a 9–0 win over Montrose in the second round of the 2003–04 Scottish League Cup. His full league debut came four days later in a 1–2 defeat to Celtic at Easter Road, and he scored his first league goal on 7 December in a 1–3 defeat to Aberdeen at Pittodrie Stadium.

On 5 February 2004, in the semi-final of that season's Scottish League Cup at Hampden Park against his former club Rangers, Dobbie scored the equalising goal in the 79th minute. The game ended 1–1 after extra time and Hibs won 4–3 on penalties. Despite this, Dobbie failed to win a regular place in the Hibernian first team as Garry O'Connor and Derek Riordan were preferred. Dobbie was a 70th minute substitute in the 2004 Scottish League Cup Final defeat by Livingston. Hibs lost 2–0 to goals by Derek Lilley and Jamie McAllister.[1]

He made a total of 33 appearances, scoring six goals that season. On 3 July he made his European debut in the second round of the 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup, as a 76th minute substitute, in a 1–1 draw with Lithuanian A Lyga side Vėtra at Easter Road.

He then started the 2004–05 season with Hibernian, making seven League and three League Cup appearances.

[edit] St Johnstone and Dumbarton

Stephen Dobbie playing for St Johnstone

A lack of opportunities at Hibs under the management of Tony Mowbray meant that Dobbie was sent on loan to Scottish First Division side St. Johnstone on 28 January 2005. His debut came on 19 March as a 57th minute substitute in a 0–2 defeat to Ross County at McDiarmid Park and scored his first goal in a 4–0 win over Partick Thistle at the Firhill Stadium on 16 April. He made a total of eight appearances for the club that season, scoring two goals.

The transfer to St Johnstone was made permanent in the summer of 2005, going on to make a total of 27 appearances scoring 4 goals in the 2005–06 season.

He struggled to hold down a regular place in the team, and the following season he was loaned out to Scottish Third Division Dumbarton, where he found some form, scoring ten goals in seventeen league games. He made his debut on 19 August 2006 in a 0–1 defeat to Queen's Park at Hampden Park. His first goal came in his second match for the club, a 1–3 defeat to Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the Caledonian Stadium in the second round of that season's Scottish League Cup. He made a total of 18 appearances on loan at Dumbarton, scoring 11 goals.

[edit] Queen of the South

Dobbie's form at Dumbarton was noticed by Dumfries based Scottish First Division club Queen of the South who signed him from St. Johnstone on 5 January 2007. He made his debut the following day in a 1–1 draw with Dundee in the third round of the 2006–07 Scottish Cup at Dens Park.[2] In the replay, a 3–3 draw at Palmerston Park ten days later, Dobbie scored his first two goals for the club. Queen's went on to win the tie 4–2 on penalties[3] After scoring another brace in a 4–3 home league win over Partick Thistle on 27 January, he scored again in the 2–0 fourth round victory over Cowdenbeath in the Scottish Cup. He then grabbed a third brace on 17 February in a 3–0 win over Airdrie United at the Excelsior Stadium. He then played in the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup as Queen's lost 2–1 to his former club Hibernian.[4] He scored 13 goals in a total of 19 appearances that season.

With Gordon Chisholm appointed manager for the 2007–08 season, Dobbie and Queens embarked upon a club history making Scottish Cup run. He scored twice in the third round as Queen's beat Peterhead 5–0 at the Balmoor Stadium on 24 November 2007. He added another goal in the fourth round 4–0 home win over Linlithgow Rose on 12 January 2008.[5] Queen's then beat Greenock Morton 2–0 in the fifth round on 2 February.

Dobbie's opening goal in a 2–0 home win in the quarter-final against Dundee on 8 March helped to take Queens to their first Scottish Cup semi final since 1950.[6] The second goal was scored by Ryan McCann with a notably long range shot from 84 yards.[4] Queens then progressed to their first ever Scottish Cup Final by beating Aberdeen 4–3 in the semi-final on 12 April. Dobbie started the semi-final at Hampden Park, but had to be substituted approaching half time due to injury.[7] Despite second half goals by Steve Tosh and Jim Thomson, Queens' lost 2–3 to Rangers in the final on 24 May, with Dobbie being substituted in the 82nd minute.[4][8] Dobbie was Queens' top scorer for the 2007–08 season with 20 goals in a total of 44 games as the club finished fourth in the First Division.

Dobbie played in Queens' 2008–09 UEFA Cup campaign in August 2008, in which they lost 2–4 over two legs to Danish Superliga side FC Nordsjælland in the second qualifying round.[4][9] Despite being the most prolific goal scorer at Queens since Andy Thomson in the early 90s, Chisholm elected to leave Dobbie out of the starting line up for both games, preferring Stewart Kean.[10]

The 2008–09 season saw Dobbie score 23 goals in 32 league games, including four in one game, a 7–1 home win over Clyde. All four goals came in just 13 minutes in the second half of the game.[11]

On 6 May 2009, Queen of the South announced Dobbie was moving to Wales to play for Championship side Swansea City. Dobbie said of the move "I'm sad to leave Queen of the South as I felt I'd struck up a good bond with the fans those past two and a half years. However, it's an offer I just couldn't refuse! I'd like to say a big thank-you to the manager, the players, coaching staff at Palmerston and I'll never forget my time there. If I'm not playing any week don't be surprised to see me in the stand watching Queens in action. Good luck to you all."[12] Dobbie was the first player to transfer between the two clubs since Tommy Lang in 1938.[13]

[edit] Swansea City

Swansea City confirmed on 7 May 2009 that they had agreed personal terms with Dobbie who would be moving to the South Wales club, subject to a medical at the Liberty Stadium.[14] He passed the medical on 22 May, signing a three-year deal with the club on a free transfer.[15][16] His first two goals for Swansea came in a 3–0 win at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in the first round of the 2009–10 League Cup on 11 August 2009.[17] His third goal came in the next round of the League Cup, a 1–2 defeat at home to Scunthorpe United on 25 August.[18] This gave Dobbie three goals in six games for Swansea at this point. However he lost his team place due to injury and played only two more games for Swansea in 2009.

[edit] Blackpool

On 1 February 2010, Dobbie signed for fellow Championship side Blackpool on loan until the end of the season,[19] with a view to a permanent move.[20]

This would eventually make Paulo Sousa who was Swansea City manager at the time very unpopular with the fans for many reasons. As Dobbie was not signed by Sousa it was believed the two never got along. Despite being a potential goalscorer Dobbie was often snubbed and never given many chances. Swansea City fans were also angry because Dobbie was loaned to their promotion rivals for the play off places.

Two days later he scored on his debut, in a 3–2 defeat to West Bromwich Albion at Bloomfield Road.[21] On 6 February, in his first full appearance, he found the net again in the 89th minute of a 2–1 home defeat to Leicester City. Dobbie scored a crucial goal in a play-off semi final against Nottingham Forest that earned Blackpool a place in the Wembley final.[22] Dobbie made a second half substitute appearance in the 3–2 play off final win against Cardiff City.

[edit] Return to Swansea City

After his loan spell with Blackpool, Dobbie returned to Swansea City. After Paulo Sousa left the club to manage Leicester City, new Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers gave Dobbie more chances in the first team. With Craig Beattie and Gorka Pintado out injured, leaving only Shefki Kuqi to compete with for the lone striker role in the team, Dobbie was heavily relied on to score goals.[citation needed]

Dobbie during pre match training before a match in 2011

Dobbie scored in a 4–0 home win against Preston North End on 14 August 2010, his first goal in 12 months for Swansea, which he dedicated to Besian Idrizaj.[23] The following month he put Swansea 1-0 up against Leeds United in the 13th minute, but they went on to lose 2-1.[citation needed] After Shefki Kuqi was loaned to Derby County, Dobbie was the only fit and available striker at the club while Rodgers looked elsewhere for a loan signing.[citation needed] West Ham striker Frank Nouble arrived at the club on a three month loan deal as competition for Dobbie.[citation needed] Dobbie was dropped to the bench but later came on and scored to make it 2-0 to the Swans.[citation needed] On 28 September 2010 his next goal came at Watford, which gave Swansea a 3-2 win.[citation needed]

From October to January, Dobbie was only used as a substitute and failed to score any goals as he was replaced by Middlesbrough loan signing Marvin Emnes and a returning Craig Beattie.[citation needed] It became more difficult for Dobbie to get a chances in the team when Jermaine Easter joined for a month on loan from Milton Keynes.[citation needed] On 28 December 2010 at home to Barnsley, Dobbie was given a rare start, alongside Jermaine Easter.[citation needed] Easter scored the only goal of the game, while Dobbie impressed in what seemed to be an attacking midfield role.[citation needed]

After Luke Moore was signed from West Brom, Dobbie continued to be kept on the bench.[citation needed] On 22 February 2011, away at Coventry City, Dobbie came from the bench to score the winning goal in a 1-0 win.[citation needed] It was his first goal in 5 months.[citation needed]

On 26 February 2011, in a 3-0 win against play-off rivals Leeds United, Dobbie impressed playing behind lone striker Luke Moore.[citation needed] He helped Luke Moore score the third goal of the game with an impressive through ball.[citation needed] On 8 March 2011 he opened the scoring with an early goal at home to Watford, with the final score being 1-1.[citation needed] He scored three goals in the last two games of the season, which helped Swansea finish third in the table.[citation needed]

During the first leg of the semi-final play-off match away at Nottingham Forest, left back Neil Taylor was sent off after only a minute into the game.[24] In order to bring on a defender to reorganise the team, Rodgers substituted Dobbie moments later.[24] Dobbie scored the second goal in the home leg against Forest, which helped secured Swansea a place in the final with a 3–1 aggregate victory.[22]

Dobbie then played in the 2011 Football League Championship play-off Final at Wembley, a second successive successful appearance in the play off final. A 4-2 victory against Reading, Dobbie scored his side's third goal and also set up one for Scott Sinclair.[10]

[edit] Career statistics

As of 18 May 2011 22:30
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Northern Spirit 2002-03 3 3 - - - 3 3
Total 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3
Hibernian 2003-04 28 2 1 0 4 4 - 33 6
2004-05 7 0 - 3 1 1 0 11 1
Total 35 2 1 0 7 5 1 0 44 7
St Johnstone (loan) 2004-05 8 2 - - - 8 2
St Johnstone 2005-06 20 1 1 0 2 2 - 23 3
Total 28 3 1 0 2 2 0 0 31 5
Dumbarton (loan) 2006-07 17 10 - 1 1 - 18 11
Total 17 10 0 0 1 1 0 0 18 11
Queen of the South 2006-07 15 8 4 3 - - 19 11
2007-08 36 16 6 4 1 0 - 43 20
2008-09 32 23 1 0 1 0 2 0 36 23
Total 83 47 11 7 2 0 2 0 98 54
Swansea City 2009-10 6 0 1 0 2 3 - 9 3
Blackpool (loan) 19 5 - - - 19 5
Swansea City 2010-11 44 11 1 0 3 0 - 47 11
Total 50 13 2 0 5 3 0 0 57 14
Career Total 234 89 15 7 17 11 3 0 269 98

[edit] Personal life

When Dobbie moved from Swansea to Blackpool in February 2010, his wife Susanne was nine months pregnant and already overdue.[25] When he made his debut for the Seasiders on 3 February, she was five days overdue. He said: "My wife is in a hotel on the prom. I've got a house organised, which we are about to move into. It has been a bit rushed. It was a case of a quick pack in Swansea, so the baby will be born in England now."[26] The baby, a boy, was born the following weekend.[27]

[edit] Honours

Hibernian – 2004 Scottish League Cup Finalist
Queen of the South – 2008 Scottish Cup Finalist
Blackpool – 2010 Football League Championship play-off Final winner
Swansea City - 2011 Football League Championship play-off Final winner

[edit] References

  1. ^ 'League Cup Doonhamers', www.qosfc.com
  2. ^ "Dundee 1–1 Queen of the South". BBC Sport. 6 January 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/6234099.stm. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
  3. ^ "Queen of the South 3–3 Dundee". BBC Sport. 16 January 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/6263095.stm. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
  4. ^ a b c d "A (Not So) Brief History". Queen of the South FC. http://www.qosfc.com/History. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
  5. ^ "QoS 4–0 Linlithgow Rose". BBC Sport. 12 January 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/7181106.stm. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
  6. ^ Taylor, Julian (8 March 2008). "Queen of the South 2–0 Dundee". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/7281745.stm. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
  7. ^ Moffat, Colin (12 April 2008). "Queen of the South 4–3 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/7341879.stm. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
  8. ^ Lindsay, Clive (24 May 2008). "Queen of the South 2–3 Rangers". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/7416622.stm. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
  9. ^ Conaghan, Martin (26 August 2008). "Nordsjaelland 2–1 QoS (4–2". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7580935.stm. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
  10. ^ a b "Congratulations Stephen Dobbie" 30 May 2001 www.qosfc.com
  11. ^ "Queen of Sth 7 – 1 Clyde". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=583474. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
  12. ^ Goldie, Bill (6 May 2009). "'DOBBS' SIGNS FOR SWANSEA". Queen of the South FC. http://qosfc.com/ClubNews/ViewFullStory/tabid/151/selectmoduleid/498/ArticleID/567/reftab/54/Default.aspx. Retrieved 1 February 2010. [dead link]
  13. ^ "Tommy Lang" www.qosfc.com 4 Jun 2011
  14. ^ "Swans agree terms with Dobbie". Swansea City AFC. 7 May 2009. http://www.swanseacity.net/page/Latest/0,,10354~1650508,00.html. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
  15. ^ "Swansea finalise Dobbie signing". BBC Sport. 22 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/queen_of_the_south/8028005.stm. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
  16. ^ "Swans complete Dobbie signing". Swansea City AFC. 22 May 2009. http://www.swanseacity.net/page/Latest/0,,10354~1664937,00.html. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
  17. ^ "Swansea 3 – 0 Brighton". BBC Sport. 11 August 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8190041.stm. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
  18. ^ "Swansea 1 – 2 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. 25 August 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8205360.stm. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
  19. ^ "Busy Deadline Day At Bloomfield Road". Blackpool FC. 1 February 2010. http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~1952227,00.html. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
  20. ^ "Pool swoop for trio". Blackpool Gazette. 1 February 2010. http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Pool-swoop-for-trio.6032495.jp. Retrieved 2 February 2010. 
  21. ^ "Match Report: Blackpool vs WBA". Blackpool FC. 3 February 2010. http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10432~48651,00.html. Retrieved 3 February 2010. 
  22. ^ a b Nursey, James (16 May 2011). "Swansea 3-1 Nottingham Forest: Daily Mirror match report". Daily Mirror. http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Swansea-3-1-Nottingham-Forest-Stephen-Dobbie-scores-one-and-makes-one-as-Swans-soar-off-to-Wembley-article737090.html. Retrieved 22 May 2011. 
  23. ^ "Swansea 4-0 Preston: Daily Mirror match report". Daily Mirror. 15 August 2010. http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Swansea-4-0-Preston-Daily-Mirror-match-report-Stephen-Dobbie-and-his-team-mates-deliver-their-own-fitting-tribute-to-Besian-Idrizaj-article555737.html. Retrieved 22 May 2011. 
  24. ^ a b Shuttleworth, Peter (12 May 2011). "Nott'm Forest 0 - 0 Swansea". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13324684.stm. Retrieved 22 May 2011. 
  25. ^ "Pregnant pause for goal hero Dobbie". Blackpool Gazette. 5 February 2010. http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Pregnant-pause-for-goal-hero.6047600.jp. Retrieved 6 February 2010. 
  26. ^ Canavan, Steve (3 February 2010). "Dobbie delight over fresh start". Blackpool Gazette. http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpool-football-club/Dobbie-delight-over-fresh-start.6039649.jp. Retrieved 6 February 2010. 
  27. ^ "The Latest From Bloomfield Road – Monday". Blackpool F.C.. 8 February 2010. http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~1958696,00.html. Retrieved 8 February 2010. 

[edit] External links

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