A tribute to Colin Dobson

We were saddened to learn that former Rovers midfielder and player coach, Colin Dobson, passed away in Middlesbrough on 16th February, at the age of 82.

Born on 9th May 1940, in Eston, Cleveland, Colin turned professional with Sheffield Wednesday in November 1957 and in almost a decade with the Hillsborough side scored 49 goals in 177 league games, though he was left out of the FA Cup Final side when Wednesday were beaten 3-2 by Everton.

In August of that year he was transferred to Huddersfield Town for a £25,000 fee and he was top scorer for them in 1967/68 and 1968/69 and was a member of their Second Division title winning side in 1969/70.

His Huddersfield career saw him score 50 goals in 155 league games and during his time with them, in January 1972, he played four games whilst on loan with Brighton, though that was curtailed when he sustained a broken leg.

In June 1972 he became the first signing made by new Rovers manager Don Megson, a former Sheffield Wednesday team mate, as player coach and made his debut for the club against Southend United on 24th November that year.

A skilful, pacey, player, he was a regular in the 1973/74 promotion side, he also appeared in the famous 8-2 victory against Brighton and scored the 100th league goal of his career whilst a Rovers player.

His career at Eastville took in 63 league games, during which time he scored four goals, before leaving to embark on a coaching career in May 1976.

As well as an impressive club career, he gained representative honours, winning two England U-23 caps, playing against Yugoslavia and Denmark, appeared in one game for a Football League XI and toured the USA, New Zealand, Malaysia and Hong Kong with the Football Association in 1968.

His coaching career took in a number of clubs, both in this country and abroad and his CV includes spells with Coventry City, Port Vale, Gillingham, Aston Villa and Stoke in the UK and Sporting Lisbon, Kuwait and Oman, where he was national youth coach, in foreign climes.

It’s always sad to report the passing of a former player, and one remembered fondly by the club’s older supporters, and we send our condolences to Colin’s family and friends at this time.

With thanks to Keith Brookman