Third Lanark AC
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George Dobbie Centre Forward 1951 - 1957
George signed for Thirds from Stoneyburn Juniors late 1951, and provided sterling service for the club, particularly during 1952-54 seasons. National service duties delayed his debut, and injuries later in his Cathkin career, also curtailed his appearances.
Nevertheless he played 69 first team games, scoring a remarkable 36 goals, in the process. Every one was valuable, but later I will highlight a few examples of his instinctive sense of the quickest route to goal - which today's top strikers would be proud to possess.
His goal average of one every second game would still be extremely difficult to beat - added to his uncanny skills in setting up many others with precision passes galore. What price George Dobbie in today's transfer market?
It should be remembered at this point that George & Thirds were playing in the old Scottish First Division - the equivalent of today's SPL and the opposition consisted of the top Scottish players of that time. I know the family has been made aware of an amusing incident concerning George when he was in the side that played rangers at Cathkin on one occasion. The 'gers defensive wall consisted of Willie Woodburn, George Young and three others and in one of Dobbie's attacking runs up the field, he left ‘woodie’ stranded for the umpteenth time. Minutes later the big man approached him to say – “Hi George, if you try that again, I'll give you a free flight into the stand!” An ultimatum, only minutes earlier he had given also to Ally McLeod. Fright not flight continued in that Rangers defense in that match.
Turn the clock back now - 57 years, and join me in cheering on the Hi Hi’s as they ran out at Annfield Park, Stirling, at 3pm. On Saturday 22nd march, 1952 George Dobbie was making his debut in the following side: Robertson, Phillips, Gordon, Kennedy, Duncan, Jamieson, Goodall, Miller, Dobbie, Gallagher and McLeod.
90 minutes later, a glorious double from George had given Thirds a share of the points, and George the man of the match tag.
He also played a big part in Thirds, two Scottish Cup semi final games against Aberdeen at Ibrox in 1953, sadly going out in the replay.
On 8th August 1953 at Recreation Park Alloa, thousands of Thirds' fans & I was one of them, screamed with delight as they watched their heroes hammer ten goals into the Wasps net, without reply - and George netted four, his own best achievement.
Only two weeks later another dandy double from Dobbie set up Thirds for an unbelievable 9-1 result against Dundee united. The following side lined up in both above games -
Robertson, Balunas, Harrower, Docherty, Forsyth, Mooney, Wilson, Henderson, Dobbie, Dick, McLeod.
Time restricts further examples of this goal scoring machine in action, but my appreciation of George's football ability, has been equally matched by comments from former team mates, over many years, when contacted by me to gather information for my book "Still Seeing Red" - Cathkin legends like Jocky Robertson, Matt Balunas, Harry Mooney, Jimmy Harrower, & Jimmy Mason, all sadly now gone, confirmed their quiet admiration of Dobbie, as a man - dependable, full of integrity, his own style of humour, and above all a good friend - not to mention his God given football skills.
Cathkin park in days gone by often held over 20,000 home fans and I have no hesitation in saying now on behalf of all the fans’ who saw George Dobbie in action, proudly wearing the famous "scarlet" - George - thanks for all the wonderful memories.
May I finish with a message to the Dobbie family & friends - - Third Lanark was a club for all people - both the club and many players have now gone, (42 years ago) but will not be forgotten. Our sincere condolences to you all at this sad time.