When I started to watch Burnley in earnest back in March
1973, Martin Dobson was already established as an important member of what was, to be
fair, an excellent team. After all, he had the experience of almost four first and two
second division campaigns behind him.
In Adamson’s stylish footballing side, Dobson played his
role to perfection. Remember, this was the team eulogised for upholding the era’s
preoccupation with the idea of ‘Total Football’. The team of the seventies (not
to be confused with John Bond’s team of the over seventies).
You had to admire just how good an all round footballer he
was. He made so much time for himself on the ball, a prerequisite of the modern game. He
would shield the ball, turn, ride a couple of challenges, then lay off a perfect ball to a
colleague, in one seemingly flowing movement. His timing in the tackle was impeccable and
he always had an eye for goal (he actually made his debut for Burnley as a centre
forward), scoring forty-plus goals in his first spell alone.
After leading the Clarets to the second
division championship in my first season, it was unfortunate that he was only to stay
one complete season at Turf Moor back in the top flight. 1973/74
saw a creditable sixth place and great cause for optimism. I was convinced that we would
be at Wembley the following season. Burnley didn’t make it, but Dobson did.
It was inevitable that this fairly successful season would
bring international recognition. However, Dobbo’s international career cannot be
described as spectacular. It lasted seven months, amounted to just five caps, but perhaps
more remarkably, spanned three managers.
The first cap, against Portugal in Lisbon, came in Alf
Ramsey’s last game in charge, in April 1974, the score 1-1. In came Joe Mercer, who
promptly overlooked Dobson for the home internationals and Argentina at Wembley, only to
recall him for the mini tour of the Eastern block: three games in eight days, and he
played in them all. They were East Germany 1-1, Bulgaria, won 1-0, and Yugoslavia 2-2. His
one chance at Wembley was at the end of October, heralding the Don Revie era, against
Czechoslovakia. It lasted seventy minutes, when with the score still 0-0, a double
substitution saw him replaced by Trevor Brooking. England proceeded to then score three
times in the remaining twenty minutes, so from then on Trev got the nod.
To make things worse from my point of view, Dobbo was now an
Everton player. Dobson’s transfer to Everton probably ranks as my most disenchanted
time as a Burnley fan. I admit I was naïve about things like the sell to survive policy,
an unfortunate result of a small town club having to balance the books, and of course
there was that stand to pay for. Right up until the last minute I was convinced he would
stay. I expected him to lead the team out on that fateful night against Chelsea; he
didn’t but I forgave him eventually. There was a definite air of despondency amongst
the fans that night and I think it transferred itself to the players, who were perhaps as
disappointed as we were. The result was a 1-2 defeat, the first game without Dobbo.
Despite finishing in tenth place that season I felt the
writing was on the wall, although at the time I’d no idea it was to be in such big
letters. Relegation, then almost inevitably third division football followed. More and
more empty seats in the Martin Dobson Stand on matchdays.
Then at last, in the 1979/80 season, Dobbo came home. Despite
the prodigal son’s return, Burnley were relegated. They followed this by achieving
only eighth place in their first season in the third division, but Dobson was as good as
ever, and on the goal trail again too; nine this season, mainly from penalties. His
influence the following year, particularly on the young players, was instrumental in Burnley’s quest for the championship. He was older, wiser, and no
doubt financially secure from his stay at Goodison, but he did not lose his enthusiasm or
competitive edge. He played an assured, cultured role in the back four, and the
championship was a mere formality.
The Dobson magic was not, however, enough to prevent
relegation the next season, and when big bad John took over he preferred Tommy Hutchinson
as captain. The end of the road for Dobbo. So, like his England career, no fairytale
ending. Still, I consider it a privilege to have watched him. He was the best player
Burnley had in the post maximum wage era, the best player I’ve seen in Claret and
Blue. He served the club well in his two spells. A truly honest professional and a
genuinely nice bloke too (I met him just before his departure on that England tour).
So here’s to you Dobbo, wherever you are. Stalwart
servant to Burnley Football Club, unbeaten in England’s colours and you will always
be remembered, as long as sad thirty seven year olds mutter, ‘’And it’s
Dobson for Burnley…’’ as they slide the ball past the despairing dive of
their twelve year old daughter… pathetic isn’t it?
Dave
McCluggage
January 1995
I have just found your excellent website and
very much enjoyed reading your article on Martin, who I played against every year at
school. He was at Clitheroe Royal, and I was at Darwen Grammar. I also played with him
(and Brian Hall, who for some reason everyone called "Arthur", who was at
Preston Grammar and went on to Liverpool and England), for Lancashire Schools in the early
sixties.
Martin was a year younger than me, but could
head it further than most of us could kick it some days. He shaved a year earlier than
everyone else, and he had a grown up man's muscles when we were puny kids!
He was also the only one to head a big up and
under from a goalie in wet weather when the ball was heavy.
You could tell he was going to make a serious
future in football when he was only 13, and the best player on the field in under 15
games. Brian Hall didn't stand out anything like as much as Martin did. Didn't Bolton
reject Martin before he went to Turf Moor? Still, they rejected Alan Ball too!
Martin was classy in play and in life. I bumped
into him in a pub near Haslingden when he was in the big time with Everton. He remembered
me and was a gent.
He was no doubt the best player I have ever
faced on pitch. Thanks for bringing back some great memories, and if he is in contact with
you, please give him my best wishes.
Ian Baldwin
December 2000
Links - The 1972-73 and 1973-74
seasons and the 1981/82 season of triumph
