Sons chance paid off
Published 29 Jun 2011 09:30
EX-Sons boss Gerry McCabe remembers the day Stephen Dobbie took to the pitch at the Strathclyde Homes Stadium and as the 54-year-old watched him nutmeg player after player, he thought: How did I get him here?
McCabe, now assistant manager at SPL side Dunfermline, revealed that he tried to lure many players to Division Three from higher leagues, but it was only Stephen that took the risk, and the rewards have been life changing for the striker.
Dobbie, now at newly promoted Premier League side Swansea scored to secure the Welsh sides place in Englands top flight, and did it the season before with Blackpool too.
And McCabe believes it was all down to the wake up call he got from playing for the Sons.
He told Sportscene: "I was at Dumbarton and I was trying to get some players from Division One to come to play for us, but no-one wanted to take the jump.
"However, I called Stephen as I had worked with him at Hibs and he was ready to take the risk and move to part-time football.
"This was his third loan spell, and it was a case of third time lucky for him.
"He signed from St Johnstone on loan and scored 10 goals in just 17 games.
"The shock for him from playing full-time to playing part-time really hit home.
"We all knew he had the talent to do what it takes to become a good player, it was his desire and fitness that was in question.
"Then when he realised this move could make or break his career, he made sure it made his.
"The goals were flying in, he was fit and hungry to play, he was enjoying the game again.
"Sadly for us, he had to go back to St Johnstone, but then he moved to Queen of the South and after having a better than goal every two games ratio, he got his move to Swansea.
"From there, he went on loan to Blackpool, got them promoted, and then went back to Swansea and did it again.
"He is a great player and his spell at the Sons got him playing to his best and I feel it was that that made him."
McCabe is now getting ready for life in Scotland's top flight after Dunfermline's promotion to the SPL and is looking forward to the challenge.
He added: "It is going to be a tough season, but we are all looking forward to it.
"We did very well to get here, so we will fight hard to make sure we are still in this league come the end of the season."
This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 28 Jun 11
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