Bobby Linn
{{short description|Scottish footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Bobby Linn
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|10|10|df=y}}
| birth_place = Dundee, Scotland
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=7}}
| fullname = Robert Linn
| currentclub = Dundee North End
| clubnumber =
| position = Winger
| youthclubs1 = Dundee
| years1 = 2003–2004
| clubs1 = Dundee
| caps1 = 13
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2004–2007
| clubs2 = Peterhead
| caps2 = 83
| goals2 = 28
| years3 = 2007–2008
| clubs3 = Greenock Morton
| caps3 = 19
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2007
| clubs4 = → East Fife (loan)
| caps4 = 10
| goals4 = 3
| years5 = 2008–2012
| clubs5 = East Fife
| caps5 = 155
| goals5 = 35
| years6 = 2012–2013
| clubs6 = Ballingry Rovers
| caps6 =
| goals6 =
| years7 = 2013–2023
| clubs7 = Arbroath
| caps7 = 301
| goals7 = 73
| club-update = 19:03, 25 June 2023 (UTC)
| years8 = 2023–2025
| clubs8 = Lochee United
| caps8 =
| goals8 =
| years9 = 2025–
| clubs9 = Dundee North End
| caps9 = 0
| goals9 = 0
}}
Robert Linn (born 10 October 1985) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a winger for Midlands League club Dundee North End. Linn started his career with Dundee before signing for Peterhead. He then moved to Greenock Morton, from whom he joined East Fife, initially on loan. After spending a year in the Juniors with Ballingry Rovers, Linn signed for Arbroath in June 2013, and would spend a decade with the club which would include a rise from 9th in the Scottish League Two to coming 2nd in the Scottish Championship.
Career
Linn began his career with Dundee, making his debut as a substitute for Fabián Caballero in a 1–0 win against Partick Thistle in the Scottish Premier League on 18 October 2003,{{cite web|title=Dundee edge out Thistle|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/3195096.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 October 2003|access-date=25 August 2019}}
{{cite web|title=Linn contract terminated|url=http://www.thedees.co.uk/|publisher=Dundee F.C.|date=22 September 2004|access-date=25 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040923060601/http://www.thedees.co.uk/|archive-date=23 September 2004|url-status=usurped}} with his first goal coming on 3 December 2003, the winning goal in extra-time in a 1–0 win against Hearts in the Scottish League Cup.{{cite web|title=Dundee edge out Hearts|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/3252846.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=3 December 2003|access-date=25 August 2019}} On 22 September 2004, Linn left Dundee after having his contract terminated by mutual consent with the club growing increasingly frustrated with Linn's behaviour and attitude problems. He had previously been banished from the first team squad for two months due to repeatedly missing training, however, this banishement failed to serve its purpose and Linn's off-field antics continued, eventually leading to termination of his contract and consigning Linn to a career in the lower leagues.{{cite web|title=Dundee let Linn go|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee/3679462.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 September 2004|access-date=25 August 2019}}
Linn then signed for Peterhead of the Scottish Third Division in October 2004.{{cite web|title=Busy day in transfer market|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/3749330.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 October 2004|access-date=25 August 2019}} In Peterhead's match against Stranraer on 15 September 2006, he scored four goals in a 5–2 victory,{{cite web|title=Peterhead 5–2 Stranraer|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/5346472.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 September 2006|access-date=25 August 2019}} and went on to win the Scottish Football League Player of the Month award for September.{{cite web|title=Linn named player of the month|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/6044252.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 October 2006|access-date=25 August 2019}}
On 6 January 2007, Linn signed for Greenock Morton on a two-and-a-half-year contract.{{cite web|title=Morton capture Linn and Mathers|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/morton/6237413.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 January 2007|access-date=25 August 2019}} He made his debut from the bench, at home to Alloa Athletic on 13 January 2007.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/6256885.stm|title=Morton 2–1 Alloa Athletic|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 January 2007|access-date=6 December 2009}}
In October 2007, having not featured regularly for Morton in the early matches of the season, Linn was loaned to East Fife for the remainder of the season,{{cite web|title=Linn makes loan move to Methil|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/morton/7031714.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 October 2007|access-date=25 August 2019}} although it was then discovered that the rules only allowed the loan to last for three months.{{cite web|title=East Fife 4 Albion Rovers 0: Linn The Mix|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/east-fife-4-albion-rovers-959204|publisher=Daily Record|last=Brown|first=Anthony|date=8 October 2007|access-date=25 August 2019}} He scored on his debut as a substitute in a 4–0 win against Albion Rovers. Linn signed permanently for East Fife on 2 January 2008.{{cite web|title=McGuffie arrives as Linn departs|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/morton/7168524.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 January 2008|access-date=25 August 2019}}
Ahead of the 2012–13 season, Linn dropped down to the Junior Leagues signing for Ballingry Rovers.{{cite web|title=Rovers have eyes on Super League already|url=https://www.centralfifetimes.com/sport/13547525.rovers-have-eyes-on-super-league-already/|publisher=Central Fife Times & Advertiser|date=25 July 2012|access-date=25 August 2019}}
In June 2013, Arbroath manager Paul Sheerin signed Linn on a one-year contract and he was rewarded for his early season form with a new two-year deal halfway through the 2013–14 season.{{cite web|title=ARBROATH EXTEND LINN STAY AND BRING IN WOOD|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/arbroath-extend-linn-stay-and-bring-in-wood|publisher=Scottish Professional Football League|date=24 January 2014|access-date=25 August 2019}} Linn was named SPFL Player of the Year and PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year in Scottish League One for the 2018–2019 season after scoring 23 goals, helping Arbroath clinch the League One title.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48171966|title=Strikers dominate lower league awards|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 May 2019|access-date=20 May 2019}}{{cite web|title=Arbroath striker and gaffer win Ladbrokes player and manager of the year awards|url=https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/arbroath-striker-and-gaffer-win-ladbrokes-player-and-manager-of-the-year-awards/|publisher=Evening Telegraph|last=Rae|first=Steven|date=17 May 2019|access-date=25 August 2019}} After a decade-long stint with the Lichties which included a close fight for the 2021–22 Scottish Championship title, Linn announced he would leave following the end of his contract in June 2023, and would be named by Arbroath as a "once in a lifetime iconic legend" for the club.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-17 |title=Bobby Linn – Thank you! |url=https://www.arbroathfc.co.uk/bobby-linn-thank-you/ |access-date=2023-06-25 |website=Arbroath FC |language=en}}
= Lochee United =
On 25 June 2023, Linn joined Midlands League club Lochee United on a two-year deal.{{Cite web |title=Lochee United JFC on Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/Official.Lochee/posts/pfbid0kbwBvEk59gAQugPhYg95E7hpqLFrgs4cvZFzMXeoGazeyWhaEz61ZXnDNMWjSjxgl |access-date=2023-06-25 |website=www.facebook.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Ewan |date=2023-06-25 |title=Bobby Linn 'coming home' with Lochee United move as Arbroath legend couldn't 'cross Angus divide' |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/4507240/arbroath-bobby-linn-comes-home-to-lochee-united/ |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=The Courier |language=en-GB}}
Personal life
Linn works as a refuse collector.{{Cite news|url=https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/arbroath-boss-dick-campbell-dedicates-league-one-success-to-pal-john-ritchie/|title=Arbroath boss Dick Campbell dedicates League One success to pal John Ritchie|work=Evening Telegraph|access-date=13 September 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}
In 2004, Linn was sacked by his club, Dundee F.C., due to repeated off-field behavioural and attitude problems. Dundee F.C. manager, Jim Duffy stated, "I know we are short in terms of squad numbers, but if a player makes it clear he doesn't want to be part of the club then it is best we let him go" {{cite web | url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12416166.linn-shown-the-door-by-dundee-after-duffy-loses-his-patience/ | title=Linn shown the door by Dundee after Duffy loses his patience | date=23 September 2004 }}
Rumours about Linn's off-field activities circulated throughout his career, with many clubs put-off the idea of signing the Arbroath F.C. legend due to his perceived unreliability and fondness for socialising.
In 2022, Linn was discovered to have made a bogus compensation claim in an attempt to dishonestly profit from a traffic incident. After a minor car crash, Linn claimed to have suffered from whiplash and soft tissue injuries to his neck with the pain and restrictions having lasted for a month. In his claim, his occupation as a binman was recorded, but in every document produced Linn omitted to mention that he was also a footballer and had continued to play without restriction. He was forced to drop his claim after a specialist investigations team found extensive social media footage and press reporting of the 36-year-old playing for the then Scottish League One leaders, Arbroath. If he had continued with his deception, it would have forced Linn to perjure himself in a courtroom. Steven Smart, Partner at Horwich Farrelly, added: "In the English and Welsh courts, such behaviour is called fundamental dishonesty and the claim would have been dismissed at an early stage.{{Cite web |last1=Ward |first1=Sarah |last2=Carroll |first2=Ryan |date=2022-04-06 |title=Scots footballer scored hat-trick hours after claiming to have suffered whiplash |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-footballer-scored-hat-trick-26650238 |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Daily Record |language=en}}
Career statistics
{{updated|5 May 2023}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
;Greenock Morton
;East Fife
;Arbroath
Individual
- Scottish Football League Young Player of the Month: October 2005{{cite web|title=BELL'S MONTHLY AWARDS FOR OCTOBER, 2005|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/awards-announced-2005-11-10|publisher=Scottish Professional Football League|date=10 November 2005|access-date=25 August 2019}}
- Scottish Football League Player of the Month: September 2006
- Scottish League Two Player of the Month: September 2015{{cite web|title=LINN NAMED LEAGUE 2 PLAYER OF MONTH|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/linn-voted-league-2-player-of-month|publisher=Scottish Professional Football League|date=16 October 2015|access-date=25 August 2019}}
- Scottish League One Player of the Month: September 2018{{cite web|title=LEAGUE 1 AWARD FOR LINN|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/league-1-award-for-linn|publisher=Scottish Professional Football League|date=4 October 2018|access-date=25 August 2019}}
- SPFL Scottish League One Player of the Year: 2018–19
- PFA Scotland Scottish League Two Players' Player of the Year: 2014–15{{cite web|title=Arbroath striker Bobby Linn wins League 2 Player of the Year award|url=https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/2015/05/03/arbroath-striker-bobby-linn-wins-league-2-player-of-the-year-award/|publisher=Evening Telegraph|date=3 May 2015|access-date=25 August 2019}}
- PFA Scotland Scottish League One Players' Player of the Year: 2018–19
- PFA Scotland Scottish League Two Team of the Year: 2014–15,{{cite web|title=PFA SCOTLAND TEAMS OF THE YEAR|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/pfa-scotland-teams-of-the-year|publisher=Scottish Professional Football League|date=1 May 2015|access-date=25 August 2019}} 2015–16,{{cite web|title=PFA SCOTLAND TEAMS OF THE YEAR|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/pfa-scotland-teams-of-the-year-15|publisher=Scottish Professional Football League|date=29 April 2016|access-date=25 August 2019}} 2016–17{{cite web|title=PFA SCOTLAND TEAMS OF THE YEAR|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/pfa-scotland-teams-of-the-year-83|publisher=Scottish Professional Football League|date=5 May 2017|access-date=25 August 2019}}
- PFA Scotland Scottish League One Team of the Year: 2018–19{{cite web|title=PFA Scotland Awards|date=9 May 2019 |url=https://www.arbroathfc.co.uk/pfa-scotland-awards/|publisher=Arbroath F.C.|access-date=25 August 2019}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{2014–15 PFA Scotland Scottish League Two Team of the Year}}
{{2015–16 PFA Scotland Scottish League Two Team of the Year}}
{{2016–17 PFA Scotland Scottish League Two Team of the Year}}
{{2018–19 PFA Scotland Scottish League One Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Linn, Bobby}}
Category:Footballers from Dundee
Category:Scottish men's footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Peterhead F.C. players
Category:Greenock Morton F.C. players
Category:East Fife F.C. players
Category:Ballingry Rovers F.C. players
Category:Arbroath F.C. players
Category:Scottish Premier League players
Category:Scottish Football League players
Category:Scottish Junior Football Association players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players