Craig Dobson

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Craig Dobson

| image = Craig Dobson, Woking FC footballer, February 2011.jpg

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|01|23|df=y}}

| birth_place = Chingford, England

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=6}}

| position = Midfielder

| youthyears1 = 2002–2003

| youthclubs1 = Crystal Palace

| years1 = 2003–2004

| years2 = 2004

| years3 = 2005–2006

| years4 = 2006–2008

| years5 = 2008–2009

| years6 = 2008

| years7 = 2009

| years8 = 2009–2010

| years9 = 2009

| years10 = 2010

| years11 = 2010

| years12 = 2010–2011

| years13 = 2010–2011

| years14 = 2011

| years15 = 2011

| years16 = 2011–2012

| clubs1 = Cheltenham Town

| clubs2 = Barnet

| clubs3 = Cambridge City

| clubs4 = Stevenage Borough

| clubs5 = Milton Keynes Dons

| clubs6 = → Wycombe Wanderers (loan)

| clubs7 = Brentford

| clubs8 = Mansfield Town

| clubs9 = → Kettering Town (loan)

| clubs10 = Farnborough

| clubs11 = Sutton United

| clubs12 = Thurrock

| clubs13 = → Barnet (dual registration)

| clubs14 = Braintree Town

| clubs15 = Woking

| clubs16 = Kettering Town

| caps1 = 2

| goals1 = 0

| caps2 = 3

| goals2 = 0

| caps3 = 40

| goals3 = 9

| caps4 = 62

| goals4 = 14

| caps5 = 1

| goals5 = 0

| caps6 = 0

| goals6 = 0

| caps7 = 0

| goals7 = 0

| caps8 = 5

| goals8 = 0

| caps9 = 1

| goals9 = 0

| caps10 = 4

| goals10 = 1

| caps11 = 5

| goals11 = 0

| caps12 = 4

| goals12 = 0

| caps13 = 1

| goals13 = 0

| caps14 = 3

| goals14 = 0

| caps15 = 18

| goals15 = 7

| caps16 = 1

| goals16 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2004

| nationalteam1 = Jamaica

| nationalcaps1 = 1

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| club-update = 18:38, 13 May 2012 (UTC)

| ntupdate =

| caption = Dobson while with Woking in 2011.

}}

Craig Dobson (born 23 January 1984) is a football midfielder, who is currently without a club. He is also a noted football freestyler, having appeared in the DVD Urban Freestyler.

Club career

Dobson started his career with Crystal Palace, but having failed to make a first team appearance for the "Eagles", he joined Cheltenham Town in the summer of 2003. He made his debut on 27 September, coming on as an 80th minute substitute for Bertie Cozic in a 2–0 defeat at Bristol Rovers' Memorial Stadium. He left the club after a couple of brief cameos in the league and Football League Trophy. In June 2004, Dobson made his international debut for Jamaica, coming on as an 85th-minute substitute for Marlon King in a 1-0 Unity Cup defeat to Republic of Ireland at The Valley.{{Cite web|url=http://www.11v11.com/matches/jamaica-v-republic-of-ireland-02-june-2004-253329/|title = Jamaica v Republic of Ireland, 02 June 2004}}

With Conference club Barnet for the start of the 2004–05 season,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/barnet/3637930.stm|title=Barnet swoop for duo|date=8 September 2004|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=2009-09-30}} making four appearances. He was released in October 2004, after his month-long contract expired.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/barnet/3736416.stm|title=Barnet release midfielder Dobson |date=12 October 2004|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=2009-09-30}}

He spent 2005–06 with Conference South side Cambridge City. He scored nine goals in 40 league appearances. At the end of the season he had a trial with Gillingham.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/5175858.stm|title=New Gills signings open account |date=13 July 2006|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=2009-09-30}}

Dobson signed with Conference outfit Stevenage Borough for a four-figure fee before the start of the 2006–07 season,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stevenage/5179130.stm|title=Stevenage sign Thorpe and Dobson |date=14 July 2006|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=2009-09-30}} he quickly established himself at Broadhall Way, making 38 appearances in his maiden season. He scored a brace against Stafford Rangers on 9 September, George Boyd also netting a hat-trick in a 6–0 win.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/5308118.stm|title=Stevenage 6-0 Stafford Rangers |date=9 September 2006|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=2009-09-30}} Dobson scored a further three goals that season, including a 74th-minute goal in the 2007 FA Trophy final with Kidderminster Harriers at Wembley.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6649807.stm|title=Kidderminster 2-3 Stevenage |last=Hughes|first=Ian|date=12 May 2007|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=2009-09-30}} Borough won the game 3–2 to lift the trophy.

Dobson was more clinical in front of goal during the 2007–08 campaign, netting ten times in 30 games. He was transfer listed in January after refusing to sign a new deal.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stevenage/7189026.stm|title=Stevenage trio on transfer list |date=15 January 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=2009-09-30}} This brought him the attention of League Two side Milton Keynes Dons, Paul Ince quickly brought him to stadium:mk for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wimbledon/7221384.stm|title=Ince snaps up Regan and Dobson |date=1 February 2008|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=2009-09-30}} He made his Dons debut in a 1–1 home draw with Morecambe on 3 May, though was taken off in favour of Lloyd Dyer at half time.

He made just the one appearance in 2008–09, playing the 2–1 defeat at Ninian Park to Cardiff City, in the League Cup Second Round. He spent December on loan at Wycombe Wanderers, but did not feature. Dobson had his contract terminated with MK Dons at the start of January 2009 by mutual consent, after suffering with groin and shin injuries during his year-long stay.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/milton_keynes_dons/7808662.stm|title=MK Dons midfielder Dobson departs |date=2 January 2009|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=2009-09-30}} He signed for Brentford in March 2009 on a two-month contract,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brentford/7962196.stm|title=Midfielder Dobson joins Brentford |date=24 March 2009|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=2009-09-30}} but was released at the end of the season without playing a game, as Brentford were promoted to League One.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brentford/8041751.stm|title=Scott praises departing players |date=9 May 2009|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=2009-09-30}}

He went on trial with Shrewsbury Town for the 2009–10 pre-season and played in their friendly matches against Bridgnorth Town and West Bromwich Albion.{{cite web|url=http://www.shrewsburytown.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10443~1730003,00.html|title=Winger on Trial|date=22 July 2009|work=shrewsburytown.com|accessdate=2009-09-29|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716065239/http://www.shrewsburytown.com/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10443~1730003%2C00.html|archivedate=16 July 2011}} In late September 2009, he was taken on trial at Port Vale by Micky Adams.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11750_5593150,00.html|title=Vale look at Dobson|date=29 September 2009|work=Sky Sports|accessdate=2009-09-29}} He signed a three-month contract with Mansfield Town in October 2009, following a successful trial.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/mansfield_town/8314910.stm|title=Dobson hopes Stags will help him|date=19 October 2009|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=2009-10-31}} In November 2009, Dobson joined Kettering Town on loan until 4 January 2010, when his contract with Mansfield expires.{{cite web|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=62623|title=Busy day for Harper|date=27 November 2009|work=Non-League Daily|accessdate=2009-11-27|url-status=usurped|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714192147/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=62623|archivedate=14 July 2011}}

In January 2010, Dobson joined Farnborough. After a handful of appearances he was released on 26 March 2010, and joined Sutton United. In July 2010, Dobson went on trial with League One side Leyton Orient, playing the first half in a 2–0 win against Cray Wanderers.{{cite web |url=http://www.leytonorient.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10439~2092477,00.html |title=O's Dust Off Cobwebs With Cray Victory - Full Report |date=14 July 2010 |work=Leyton Orient F.C. |accessdate=2010-07-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716233329/http://www.leytonorient.com/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10439~2092477%2C00.html |archivedate=16 July 2010}} Dobson signed for Conference South club Thurrock in October 2010,{{cite web|url=http://www.footballconference.co.uk/news/details.php?news_id=2940|title=New boss Lincoln Swoops for Two|date=15 October 2010|work=Football Conference|accessdate=2010-10-18|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303184355/http://www.footballconference.co.uk/news/details.php?news_id=2940|archivedate=3 March 2012}} making his debut in the 1–0 away defeat to Braintree Town.{{cite web|url=http://www.yourthurrock.com/2010/10/17/braintree-1-v-0-thurrock/|title=Braintree 1 v 0 Thurrock|date=17 October 2010|work=YourThurrock|first=Bill|last=Robinson|accessdate=2010-10-18}} In November 2010, he joined League Two club Barnet on dual registration.{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11750_6481572,00.html|title=Bees boss does Dobson deal|publisher=Sky Sports|date=1 November 2010|accessdate=1 November 2010}} He was released by Barnet and Thurrock in February 2011, shortly before joining Braintree Town, before transferring to Woking later in that same month.

In July 2011 Dobson rejoined Kettering Town for the 2011–12 season. He suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury on his first competitive appearance for the club, which led to his release from the club towards the end of the season.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ketteringtownfc.co.uk/story.php?story_id=1018 |title = KTFC::Kettering Town Football Club - the Poppies Official Site |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130721195823/http://www.ketteringtownfc.co.uk/story.php?story_id=1018 |archive-date=21 July 2013 |url-status=dead}}

After nearly two years out of football, Dobson was handed a trial at Concord Rangers in July 2013.{{Cite web|url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/10520440.Concord_Rangers_run_the_rule_over_comeback_hopeful_Craig_Dobson/|title = Concord Rangers run the rule over comeback hopeful Craig Dobson| date=2 July 2013 }}

International career

Dobson is reported to have made a late appearance as a substitute for Jamaica in a friendly with the Republic of Ireland in 2004. However The Guardian reported that he was an unused substitute.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/jun/03/newsstory.sport3|title=Barrett has Ireland back on track|last=Bodkin|first=John|date=3 June 2004|work=The Guardian|accessdate=2009-09-30}} He entered the field at 84 minutes as a replacement for Marlon King (eyewitness report).