Dobbin’s delight as former clubs share limelight

For most of the seven years from 1984 that the Scot spent at first Belle Vue and then Oakwell, Wednesday were in the top-flight and slugging it out with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United on a weekly basis.

Then, even when the Owls were relegated in 1990, Sheffield still maintained a representative at football’s top table with the Blades winning promotion just as their big rivals headed in the opposite direction.

It meant that the likes of Rovers and the Tykes inevitably had to live in the shadow of their big city brethren, something Dobbin accepted.

Now, however, it is the turn of his two former clubs to bask in the spotlight as the two Sheffield clubs prepare to go head-to-head in the third tier of English football for the first time since 1980.

“It does feel really strange,” admits the 47-year-old, whose career also included spells with Rotherham United and Scarborough plus a second stint at Belle Vue in the disastrous season that saw Rovers relegated from the Football League.

“I had 10 years in what is now the Championship (with Barnsley and then Grimsby Town) plus a couple of years at Doncaster in the third tier, and throughout that time either Sheffield Wednesday and United were in the top-flight.

“And the other one was in the Second Division. But now, following Sheffield United’s relegation, both of them are in League One and that is an unbelievable state of affairs.

“In a way, it will be nice for both Barnsley and Doncaster to have a bit of the limelight for once. Of course, the two Sheffield clubs will still attract the bigger crowds – especially if they can start the season well.

“But, even so, there will be a lot of big clubs such as West Ham, Birmingham and Leeds coming to Oakwell and the Keepmoat rather than Hillsborough or Bramall Lane. That is a feather in the cap of both clubs.”

Dobbin was persuaded to move south from Glasgow Celtic to Doncaster by then Rovers manager Billy Bremner in 1984. He went on to make 64 league appearances and help Rovers win promotion to the old Division Two before being transferred to Barnsley in 1986.

The Scot, who still lives in Doncaster, spent five years at Oakwell as the Tykes became a permanent fixture in the second tier so it is understandable that he should want both of his former clubs to do well this season.

He said: “The Championship is going to be very tough this season, certainly tougher than last time with a lot of money being spent and the three who came down from the Premier League fancying their chances of going straight back up.

“Plus, the teams promoted from League One will be looking to make an impact – particularly Southampton and Brighton. It will be tough but I really hope Barnsley and Doncaster can have good seasons.”

Rovers finished last term in 21st place on 48 points, a tally that in most years would have condemned the club to relegation.

Only the poor form of Sheffield United, Preston and Scunthorpe, who all amassed 42 points, saved Doncaster’s blushes, though there were mitigating circumstances with Sean O’Driscoll’s side being ravaged by injury for long spells.

Barnsley stayed up much more comfortably with 56 points, only for Mark Robins to leave at the start of the summer.

Dobbin said: “I was surprised when Mark left, and they will miss Marlon Harewood and Jason Shackell. But, hopefully, the new manager will do well.

“As for Doncaster, I do enjoy watching them play. I know last season wasn’t the best but keeping hold of Billy Sharp sent out the right message as they will need his goals more than ever.

“I expect Doncaster to finish comfortably safe, while Barnsley should be okay providing the new signings, many of whom are from the lower divisions, work out.”