Dobbo is back with the Clarets

Last updated : 11 August 2008 By Tony Scholes
Martin Dobson
Dobbo initially arrived at Turf Moor in 1968 having been released by Bolton, then in a lower division to the Clarets, and he was to become a crowd favourite in two different spells with the club.

As captain he led us to the second division title in the 1972/73 season under manager Jimmy Adamson but not much over a year later he was sold to Everton. Harry Potts, who had signed him from Bolton, brought him back to Turf Moor in the summer of 1979 and after suffering a relegation in his first season he was captain again in 1981/82 when the third division title was lifted.

In that season he played as a sweeper behind a teenage back four of Brian Laws, Vince Overson, Micky Phelan and Andy Wharton and he now returns to the Clarets to work with Vince in youth development. His main role will be to oversee the recruitment of young players.

Dobbo said: "I am absolutely overjoyed to be back at Burnley. I think everyone knows what my feelings for this club are and I consider it a great honour and a big challenge to bring in exciting, young players, both from other clubs and through an already impressive scouting network.

"I have vast experience and a strong belief in how the game should be played, a belief that I am delighted to say Owen Coyle shares. You don't get the finished article with youth, or even at 14,15, or 16 years of age, but I think you can still see players' attitudes to the game and how they handle disappointment.

"If we can identify the right type of player, then I feel we can only help take the club to the next level."

Chief Executive, and another former team mate of Dobbo, Paul Fletcher added: "Martin will look at all age groups of youngsters, from five through to mid-teens. Now that we are building up links with America, Northern Ireland and other countries it will be his role to uncover the players of tomorrow.

"Although we have dedicated full time staff in there and a wide network of scouts, we believe Martin's expertise will be invaluable. The approach to youth development in the modern era is far different than it was perhaps 25 years ago when in many ways Burnley was a role model.

"The club is reacting to that and while we are making a £2.5 million investment in our Gawthorpe training facility, we also need a model for the future."

Dobbo will start in his new role at the beginning of September with Head of Youth Development Vince Overson and youth team coach Terry Pashley reporting to him.