Craig Dobson
Encyclopedia
Craig Gregory Dobson is a footballer who plays for Kettering Town
as a midfielder
. He is also a noted football freestyler
, having appeared in the DVD Urban Freestyler
.
A former Crystal Palace
youngster, he moved on to Cheltenham Town
in 2003 and Barnet in 2004. He spent 2005–06 with Cambridge City
, before spending two seasons with Stevenage Borough
. Since then he has had spells with Milton Keynes Dons
and Brentford
. Dobson joined Conference National club Mansfield Town in October 2009, before signing for Kettering Town on loan in November.
, 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
.
With Conference
club Barnet
for the start of the 2004–05
season, making four appearances. He was released in October 2004, after his month long contract expired.
He spent 2005–06
with Conference South
side Cambridge City
. He scored nine goals in some forty appearances. At the end of the season he had a trial with Gillingham
.
Dobson signed with Conference outfit Stevenage Borough
for a four-figure fee before the start of the 2006–07
season, 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. Dobson scored a further three goals that season, including a 74th minute goal in the 2007
FA Trophy
final with Kidderminster Harriers
at Wembley
. 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. This brought him the attention of League Two
side Milton Keynes Dons
, Paul Ince
quickly brought him to stadium:mk for an undisclosed fee. 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. He signed for Brentford
in March 2009 on a two-month contract, but was released at the end of the season without playing a game, as Brentford were promoted
to League One
.
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
. In late September 2009, he was taken on trial at Port Vale
by Micky Adams
. He signed a three month contract with Mansfield Town
in October 2009, following a successful trial. In November 2009, Dobson joined Kettering Town
on loan until 4 January 2010, when his contract with Mansfield expires.
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
. Dobson signed for Conference South
club Thurrock
in October 2010, making his debut in the 1–0 away defeat to Braintree Town
. In November 2010, he joined League Two
club Barnet
on dual registration. 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 he rejoined Kettering Town for the 2011–12 season
.
in a friendly with the Republic of Ireland
in 2004. However The Guardian
reported that he was an unused substitute.
with Stevenage Borough
with Milton Keynes Dons
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
. He is also a noted football freestyler
Freestyle Football
Freestyle football, also known as freestyle soccer in North America, is the art of expressing yourself with a football, while performing various tricks with any part of the body...
, having appeared in the DVD Urban Freestyler
Urban freestyler
Urban Freestyler is a UK based urban sport brand, TV channel and media/events company formed in 2005. Urban Freestyler centres around Freestyle Football and in 2006 pushed the boundaries of urban sport by encompassing activities such as Tennis, Golf, Mountain Boarding and Motorcycle Trials.- Urban...
.
A former Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
youngster, he moved on to Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
in 2003 and Barnet in 2004. He spent 2005–06 with Cambridge City
Cambridge City F.C.
Cambridge City Football Club is an English football club currently playing in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:The club was founded in 1908 Cambridge Town F.C., as Cambridge had not been granted city status at that point, and were committed to amateur sport...
, before spending two seasons with Stevenage Borough
Stevenage Borough F.C.
Stevenage Football Club is an English football club based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The club currently participate in League One, the third tier of English football, having won promotion from League Two in the 2010–11 season...
. Since then he has had spells with Milton Keynes Dons
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
and Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
. Dobson joined Conference National club Mansfield Town in October 2009, before signing for Kettering Town on loan in November.
Club career
Dobson started his career with Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
, but having failed to make a first team appearance for the Eagles, he joined Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
in the summer of 2003. He made his debut on 27 September, coming on as an 80th minute substitute for Bertie Cozic
Bertie Cozic
Bertrand Edern "Bertie" Cozic is a French former footballer who last played for Exeter City as a midfielder.-Career:Born in Quimper, Finistère, Cozic first came to England with Team Bath F.C., the football team of the University of Bath, in 2002...
in a 2–0 defeat at Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
' Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium (Bristol)
The Memorial Stadium, also commonly known by its previous name of The Memorial Ground, is a sports ground in Bristol, England, dedicated to the memory of the rugby union players of the city killed during World War I...
. He left the club after a couple of brief cameos in the league and Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
.
With Conference
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
club Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
for the start of the 2004–05
2004-05 in English football
The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
season, making four appearances. He was released in October 2004, after his month long contract expired.
He spent 2005–06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
with Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
side Cambridge City
Cambridge City F.C.
Cambridge City Football Club is an English football club currently playing in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:The club was founded in 1908 Cambridge Town F.C., as Cambridge had not been granted city status at that point, and were committed to amateur sport...
. He scored nine goals in some forty appearances. At the end of the season he had a trial with Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
.
Dobson signed with Conference outfit Stevenage Borough
Stevenage Borough F.C.
Stevenage Football Club is an English football club based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The club currently participate in League One, the third tier of English football, having won promotion from League Two in the 2010–11 season...
for a four-figure fee before the start of the 2006–07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
season, he quickly established himself at Broadhall Way
Broadhall Way
Broadhall Way, known as The Lamex Stadium for sponsorship purposes, is an association football stadium in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. It has been the home ground of Stevenage since 1980, and has a capacity of 7,100 people, including 3,142 seats.-History:The club plays at Broadhall Way, previously...
, making 38 appearances in his maiden season. He scored a brace against Stafford Rangers
Stafford Rangers F.C.
Stafford Rangers Football Club is a semi-professional English football team from Stafford which plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.The team wear black and white stripes with black shorts...
on 9 September, George Boyd
George Boyd (footballer)
George Ian Boyd is a footballer who plays for Peterborough United as a winger.Boyd started his career in the Charlton Athletic youth system, joining Stevenage Borough of the Conference National in 2001 and making his first-team debut in 2002. Boyd spent five seasons at Stevenage, scoring over...
also netting a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
in a 6–0 win. Dobson scored a further three goals that season, including a 74th minute goal in the 2007
2006–07 FA Trophy
The FA Trophy 2006–07 was the 37th season of the FA's cup competition for teams at levels 5-8 of the English football league system. 246 teams were entered for the competition.-First round:...
FA Trophy
FA Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
final with Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
. Borough won the game 3–2 to lift the trophy.
Dobson was more clinical in front of goal during the 2007–08
Stevenage Borough F.C. season 2007–08
The 2007–08 season was Stevenage Borough F.C.s 14th season in the Conference National. This article shows statistics of the club's players in the season, and also lists all matches that the club will play in the season. Their 8th place finish in the 2006–07 season meant it was their fourteenth...
campaign, netting ten times in 30 games. He was transfer listed in January after refusing to sign a new deal. This brought him the attention of League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Milton Keynes Dons
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
, Paul Ince
Paul Ince
Paul Emerson Carlyle Ince is an English football manager and a former professional player. He has managed Blackburn Rovers, Milton Keynes Dons and Macclesfield Town...
quickly brought him to stadium:mk for an undisclosed fee. He made his Dons debut in a 1–1 home draw with Morecambe
Morecambe F.C.
Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. It plays its football in League Two, the fourth division of English football, having been promoted in 2007 for the first time in their history to the Football League. They played their home matches at Christie Park...
on 3 May, though was taken off in favour of Lloyd Dyer
Lloyd Dyer
Lloyd Richard Dyer is an English footballer currently playing for Championship side Leicester City.-West Bromwich Albion:...
at half time.
He made just the one appearance in 2008–09, playing the 2–1 defeat at Ninian Park
Ninian Park
Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship...
to Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
Second Round. He spent December on loan at Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
, 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. He signed for Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
in March 2009 on a two-month contract, but was released at the end of the season without playing a game, as Brentford were promoted
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
to League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
.
He went on trial with Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
for the 2009–10 pre-season and played in their friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
matches against Bridgnorth Town
Bridgnorth Town F.C.
Bridgnorth Town F.C. are a football club based in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, England. They joined the Worcestershire Combination in 1938 and have twice reached the 5th round of the FA Vase...
and West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
. In late September 2009, he was taken on trial at Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
by Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
. He signed a three month contract with Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
in October 2009, following a successful trial. In November 2009, Dobson joined Kettering Town
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
on loan until 4 January 2010, when his contract with Mansfield expires.
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
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
, playing the first-half in a 2–0 win against Cray Wanderers
Cray Wanderers F.C.
Cray Wanderers F.C. is an English semi-professional football club based in Bromley, London. It is one of the oldest football clubs in the world. The club was established in 1860 in the twin villages of St. Mary Cray and St Paul's Cray, near Orpington, then in the county of Kent.They currently play...
. Dobson signed for Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
club Thurrock
Thurrock F.C.
Thurrock F.C. are an English football club based in Aveley, Thurrock, Essex. Known as Purfleet until 2003, the club are currently members of the Conference South and play at Ship Lane.-History:...
in October 2010, making his debut in the 1–0 away defeat to Braintree Town
Braintree Town F.C.
Braintree Town F.C. is an English football club based in Braintree, Essex. The club are currently members of the Conference National and play their home matches at Cressing Road.-History:...
. In November 2010, he joined League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
club Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
on dual registration. He was released by Barnet and Thurrock in February 2011, shortly before joining Braintree Town
Braintree Town F.C.
Braintree Town F.C. is an English football club based in Braintree, Essex. The club are currently members of the Conference National and play their home matches at Cressing Road.-History:...
, before transferring to Woking
Woking F.C.
Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the...
later in that same month.
In July he rejoined Kettering Town for the 2011–12 season
2011–12 Football Conference
The 2011–12 Football Conference season will be the eighth season with the Conference consisting of three divisions and the thirty-third season overall. The Conference covers the top two levels of Non-League football in England. The Conference National is the fifth highest level of the overall...
.
International career
Dobson is reported to have made a late appearance as a substitute for JamaicaJamaica national football team
The Jamaica national football team is the national team of Jamaica and is controlled by the Jamaica Football Federation. After decades in CONCACAF obscurity, they gained many fans throughout the world after they qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup...
in a friendly with the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
in 2004. However The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
reported that he was an unused substitute.
International caps
- Scores and results list Jamaica's goal tally first. The "Caps" figures are in bold for games in which he scored
Caps Date Venue Opponent Result Competition Scored Location Cards 01 (00) 2004-06-02 The Valley, London LondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
0–1 Friendly Exhibition gameAn exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
0 
Honours
with Barnet- Conference NationalConference NationalConference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
champion: 2004–05
with Stevenage Borough
- FA TrophyFA TrophyThe Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
winner: 20072006–07 FA TrophyThe FA Trophy 2006–07 was the 37th season of the FA's cup competition for teams at levels 5-8 of the English football league system. 246 teams were entered for the competition.-First round:...
with Milton Keynes Dons
- Football League TwoFootball League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
champion: 2007–08