Dobbie and O'Conner head for heroes exit

May 1 2009 by Kieran Westbrook, Dumfries Standard Friday

queens

QUEENS looks set to lose their prolific frontline as both Stephen Dobbie and Sean O’Connor head for the Palmerston exit door.

Injury-plagued O’Connor has decided to hang up his boots come the end of the season as his knee problem has become unbearable.

And the club’s top goal scorer Dobbie also looks to be playing his last match at Palmerston this weekend, with his contract running out and several teams showing interest in snapping him up on a free transfer.

Dobbie said: “There’s been a lot of interest in me recently and it’s always nice to hear of teams interested at a higher level.

“I’ve spoken to the gaffer and I just want to concentrate on finishing this season.”

He was offered a new contract by Queens in October and earlier this year, but has decided to keep his options open.

Representatives from numerous clubs saw him score four goals in Queens 7-1 trouncing of Clyde, including Scottish Premier League and English-based sides.

Dobbie is currently the Scottish First Division’s top goal scorer with 24 goals – leading the table by eight goals.

Meanwhile, he told the Standard that the news of O’Connor’s enforced retirement was a “big blow” to the club.

He said: “Since I came to the club, it’s been the two of us up top. Losing Sean is a big blow to the fans and the whole club.”

With his side looking likely to lose his prolific front two, Queens boss Gordon Chisholm spoke of his sadness at O’Connor’s premature departure from the game and his desire to keep Dobbie.

Chisholm said: “I’ve nothing but admiration for big Sean.

“I asked him to hang in at Christmas and then again for him to stay until the summer. But the pain is getting too much for him.

“I appreciate everything he’s done for the club and it’s really tragic that he’s having to retire from the game at on 27 years of age.

“I really feel for him – he deserves a lot of recognition for what he’s done.

Chisholm also added that he hopes that Sean will be able to feature in the remaining two matches of the season.

Speaking about Dobbie’s future at Palmerston, Chisholm said: “Stephen’s had a number of offers and he’s got a number of good options.

“We’d like to keep him and have been trying hard. He knows how much he’s liked here by the staff, and the fans love him, so he knows what he’s got here.”

Throughout the season, Chisholm has described O’Connor as the best front man in the league.