Wikipedia

Bobby Linn

Robert Linn (born 10 October 1985) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a winger for Midlands League club Lochee United. Linn started his career with Dundee before signing for Peterhead. He then moved to Greenock Morton, from whom he joined East Fife, initially on loan. After spending a year in the Juniors with Ballingry Rovers, Linn signed for Arbroath in June 2013, and would spend a decade with the club which would include a rise from 9th in the Scottish League Two to coming 2nd in the Scottish Championship.

Bobby Linn
Personal information
Full name Robert Linn
Date of birth (1985-10-10) 10 October 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth Dundee, Scotland
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
 Lochee United
Youth career
Dundee
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 Dundee 13 (0)
2004–2007 Peterhead 83 (28)
2007–2008 Greenock Morton 19 (2)
2007 → East Fife (loan) 10 (3)
2008–2012 East Fife 155 (35)
2012–2013 Ballingry Rovers
2013–2023 Arbroath 301 (73)
2023– Lochee United 1 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:03, 25 June 2023 (UTC)

Career

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Linn began his career with Dundee, making his debut as a substitute for Fabián Caballero in a 1–0 win against Partick Thistle in the Scottish Premier League on 18 October 2003,[1][2] with his first goal coming on 3 December 2003, the winning goal in extra-time in a 1–0 win against Hearts in the Scottish League Cup.[3] On 22 September 2004, Linn left Dundee after having his contract terminated by mutual consent with the club growing increasingly frustrated with Linn's behaviour and attitude problems. He had previously been banished from the first team squad for two months due to repeatedly missing training, however, this banishement failed to serve its purpose and Linn's off-field antics continued, eventually leading to termination of his contract and consigning Linn to a career in the lower leagues.[4]

Linn then signed for Peterhead of the Scottish Third Division in October 2004.[5] In Peterhead's match against Stranraer on 15 September 2006, he scored four goals in a 5–2 victory,[6] and went on to win the Scottish Football League Player of the Month award for September.[7]

On 6 January 2007, Linn signed for Greenock Morton on a two-and-a-half-year contract.[8] He made his debut from the bench, at home to Alloa Athletic on 13 January 2007.[9]

In October 2007, having not featured regularly for Morton in the early matches of the season, Linn was loaned to East Fife for the remainder of the season,[10] although it was then discovered that the rules only allowed the loan to last for three months.[11] He scored on his debut as a substitute in a 4–0 win against Albion Rovers.[11] Linn signed permanently for East Fife on 2 January 2008.[12]

Ahead of the 2012–13 season, Linn dropped down to the Junior Leagues signing for Ballingry Rovers.[13]

In June 2013, Arbroath manager Paul Sheerin signed Linn on a one-year contract and he was rewarded for his early season form with a new two-year deal halfway through the 2013–14 season.[14] Linn was named SPFL Player of the Year and PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year in Scottish League One for the 2018–2019 season after scoring 23 goals, helping Arbroath clinch the League One title.[15][16] After a decade-long stint with the Lichties which included a close fight for the 2021–22 Scottish Championship title, Linn announced he would leave following the end of his contract in June 2023, and would be named by Arbroath as a "once in a lifetime iconic legend" for the club.[17]

Lochee United

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On 25 June 2023, Linn joined Midlands League club Lochee United on a two-year deal.[18][19]

Personal life

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Linn works as a refuse collector.[20]

In 2004, Linn was sacked by his club, Dundee F.C., due to repeated off-field behavioural and attitude problems. Dundee F.C. manager, Jim Duffy stated, "I know we are short in terms of squad numbers, but if a player makes it clear he doesn't want to be part of the club then it is best we let him go" [21]

Rumours about Linn's off-field activities circulated throughout his career, with many clubs put-off the idea of signing the Arbroath F.C. legend due to his perceived unreliability and fondness for socialising.

In 2022, Linn was discovered to have made a bogus compensation claim in an attempt to dishonestly profit from a traffic incident. After a minor car crash, Linn claimed to have suffered from whiplash and soft tissue injuries to his neck with the pain and restrictions having lasted for a month. In his claim, his occupation as a binman was recorded, but in every document produced Linn omitted to mention that he was also a footballer and had continued to play without restriction. He was forced to drop his claim after a specialist investigations team found extensive social media footage and press reporting of the 36-year-old playing for the then Scottish League One leaders, Arbroath. If he had continued with his deception, it would have forced Linn to perjure himself in a courtroom. Steven Smart, Partner at Horwich Farrelly, added: "In the English and Welsh courts, such behaviour is called fundamental dishonesty and the claim would have been dismissed at an early stage.[22]

Career statistics

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As of 5 May 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Scottish Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Dundee 2003–04[23] Scottish Premier League 13 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 16 1
2004–05[24] Scottish Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 13 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 16 1
Peterhead 2004–05[24][25] Scottish Third Division 27 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 28 6
2005–06[26] Scottish Second Division 36 12 2 1 2 1 5[a] 0 45 14
2006–07[27][28][29] Scottish Second Division 20 10 1 0 2 1 1[b] 0 24 11
Total 83 28 4 1 4 2 6 0 97 31
Greenock Morton 2006–07[27] Scottish Second Division 16 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 2
2007–08[30][31] Scottish First Division 3 0 0 0 0 0 4[b] 1 7 1
Total 19 2 0 0 0 0 4 1 23 3
East Fife (loan) 2007–08[30][32] Scottish Third Division 10 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 13 3
East Fife 2007–08[30] Scottish Third Division 18 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 3
2008–09[33][34] Scottish Second Division 34 6 3 1 0 0 1[b] 0 38 7
2009–10[35][36] Scottish Second Division 33 6 1 0 1 1 1[b] 0 36 7
2010–11[37][36] Scottish Second Division 35 13 2 0 1 1 3[b] 1 41 15
2011–12[38][36] Scottish Second Division 35 7 2 1 4 1 3[b] 1 44 10
Total 155 35 8 2 6 3 8 2 177 42
Arbroath 2013–14[39] Scottish League One 36 6 1 0 1 0 1[b] 1 39 7
2014–15[40] Scottish League Two 36 13 5 0 1 0 3[c] 0 45 13
2015–16[41] Scottish League Two 33 11 3 2 1 0 1[b] 0 38 13
2016–17[42] Scottish League Two 36 5 2 1 4 0 2[b] 0 44 6
2017–18[43] Scottish League One 30 6 2 0 3 0 3[d] 1 38 7
2018–19[44] Scottish League One 32 21 1 0 2 1 3[b] 1 38 23
2019–20[45] Scottish Championship 23 6 3 1 4 1 2[b] 0 32 8
2020–21[46] Scottish Championship 19 1 1 0 5 0 0 0 25 1
2021–22[47] Scottish Championship 23 1 2 0 5 0 1[e] 0 31 1
2022–23[48] Scottish Championship 33 3 2 2 5 2 2[b] 0 42 7
Total 301 73 22 6 31 4 18 3 372 86
Career total 581 141 38 9 43 10 36 6 698 166
  1. ^ One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup and four appearances in the Scottish First Division play-offs
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
  3. ^ One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup and two appearances in the Scottish League One play-offs
  4. ^ One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup and two appearances and one goal in the Scottish Championship play-offs
  5. ^ One appearance in the Scottish Premiership play-offs

Honours

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Greenock Morton
East Fife
Arbroath

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Dundee edge out Thistle". BBC Sport. 18 October 2003. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  2. ^ "Linn contract terminated". Dundee F.C. 22 September 2004. Archived from the original on 23 September 2004. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  3. ^ "Dundee edge out Hearts". BBC Sport. 3 December 2003. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  4. ^ "Dundee let Linn go". BBC Sport. 22 September 2004. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  5. ^ "Busy day in transfer market". BBC Sport. 16 October 2004. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Peterhead 5–2 Stranraer". BBC Sport. 15 September 2006. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  7. ^ a b "Linn named player of the month". BBC Sport. 12 October 2006. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  8. ^ "Morton capture Linn and Mathers". BBC Sport. 6 January 2007. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  9. ^ "Morton 2–1 Alloa Athletic". BBC Sport. 13 January 2007. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  10. ^ "Linn makes loan move to Methil". BBC Sport. 6 October 2007. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  11. ^ a b Brown, Anthony (8 October 2007). "East Fife 4 Albion Rovers 0: Linn The Mix". Daily Record. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  12. ^ "McGuffie arrives as Linn departs". BBC Sport. 2 January 2008. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  13. ^ "Rovers have eyes on Super League already". Central Fife Times & Advertiser. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  14. ^ "ARBROATH EXTEND LINN STAY AND BRING IN WOOD". Scottish Professional Football League. 24 January 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  15. ^ a b "Strikers dominate lower league awards". BBC Sport. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  16. ^ a b Rae, Steven (17 May 2019). "Arbroath striker and gaffer win Ladbrokes player and manager of the year awards". Evening Telegraph. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  17. ^ "Bobby Linn – Thank you!". Arbroath FC. 17 May 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  18. ^ "Lochee United JFC on Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  19. ^ Smith, Ewan (25 June 2023). "Bobby Linn 'coming home' with Lochee United move as Arbroath legend couldn't 'cross Angus divide'". The Courier. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  20. ^ "Arbroath boss Dick Campbell dedicates League One success to pal John Ritchie". Evening Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  21. ^ "Linn shown the door by Dundee after Duffy loses his patience". 23 September 2004.
  22. ^ Ward, Sarah; Carroll, Ryan (6 April 2022). "Scots footballer scored hat-trick hours after claiming to have suffered whiplash". Daily Record. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  23. ^ "Games played by Bobby Linn in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  24. ^ a b "Games played by Bobby Linn in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  25. ^ "Huntly 3–1 Peterhead". BBC Sport. 27 November 2004. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  26. ^ "Games played by Bobby Linn in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  27. ^ a b c "Games played by Bobby Linn in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  28. ^ "Alloa Athletic 1–1 Peterhead". BBC Sport. 12 August 2006. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  29. ^ "Montrose 2–0 Peterhead". BBC Sport. 16 August 2006. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  30. ^ a b c d "Games played by Bobby Linn in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  31. ^ "East Stirlingshire 0–4 Morton". BBC Sport. 18 September 2007. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  32. ^ "Inverurie Loco 0 East Fife 2". Sky Sports. 27 October 2007. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  33. ^ "Games played by Bobby Linn in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  34. ^ "Brechin City 0–1 East Fife". BBC Sport. 26 July 2008. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  35. ^ "Games played by Bobby Linn in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  36. ^ a b c Bobby Linn at Soccerway. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  37. ^ "Games played by Bobby Linn in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  38. ^ "Games played by Bobby Linn in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  39. ^ "Games played by Bobby Linn in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  40. ^ "Games played by Bobby Linn in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  41. ^ "Games played by Bobby Linn in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  42. ^ a b "Games played by Bobby Linn in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  43. ^ "Games played by Bobby Linn in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  44. ^ a b "Games played by Bobby Linn in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  45. ^ "Games played by Bobby Linn in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  46. ^ "Games played by Bobby Linn in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  47. ^ "Games played by Bobby Linn in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  48. ^ "Games played by Bobby Linn in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  49. ^ Greenock Morton F.C. at the Football Club History Database
  50. ^ East Fife F.C. at the Football Club History Database
  51. ^ a b Arbroath F.C. at the Football Club History Database
  52. ^ "BELL'S MONTHLY AWARDS FOR OCTOBER, 2005". Scottish Professional Football League. 10 November 2005. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  53. ^ "LINN NAMED LEAGUE 2 PLAYER OF MONTH". Scottish Professional Football League. 16 October 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  54. ^ "LEAGUE 1 AWARD FOR LINN". Scottish Professional Football League. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  55. ^ "Arbroath striker Bobby Linn wins League 2 Player of the Year award". Evening Telegraph. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  56. ^ "PFA SCOTLAND TEAMS OF THE YEAR". Scottish Professional Football League. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  57. ^ "PFA SCOTLAND TEAMS OF THE YEAR". Scottish Professional Football League. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  58. ^ "PFA SCOTLAND TEAMS OF THE YEAR". Scottish Professional Football League. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  59. ^ "PFA Scotland Awards". Arbroath F.C. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
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