Queen of the South legend Stephen Dobbie says testimonial was perfect Palmerston farewell

Stephen Dobbie said Sunday’s testimonial was the best way to bow out at Palmerston for the final time.

The club legend, who racked up 166 goals for the club to become their second best scorer, led a squad of club legends for his testimonial.

Dobbie’s QOS XI side took on a Scotland Legends side and the talismanic striker admitted it was an emotional day.

But it was important for him to leave with a better memory than playing his last game behind closed doors during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said: “I played my last game here during Covid, which wasn’t nice. The fans were outside the ground that day and made a guard of honour for when I drove into the ground.

“It was very emotional, it was a hard time for everyone, the fans who came out to see me coming. I obviously wanted to go out with the fans there but Sunday was a great turnout. It was even more emotional for me as I walked out with my sons as mascots and then came off in the last minute.”

He joked: “I’ve obviously retired but now I know that’s my last game, my body can’t do it anymore. It was a great turnout.”

More than 2,000 punters gathered at Palmerston to show their appreciation to arguably the greatest player to grace the club in the modern era.

To do it alongside so many of his former team mates, including the likes of Ryan McCann, Paul Burns and Steve Tosh, was an added bonus for Dobbie.

Despite the 6-2 scoreline, the former Blackpool and Swansea strike managed to score one last time in front of the fans with a first half penalty.

The 41-year-old said: “Throughout the whole time since the testimonial got announced, there’s not been one drop out from Queens. That’s a testament to the old players including Stevie Tosh who’s about 90 now. We