Arbroath favourite Bobby Linn has revealed five of his favourite moments for the club after celebrating his testimonial year.
The 36-year-old has just about seen it all in a maroon jersey; relegation, league titles and an almost odds-defying Championship season.
That was evident with an impressive turnout of 926 at Gayfield for his testimonial match on Sunday – a higher attendance than the game at Cove the previous day.
Linn’s affiliation with the club goes back to 2013 and it’s clear to see why he is so revered by fans and his fellow pros.
Teammates from throughout his time at the club were more than willing to play their part for a Select XI, who ran out 6-3 winners over the first team.
A guard of honour for @ArbroathFC legend Bobby Linn… pic.twitter.com/Id3gyqMldB
— Bobby Linn Testimonial (@BobbyLinnTest) October 2, 2022
Reflecting on the day, Linn revealed his appreciation of everyone involved.
“It was such a great day,” he told Courier Sport.
“The turnout, in terms of ex-players, to come back and play in it, I was really humbled by that.
“I feel that will be a lot to do with how I’ve performed on the pitch over the years.
“The club have also helped me, I feel I’ve contributed back.
“The committee and (organiser) Allen Innes deserve a lot of credit for putting the game on and how they managed to go about doing it.
“It was a success and it will be a day to remember in years to come for everyone connected to the club.”
Reflecting on his 10 years at Gayfield, the Lichties hero has picked out five of his favourite memories.
League titles
“Winning League Two and then League One is up there in my top five moments. League titles is what it’s all about.
“To do that the way we did, as a team, was unbelievable.
“I’d won titles before with Morton, Peterhead and East Fife – but these two meant a lot more to me.”
PFA Awards
“On a personal note, winning two player of the year awards was really special.
“As a player, for your peers to pick you to be the best in the division, it was a nice award to win the PFA Award and the SPFL Player of the Year Award.
“And to have won the PFA player of the year in 2014/15 was an honour as well.
“To win two of them at the club in the League One winning season was fantastic. I was very humbled by that.”
Brace against Montrose
“I still love the two goals up at Montrose on their flag day at the start of the 2018/19 season.
“That will be a real kick in the teeth for some of them reading this.
“That is up there just because what came of that game and the bit of banter between the clubs and fans.”
Arbroath’s first Championship goal
“I’ve scored 71 goals for Arbroath and there have been loads of memorable ones.
“But getting the club’s first in the Championship at Inverness was a really nice one, albeit we lost the game.
“There are probably a few others. The hat-trick against Forfar in the 18/19 season is up there too.”
Favourite strike
“More recently, I think the goal against Dunfermline last season would be one of my favourites.
“If you look at it and the way that game was and the season was going, I wasn’t playing as much.
“To come in and have that impact was nice.”
Conversation