The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Lichties’ Linn is still fit to burst for his team
Arbroath winger Bobby Linn turns 36 in October and is reaching the twilight of his football career.
Many would have already retired by now and most would at least be considering it.
But Dundee’s most famous binman is in absolutely no mood to chuck his boots on to the scrapheap any time soon. And nor should he be. Forget his age or the fact he is ready to celebrate his testimonial season at Arbroath, Linn’s career is still very much alive and kicking as he prepares to pull on his brand new Red Lichties kit.
He must be one of the fittest part-time players in Scotland and the former Dundee star lives for his football.
Linn beams with pride as he recounts the recordbreaking Monday night training sessions that see him crash through the 40,000 step barrier on his Fitbit.
He clocks up the numbers in work as a refuse collector for Dundee City Council and laps up the early morning runs and evening boxing sessions with personal trainer (PT) Kenny Rattray.
Rattray is no slouch himself having recently earned the title of Dundee mountain man for completing a staggering 25 marathons in 24 days.
Rattray pushes the Gayfield star to the limits and Linn continually rises to the challenge.
“I love my football and I love my job on the bins,” said Linn. “As I’ve got older it’s definitely helped my fitness.
“I always want to do more and I’m lucky enough to have a lot of friends who are in boxing or are PTS who help me.
“Without their help I wouldn’t be nearly as driven or fit as I am.
“I wear a Fitbit and some days after finishing training on a Monday I’ve done 40,000 steps. I’m doing something like 16 miles a day.
“The older I’ve got, the more determined I’ve become. I’m infectious about football. I love it.
“It’s been a big part of me all my life so I need need to put the work in to keep going. I’m up against guys in their early 20s now and I’m almost 36, I have to keep up with them.
“I love coming home, finishing work and resting up before going up the hills.
“I can honestly stand here and say I’m looking forward to getting my next boxing session and run at night.”
There’s a renewed spring in Linn’s step. As we speak he’s almost jogging on the spot while he models Arbroath’s new home and away kit.
Arbroath will put the kit on general sale on June 5 and, after they secured Championship football for a third successive year, it will sell quickly.
Linn missed the final few games of the season due to
injury but you can tell he’s relishing the prospect of turning out in front of fans again.
As a massive fan himself, Linn has created an unbreakable bond with the fans at Gayfield and has clocked up more than 300 appearances for Arbroath.
It’s not just the punters who appreciate him.
His fellow professionals have nominated him as a PFA Player of the Year contender a staggering 11 times and he has won the award twice – for League Two in 2015 and League One in 2019.
Linn scored 23 goals in the 2018-19 season to propel Arbroath to the League One title.
And the iconic image of him celebrating with the crowd at Montrose’s Links Park during that goal-laden season perfectly illustrates his relationship with the fans.
“I’ve only scored one goal this year,” added Linn. “Who could I run towards
with one goal? Nobody would take me on and I certainly can’t run to the gaffer because I’ve only got one goal to celebrate!
“A massive part of our success is the connection we have with the fans. You miss the fans, you really do.
“Every player will say you should always be up for your work but there are some games where that becomes difficult.
“It’s never a given and the fans help you. The perfect example was on the Friday night of the Morton game.
“You could see the fans on the hill with their banners and smoke bombs. You could also hear them singing and a small atmosphere made a big difference.”
“After the game when we went down to see them at the gates they were all singing and you really miss that. You realise what you’ve done to stay up and the excitement will still be there for next season.”