Peter Dobing, the Stoke City captain who led the club to the 1972 League Cup win over Chelsea, has died at the age of 87.
Dobing was a central figure in one of the most important periods in Stoke City history. He made 377 appearances and scored 95 goals for the club after joining from Manchester City, and he remains best remembered for lifting the League Cup at Wembley in 1972.
From Blackburn to Stoke City
Dobing's career began at Blackburn Rovers, where he signed a professional contract for Johnny Carey in December 1955. He went on to score 20 league goals in 1957-58 as Blackburn gained promotion to Division One, then added 24 league goals the following season.
He had already shown his value on the big stage by 1960, when he made a previous Wembley appearance for Blackburn and scored five times in their run to the FA Cup final, which they lost 3-0 to Wolves.
In 1961, Dobing moved to Manchester City for £37,500 after Denis Law left for Torino. Two years later, Tony Waddington brought him to Stoke City for a then club record £37,500.
Key figure in Stoke City's rise
Dobing made an immediate impact in his first season at Stoke, scoring 19 goals as the club reached the League Cup final for the first time, though they lost to Leicester City over two legs.
His influence remained important after that, even after a broken leg in January 1965 and a second leg fracture that eventually ended his career. In 1971-72, he scored three goals in the League Cup, including one in the semi-final second replay against West Ham United.
The following year brought the defining moment of his Stoke career, as the club beat Chelsea at Wembley to win the League Cup with Dobing as captain.
Stoke City tribute
Stoke City said its thoughts and sincere condolences were with Dobing's friends and family at what it described as an immensely difficult time. The club also said that, with Saturday's Remembrance fixture approaching, details of plans for a tribute on a forthcoming match day would be shared with supporters in due course.
Dobing later worked as a real life potter in the Potteries, but for Stoke supporters and football historians, his name will always be tied to that 1972 Wembley triumph.
