An unexpected beneficiary of Motherwell’s injury crisis and defensive woes in the early part of the 2005'06 season was youngster Bobby Donnelly.
With ‘Well having conceded five to Dundee Utd the Saturday before, a tricky local derby looming against Hamilton Accies and a handful of key players absent, Terry Butcher had the unenviable task of putting together a defensive line-up that would help see the Dossers through to the next round of the League Cup.
Part of that defensive unit was then 18 year old defender Bobby Donnelly, who made his Motherwell debut lining up in central defence alongside 20 year old Paul Quinn. Throw in Alan McCormack at 21, and the comparative veteran of 23 year old Stevie Hammell and it was one of the youngest Motherwell defences sent to out to do battle for many a year.
Thanks, in no small terms to an excellent top team debut from Donnelly, ‘Well triumphed 2-1 to take local bragging rights and earn their passage into Round 3.
For the bulk of the season normal service thereafter resumed and Bobby returned to the reserves to develop his game only to return to the first team for the last couple of games of the season.
Bobby turned in an accomplished performance in helping 'Well to a 1-0 win over Livingston in the penultimate game of the season and a few days later came off the bench midway through the 1-1 draw with Dundee Utd on final day.
The centre-half featured regularly throughout the Dossers 2006 pre-season and that additional experience gained proved highly beneficial when an injury to Brian McLean in training, ironically in a challenge with Bobby, meant he was included in the line-up for the opening day clash against Rangers.
Despite being up against the experienced Croation international Dado Prso, Bobby turned in a fine display and gave as good as he got throughout the 90 minutes.
Bobby retained his place for the trip to Love Street the following weekend but found the going much more difficult as the Buddies registered a 2-0 win.
Injury and the form of Mark Reynolds alongside Stephen Craigan, limited Donnelly's first team chances, though he did start in the 3-0 League Cup victory over Queen's Park at Hampden.
By New Year however with Motherwell's defensive options much improved Bobby was allowed to join Stranraer on a one month loan deal where he immediately helped them register one of their best results of the season in beating high flying Stirling Albion 2-1.
Injury curtailed his full loan spell at Stair Park and kept him on the sidelines for a spell back at Fir Park too.
There would be further bad news for Donnelly to follow in early April when Maurice Malpas told the central defender he would be free to leave the club at the end of the current season having made 5 starts and a one substitute appearance for the Steelmen.
Like fellow free Willie Soutar, Bobby found himself on trial with Airdrie. Early in his trial period, Donnelly was yet again struck down by injury but he had performed sufficiently well for Airdrie manager Kenny Black to offer him a contract once he had regained full fitness in mid-September. |