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Stephen Dobbie once went three months without wages at the height of Bolton’s financial meltdown.

Now he’s facing the prospect of going the same length of time without so much as a training match as football remains in lockdown due to coronavirus.

At least this time he’s getting paid. For now.

But the Queen of the South striker knows nothing that football might be suffering compares with the anguish and misery the world at large is dealing with in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

That’s why he’s decided to use his spare time to help.

As footballers up and down the country tear their hair out at the lack of action Dobbie and his sons Jack, 10, and Maxwell, 7, are preparing to shave theirs off to raise money for the NHS Charities COVID-19 Urgent Appeal.

You can donate to Dobbie's fundraiser here

Dobbie has been blown away by the heroics of the doctors and nurses who are working 24-7 to care for the nation at its greatest time of need.

His admiration has been brought into sharp focus with his family on lockdown after wife Susanne fell ill with symptoms of the virus.

And the 37-year-old said: “You watch the news and it’s a scary time just now.

“It’s about trying to explain to the kids what is happening in the world and how many people are helping, the doctors, nurses and volunteers making sacrifices for other people. It’s to give the kids perspective.

“They were out clapping the NHS doctors and nurses the other night along with everyone else.

(Image: Twitter)

“They then came up with the idea of shaving our heads for charity.

“I’ve not had a skinhead since my first spell at Queens. I’m not too sure it’s going to grow back this time!

“But it’s a simple thing to do and it’s been amazing - we have raised over £2600 already.

"The plan is to shave our heads on April 7 and video it. Hopefully we can keep the tally rising.

“With my wife having symptoms, we are in isolation for 14 days.

“She had been not well from last Sunday. Thankfully she has picked up the last day or two.

“We have no way of knowing if it was coronavirus. We got in touch with the doctors and they gave her antibiotics.

“It was a worrying time.

(Image: SNS)

“In terms of football I have never known anything like this.

“At Bolton we were in administration and never got paid for a while. At worst I think I went three months without a wage.

“But you were still going to training, keeping your fitness and playing football.

“Not knowing what was going to happen from week to week was a worry.

“But right now that doesn’t compare to what’s happening now when so many people are losing their lives.

“This is much bigger than football and it’s just scary when every morning you wake up and see how many people have died around the world.”