 By the time ill health had forced his retirement from cricket, Dobson was considered to be the best all-rounder produced by the county, as well as the most successful player for Durham to that time.He scored 3,040 run at an average of 24.12, as well as 226 wickets at a bowling average of 16.70.No other player at that time had passed 2,000 runs and 200 wickets for the county.