David Dunn
David John Ian Dunn is an English former professional football player, manager and coach.
Dunn played as an attacking midfielder and spent the majority of his playing career representing Blackburn Rovers. His first stint began as a youth team player in 1997, and he signed professional terms a year later. During this time, Dunn helped the club to win promotion out of the First Division in 2000–01, as well as lift the League Cup the following season. He also made his only appearance for England in 2002. He was sold to Premier League rivals Birmingham City for £5.5 million a year later before returning to Blackburn in 2007 for a fee of £2.2 million; continuing as a crucial squad member. He remained there until 2015, with them now a Championship club, when he signed for Oldham Athletic, his final club as a player before his retirement under a year later.
He was player-manager at Oldham between September 2015 and January 2016 and then Blackburn's under-23s and first-team assistant coach. In 2020, he was a coach and briefly caretaker manager at Blackpool, and had five months as manager of Barrow.
Early life
David John Ian Dunn was born on 27 December 1979 in Great Harwood, Lancashire. Dunn joined Blackburn Rovers as a schoolboy. After leaving St Augustine's School, Billington, he was taken on the Youth Training Scheme upon joining the club, which is just down the road from the club's Brockhall training ground. Dunn reflected on his school life, saying: "I wasn't very academic. I was bored in the classroom. It never really excited me and it was never something I really wanted to do. I went to a good school – St Augustine's in Billington. "I didn't wag school or anything like that."Growing up, Dunn wanted to be a footballer because of the influence from his grandfather, David, who was a footballer himself and was a Blackburn Rovers fan, along with his family. Growing up, he idolised Simon Garner. In addition to playing football, Dunn also played cricket.
Club career
Blackburn Rovers
Dunn joined Blackburn Rovers as a trainee at the beginning of 1997 and quickly impressed the reserve team. His first goal for Blackburn Rovers' Reserves came on 3 February 1997. Dunn then played in both legs of the FA Youth Cup semi–finals, as Blackburn Rovers Academy lost 4–3 on aggregate. Nevertheless, he was part of the squad that saw Blackburn Rovers Youth win 3–0 against Everton Youth in a penalty shoot-out following a 1–1 draw after extra-time. However, in the final of the Lancashire FA Youth Cup, they lost 3–1 against Manchester United Youth. The following season, Dunn played in both legs of the FA Youth Cup, as they lost 5–3 on aggregate against Everton Youth.The start of the 1998–99 season saw Dunn being called up to the first-team squad by manager Roy Hodgson. He made his debut during a goalless draw with Everton on 26 September 1998. Dunn came off the bench after 70 minutes but was taken off after just 11 minutes on the pitch, due to the sending off of Martin Dahlin. After making his debut, he said: "I am not a nervous person so it doesn't really bother me. I am just glad to be playing. It's exciting and a brilliant experience. I was just happy to go on no matter how long it was for. It was a surprise to come off but it had to be done for the team. The gaffer explained to me why he did it afterwards and I agree with him." In his second appearance, Blackburn beat Newcastle United at St James' Park in the League Cup; Dunn scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out. The end of the year saw Dunn being linked a move away from Blackburn Rovers, as Preston North End wanted to sign him on loan. But it was announced on 12 December that he signed a contract with the club, keeping him until 2003. His first goal came in a 3–1 victory against Aston Villa on 6 February. Throughout the 1998–99 season, he had received a handful of first-team appearances for the club. At the end of the 1998–99 season, Dunn made 16 appearances and scored one goal in all competitions.
Ahead of the 1999–2000 season, it was expected that Dunn was to fight for his first-team place in the central midfield position. He began the season when he appeared in a number of matches, either starting a match and coming on as a substitute, without able to play the whole game for the side. On 22 September, Dunn scored his first goal of the season, in a 3–1 win against Portsmouth in the second round of the League Cup. Dunn then spend the next two months playing for the reserve side, though he did return to the first-team once, coming against Leeds United in the third round of the League Cup. On 6 November, Dunn returned to the first-team, where he started a match and played 83 minutes before being substituted, in a 2–2 draw against Ipswich Town. Dunn started in the next two matches before he returned to the reserve side for a month until on 28 December 1999 against Portsmouth, starting the whole game, winning 2–1. Dunn then regained his first-team place for the rest of the 1999–2000 season. His lack of first-eam opportunities led him to a transfer request, only to be rejected by Blackburn Rovers. He later withdrew the transfer request a month later. Dunn then scored two goals in two matches between 18 March and 22 March against Fulham and Birmingham City. Despite suffering injuries during the 1999–2000 season, Dunn made twenty–six appearances and scored three times in all competitions.
At the start of the 2000–01 season, Dunn became a first-team regular, establishing himself in the starting eleven and playing midfield. On 26 August, he scored his first goal of the season, in a 3–2 win against Norwich City. This was followed up when Blackburn entertained Rochdale in the League Cup, where Dunn scored a hat-trick from the penalty spot. He then scored in the next two matches, against Nottingham Forest and Watford. Two weeks later on 26 September, Dunn scored his seventh goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Portsmouth. He reached double figures in terms of goals in 2000 after scoring five more goals, including a brace against Crystal Palace on 22 December. Along the way, Dunn was suspended on three occasions. After his performances attracted interests from top division clubs, Blackburn Rovers began open talks with him over a new contract. It was announced on 14 February that he signed a four-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2005. During the same month, Dunn added three more goals in February, including scoring against Bolton Wanderers in two separate matches. His performances throughout February earned him the Young Player of the Month award. He then scored three goals throughout April and then helped Blackburn achieve promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since 1999. At the end of the 2000–01 season, Dunn made fifty–two appearances and scored 18 times in all competitions. For his performance, Dunn was named PFA Team of the Year.
Ahead of the 2001–02 season, Dunn was linked a move away from Blackburn Rovers, but the club's chairman John Williams refused to sell him. He started in the opening game of the season against Derby County but was substituted at half-time following a challenge, as Blackburn Rovers lost 2–1. Having previously sustained a knee while on international duty, Dunn was sidelined for six weeks. On 30 September, he returned to the starting line–up and played 81 minutes before being substituted, in a 2–1 loss against Aston Villa. Dunn starred in Rovers' return to the Premier League, putting in a string of impressive performances, notably in their 7–1 win over West Ham United and a 3–3 draw at Arsenal, where he scored two goals, one a last minute equaliser. Following these two matches, local newspaper The Lancashire Telegraph praised Dunn's performance. He later reflected on his performance on his column for the Lancashire Telegraph. Since returning from injury, Dunn continued his good form in the season and regained his place in the midfield position. He then scored two goals in two matches between 15 December and 22 December against Newcastle United and Charlton Athletic. Dunn was sidelined with a calf injury during a 2–1 loss against Manchester United on 19 January. After being sidelined for three weeks, he returned to the starting line–up and played the whole game, as Blackburn Rovers lost 2–0 against Fulham on 9 February. Dunn then started in the League Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur, as he helped the side win 2–1 to win the trophy at the Millennium Stadium. Dunn scored his sixth goal of the season, in a 3–0 win against Aston Villa on 5 March. A week later, however, he suffered a rib injury and was substituted in the 34th minute, as Blackburn Rovers lost 3–1 against Leeds United. Dunn did not return to the first-team until on 1 April against Southampton and played 53 minutes before being substituted, as they won 2–0. Following his return, he started in the last six league matches, including scoring his seventh goal of the season, in a 3–1 win against Middlesbrough on 20 April. At the end of the 2001–02 season, Dunn made thirty–four appearances and scored seven times in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2002–03 season, Dunn, once again, was linked a move away from Blackburn Rovers, as Premier League clubs continued to declare their interests in signing him. He started the season well, scoring two goals in two separate weeks against Liverpool and Chelsea. Both of these matches saw him earn praises from The Lancashire Telegraph. Since the start of the 2002–03 season, Dunn continued to regain his first-team place in the midfield position and was in good form. He then made his UEFA Cup debut against CSKA Sofia and played in both legs, as Blackburn Rovers went through away goal following a 4–4 draw on aggregate. After suffering a hamstring injury during a 2–1 loss against Tottenham Hotspur on 6 October, Dunn returned to the starting line–up and scored twice for the side, in a 5–2 win against Newcastle United on 19 October. However, loss of form combined with his injury concerns did not help his cause and he fell out with then-Blackburn manager Graeme Souness. It was speculated the previous January that the pair fell out. Although Dunn was hurt over the situation leading up to his departure, he later said he did not have a grudge against Souness. Dunn then scored two goals in two matches between 22 February and 1 March against Chelsea and Manchester City. Despite suffering injuries along the way, he continued to regain his first-team place and then added two more goals later in the 2003–04 season. At the end of the season, Dunn made thirty–five appearances and scored eight times in all competitions.
Subsequently, Dunn was ready to move on to another club in the summer. He even turned down a contract extension from Blackburn Rovers, further doubting his stay at the club. Blackburn initially rejected offers from a number of clubs, but Birmingham City's revised bid of £5.5 million was accepted, and Dunn moved to the West Midlands in time for the start of the 2003–04 season. Dunn later said that he regretted leaving Blackburn Rovers for Birmingham City. During his time in his first spell at Blackburn Rovers, Dunn was at one time dubbed "the New Gazza", a testament to his flair and technical ability.