Gavin Gunning

Gavin Gunning
Personal information
Full name Gavin Jude Gunning[1]
Date of birth (1991-01-26) 26 January 1991
Place of birth Dublin, Ireland
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position Centre back
Club information
Current team
 Greenock Morton
Number 5
Youth career
2000–2004 St. Joseph's Boys
2004–2007 Crumlin United
2007–2008 Blackburn Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2011 Blackburn Rovers 0 (0)
2009 → Tranmere Rovers (loan) 6 (0)
2010 → Rotherham United (loan) 24 (0)
2010 → Bury (loan) 2 (0)
2011 → Motherwell (loan) 14 (0)
2011–2014 Dundee United 83 (8)
2014–2015 Birmingham City 0 (0)
2015 Oldham Athletic 0 (0)
2015–2016 Dundee United 19 (0)
2016– Greenock Morton 6 (0)
National team
Republic of Ireland U17
Republic of Ireland U19
2009–2012 Republic of Ireland U21 7 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:18, 19 November 2016 (UTC).


Gavin Jude Gunning (born 26 January 1991) is an Irish footballer who plays as a centre back for Scottish club Greenock Morton. He has played in England for Blackburn Rovers, Tranmere Rovers, Rotherham United, Bury, Birmingham City and Oldham Athletic. In Scotland he has played for Motherwell as well as having two spells with Dundee United. He has represented the Republic of Ireland under-21 and youth teams.

Early life

Gunning was born in Dublin on 26 January 1991 and attended St. Benildus College in the Kilmacud area of the city. As a youth, he played Gaelic football for Naomh Ólaf and Kilmacud Crokes and association football for Ballyogan Celtic, St. Joseph Boys and Crumlin United.

Club career

Blackburn Rovers

Gunning joined Blackburn Rovers from Crumlin United in January 2006, despite interest from Chelsea.[2][3] After featuring in the academy and reserve sides, Gunning was described as "one of the most promising prospects from Blackburn Rovers' Academy" and in 2008, signed a two-year professional contract.[4]

He was given the number 29 shirt by Rovers manager Sam Allardyce for the 2009–10 season, having been given number 42 the previous season, though it was thought to be likely that he would be sent out on loan.[5] On 6 August 2009, he moved to Tranmere Rovers on a one-month loan,[6] making six league appearances while at the club.

On 22 January 2010, Gunning started his second loan spell during that season when he joined Rotherham United on an initial one-month emergency loan.[7] After making two appearances, his loan was extended until the end of the season.[8] In the second leg of the 2009–10 League Two Play-offs against Aldershot Town, Gunning set up a goal for Adam le Fondre, as Rotherham won 3–0 on aggregate.[9] Gunning was in the starting line-up in the play-offs finals, however Rotherham were defeated 3–2 by Dagenham & Redbridge, missing out on promotion to League One[10]

In November 2010, Gunning joined Bury on loan until 11 December 2010,[11] then extending the deal until the end of January 2011.[12]

On 28 January 2011, Gunning joined Scottish Premier League club Motherwell on loan until the end of the season.[13] He made his debut for the club on 2 February 2011, against Kilmarnock coming on as a substitute for Steven Hammell in a 1–0 defeat[14] On 27 February 2011, he assisted one of John Sutton's two goals, as Motherwell beat Celtic 2–0 at Fir Park,[15] Gunning started the Scottish Cup Final against Celtic and struck a terrific long-range shot in the 35th minute which bounced off the crossbar. Celtic went on to win the match 3–0.[16] At the end of the season, he returned to Blackburn Rovers[17]

Ahead of the 2011–12 season, Gunning was linked with a return to Motherwell and a move to Aberdeen, both as loan deals.[18] He then went on trial at Scunthorpe United.[19] After playing in a friendly match against Rotherham United, Manager Alan Knill said he was satisfied with Gunning's performance, but thought that he, along with other players on trial with the club, needed to do more to get a contract.[20] After playing for Scunthorpe in another friendly, Knill said he was hoping to get Gunning signed on a permanent contract.[21]

Dundee United

Having reportedly already rejected a move to Dundee United in July, as part of a swap deal involving David Goodwillie moving to Blackburn,[22] Manager Peter Houston then said that the club were hopeful of completing the signing of Gunning.[23][24]

On 12 August 2011, Gunning joined Dundee United on a three-year contract.[25] Upon signing, he said he was very excited to be joining the club and he revealed he'd had other options in England and Scotland.[26] He made his debut for the club in a 5–1 defeat against Celtic on 13 August 2011, coming on as a substitute for Willo Flood in the 78th minute.[27] He scored his first goal for the club against St Johnstone on 27 August 2011, his goal making it 3–3.[28] He scored his second goal of the season on 5 February 2012, scoring with a powerful header, as Dundee United beat Rangers 2–0 in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup.[29] His third goal for the club came on 24 February 2012, as Dundee United beat Hearts 2–0, his goal coming after he had earlier cleared an effort off his own goal line.[30] At the end of the season, Gunning was one of five Dundee United players alongside Paul Dixon, Gary Mackay-Steven, Johnny Russell and Jon Daly to be named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year.[31] He was linked with a summer move to Ipswich Town, but that was dismissed by Dundee United.[32]

In the 2012–13 season, Gunning appeared in both legs of the third qualifying round of the Europa League, as Dundee United faced the Russian club Dynamo Moscow. After a 2–2 draw in the first leg at Tannadice,[33] United lost the second leg 5–0, going out 7–2 on aggregate.[34] He scored his first goal of the season against Dundee on 17 August 2012, as Dundee United won the Dundee derby 3–0.[35] Gunning scored two goals in three games between 26 December 2012 and 2 January 2013 against St Johnstone[36] and Aberdeen.[37] On 9 February 2013, in a match against Hearts, Gunning sustained an injury during the match. Afterwards, it was announced that he would be out for the rest of the season.[38] Ahead of the following season Gunning said that Dundee United should have finished the season higher than they did, with the squad they had available.[39]

Gunning made his return from injury on 17 August 2013, in a 1–1 draw against Hibernian. However he was sent off along with Kevin Thomson in the 65th minutes after an off the ball incident between the pair following a foul by Gunning.[40] While Hibernian unsuccessfully appealed Thomson's red card, Dundee United decided not to appeal the red card shown to Gunning.[41] On 4 September 2013, Gunning was offered a three-match ban by the SFA after an incident involving Celtic's Virgil van Dijk, where he was alleged to have kicked out at his opponent.[42] Dundee United appealed against the ban, but this was rejected by the SFA's judicial panel.[43] Following this incident, Dundee United officials banned both the BBC and STV from further interviews with the club, feeling that the BBC's highlighting of the incident had led to the suspension.[44]

In December 2013, Gunning said that he was looking at signing a new contract with Dundee United.[45] On 29 January 2014, Gunning suffered a knee injury during training.[46] He made his return against Motherwell on 21 February 2014, where he scored twice as Dundee United won 3–1.[47] This was the start of a run of four goals in three games for Gunning as he followed up those two with a goal on 28 February 2014, in a 3–1 win over Hibernian[48] and then another one in the quarter-final of Scottish Cup, in a 5–0 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle on 9 March 2014.[49] In the Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers, Gunning set up Dundee United's first goal, scored by Stuart Armstrong, in a 3–1 win.[50] In the Scottish Cup Final, Gunning started at centre back, alongside Seán Dillon, as Dundee United lost 2–0 to St Johnstone at Celtic Park.[51]

With his contract due to expire at the end of the season, Gunning was linked with a pre-contract move away from the club throughout the season, with Rangers amongst those mentioned, although Dundee United Manager Jackie McNamara said there had been no contact from them.[52] In April, Gunning stated he would be willing to stay at the club, although he was uncertain about his future at Dundee United[53] After the Scottish Cup Final though, he said that he had probably played his last game for the club and that he would be leaving at the end of his contract.[54]

Dundee United confirmed on 4 June 2014, that Gunning had left the club at the end of his contract.[55]

Birmingham City

After leaving Dundee United, Gunning was initially set to sign for Sheffield Wednesday, but the deal fell through after he failed a medical.[56] On 12 June 2014, Gunning then signed a one-year contract with Championship club Birmingham City.[57] He made his debut in the first-round League Cup match against Cambridge United, but was leaving the field injured just as Cambridge scored an equaliser; Birmingham won 3–1 after extra time.[58] The injury was diagnosed as posterior cruciate ligament damage,[59] and kept him out for the rest of the season. The club chose not to take up their option for another year, and confirmed that he would be released when his contract expired.[60]

Oldham Athletic

Gunning joined Oldham Athletic on a short-term deal on 6 August 2015.[61] He was released when the contract expired on 28 August, having made only one appearance for Oldham, against Middlesbrough in the League Cup.[62]

Dundee United (second spell)

Gunning returned to Dundee United in November 2015, signing a contract for the rest of the 2015–16 season.[63] On 12 April 2016, Dundee United announced that Gunning had left the club by mutual consent, describing the decision as "a private matter". [64] This came three days after a match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle during which Gunning, in what was described by the media as "a bizarre incident", had picked up the ball during play and walked off the pitch. He subsequently returned to the field to receive treatment for an injury before being substituted.[65] It was reported that he had "sarcastically applauded" fans who verbally abused him over his conduct.[66] Despite the club statement, manager Mixu Paatelainen subsequently clarified that while Gunning would not be considered for selection, he remained a Dundee United player and could return to training if he wished "or take an early summer holiday".[67]

Greenock Morton

Gunning signed a short-term deal with Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton in September 2016.[68]

International career

Having represented the Republic of Ireland at under-19 level, Gunning made his under-21 debut against Georgia in a 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification match on 9 October 2009.[69]

Career statistics

As of 19 November 2016
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Blackburn Rovers 2008–09[70] Premier League 000000—00
2009–10[71] Premier League 000000—00
2010–11[72] Premier League 000000—00
Total 0000000000
Tranmere Rovers (loan) 2009–10[71] League One 60—00—60
Rotherham United (loan) 2009–10[71] League Two 210——3[lower-alpha 1]0240
Bury (loan) 2010–11[72] League Two 2000——20
Motherwell (loan) 2010–11[72] Scottish Premier League 1404000—180
Dundee United 2011–12[73] Scottish Premier League 3122120—353
2012–13[74] Scottish Premier League 25320202[lower-alpha 2]0313
2013–14[75] Scottish Premiership 2734120—334
Total 8388260209910
Birmingham City 2014–15[76] Championship 000010—10
Oldham Athletic 2015–16[77] League One 000010—10
Dundee United 2015–16[77] Scottish Premiership 1901000—200
Greenock Morton 2016–17 Scottish Championship 600020—80
Career total 15181321005017910
  1. ↑ Appearances in Football League Two play-offs
  2. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

Honours

Individual honours

References

  1. ↑ "List of Temporary Transfers of Players under Written Contract Between 01/11/2010 and 30/11/2010" (PDF). The Football Association. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
  2. ↑ "Blackburn Rovers swoop to sign youngster". BBC Sport. 13 February 2006. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  3. ↑ "Rovers beat Chelsea to Irish starlet". Lancashire Telegraph. 11 February 2006. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  4. ↑ "Young defender pens professional deal". Lancashire Telegraph. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  5. ↑ "Blackburn Rovers players on the move". Lancashire Telegraph. 24 July 2009. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  6. ↑ "Tranmere snap up defender Gunning". BBC Sport. 6 August 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "Millers land Gunning on loan". Sky Sports. 22 January 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  8. ↑ "Rotherham in triple loan signing". BBC Sport. 1 February 2010. Archived from the original on 4 February 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  9. ↑ "Rotherham 2 – 0 Aldershot (agg 3 – 0)". BBC Sport. 19 May 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  10. ↑ "Dagenham & Redbridge 3 – 2 Rotherham United". BBC Sport. 30 May 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  11. ↑ "Rover Gunning in". Bury FC. 12 November 2010. Retrieved 12 November 2010.
  12. ↑ "Bury extend loan spell of Blackburn's Gavin Gunning". BBC Sport. 16 December 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
  13. ↑ "Motherwell sign Gunning and extend Humphrey contract". BBC Sport. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  14. ↑ "Motherwell 0 – 1 Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. 2 February 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  15. ↑ "Motherwell 2–0 Celtic". BBC Sport. 27 February 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  16. ↑ "Motherwell 0 – 3 Celtic". BBC Sport. 21 May 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
  17. ↑ "Motherwell release eight". Sky Sports. 1 June 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  18. ↑ "Motherwell and Aberdeen chase Blackburn's Gunning". BBC Sport. 2 July 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  19. ↑ "Blackburn Rovers defender on trial at Scunthorpe". Lancashire Telegraph. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  20. ↑ "Knill wants more from trialists". Sky Sports. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  21. ↑ "Knill gunning for Gavin capture". Sky Sports. 2 August 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  22. ↑ "Gunning 'rejects' Terrors move". Sky Sports. 31 July 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  23. ↑ "Blackburn's Gavin Gunning offered Dundee Utd contract". BBC Sport. 4 August 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  24. ↑ "Tangerines after Gunning". Sky Sports. 4 August 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  25. ↑ "Terrors confirm Gunning deal". Sky Sports. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  26. ↑ "Terrors test excites Gunning". Sky Sports. 17 August 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  27. ↑ "Celtic 5–1 Dundee Utd". BBC Sport. 13 August 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  28. ↑ "St Johnstone 3 – 3 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 27 August 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  29. ↑ "McCoist slams shabby defending". Sky Sports. 5 February 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  30. ↑ "Hearts 0–2 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 24 February 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  31. 1 2 Ross, Jack (4 May 2012). "PFA Scotland SPL Team of the Year". PFA Scotland. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  32. ↑ "Terrors – No bids for players". Sky Sports. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  33. ↑ "Dundee Utd 2–2 Dinamo Moscow". BBC Sport. 1 August 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  34. ↑ "Europa League qualifying: Dinamo Moscow 5–0 Dundee Utd (agg 7–2)". BBC Sport. 8 August 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  35. ↑ "Dundee Utd 3–0 Dundee". BBC Sport. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  36. ↑ "Dundee Utd 1–1 St Johnstone". BBC Sport. 24 December 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  37. ↑ "Aberdeen 2–2 Dundee Utd". BBC Sport. 1 January 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  38. ↑ "Dundee United star Gavin Gunning out for the season". The Courier. 15 February 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  39. ↑ "Gavin Gunning: Tough season ahead, but Dundee United can't blow it this time". Daily Record. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  40. ↑ "Hibernian 1 – 1 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 17 August 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  41. ↑ "Hibernian: Kevin Thomson red card upheld by Scottish FA". BBC Sport. 22 August 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  42. ↑ "Dundee Utd: Gavin Gunning faces SFA hearing over alleged kick". BBC Sport. 4 September 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  43. ↑ "Dundee United's Gavin Gunning receives three-match ban". BBC Sport. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  44. ↑ "Dundee United ban the BBC over the controversial three-match suspension for Gavin Gunning". Daily Record. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  45. ↑ "Dundee United defender Gavin Gunning hopeful over new contract". Sky Sports. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  46. ↑ "Gavin Gunning a doubt for Dundee United's trip to Partick Thistle". The Courier. 29 January 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  47. ↑ "Dundee United 3 – 1 Motherwell". BBC Sport. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  48. ↑ "Hibernian 1 – 3 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  49. ↑ "Inverness CT 0–5 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 9 March 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  50. ↑ "Rangers 1 Dundee United 3: Nightmare for Rangers keeper Steve Simonsen as Terrors book their place in the Scottish Cup final". Daily Record. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  51. ↑ "Scottish Cup Final: St Johnstone 2 – 0 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  52. ↑ "Dundee United boss says Rangers have made no approach for Gavin Gunning". The Courier. 25 March 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  53. ↑ "Gavin Gunning hints at possible stay at Dundee United". The Courier. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  54. ↑ "Scottish Cup final round-up: Gavin Gunning says he's leaving 'having done a lot' for Dundee United". The Courier. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  55. ↑ "Transfer News: Gavin Gunning leaves Dundee United and linked with Sheffield Wednesday". Sky Sports. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  56. ↑ "Gavin Gunning fails medical". The Herald. Scotland. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  57. ↑ "Birmingham sign Gavin Gunning, David Edgar & Wes Thomas". BBC Sport. 12 June 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  58. ↑ Tattum, Colin (12 August 2014). "Birmingham City 3 Cambridge United 1". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  59. ↑ Tattum, Colin (14 August 2014). "Blues blow as Gavin Gunning is ruled out for several months". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  60. ↑ Tattum, Colin (5 May 2015). "Blues announce squad departures". Birmingham City F.C. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  61. ↑ "Gavin Gunning: Oldham Athletic sign central defender". BBC Sport. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  62. ↑ http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/article/departure-gunning-released-2652555.aspx
  63. ↑ McLauchlin, Brian (20 November 2015). "Dundee United: Gavin Gunning agrees Tannadice return deal". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  64. ↑ http://dufc.co/news/
  65. ↑ Brannan, Laura (12 April 2016). "Gavin Gunning leaves Dundee United following bizarre handball incident". STV Sport. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  66. ↑ Nicolson, Eric (12 April 2016). "Dundee United's Gavin Gunning leaves the club after fan fury". The Courier. Dundee. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  67. ↑ Pattullo, Alan (14 April 2016). "Dundee United problems piling as Gunning saga takes odd twist". The Scotsman. Edinburgh. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  68. ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (15 September 2016). "Gavin Gunning signs until January". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  69. ↑ Gavin Gunning – U21 Squad, UEFA.com
  70. ↑ "Games played by Gavin Gunning in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  71. 1 2 3 "Games played by Gavin Gunning in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  72. 1 2 3 "Games played by Gavin Gunning in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  73. ↑ "Games played by Gavin Gunning in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  74. ↑ "Games played by Gavin Gunning in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  75. ↑ "Games played by Gavin Gunning in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  76. ↑ "Games played by Gavin Gunning in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  77. 1 2 "Games played by Gavin Gunning in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
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