* Season Preview *
* Season Preview *
Men’s Championship 1st Grade
It’s been a summer of considerable change for Dunbar’s flagship team. The club’s venture into State League has seen just two players remaining from last season’s NSW Champion of Champions and ESFA league champions.
Not one to shirk a challenge, new head coach Ger Connolly has assembled a squad containing a mix of players he has known for a number of years along with some young, exciting talent.
Captain Si Philby, vice captain Paddy Millington Buck and goalkeeper James Meyer bring with them almost 20 years of Dunbar experience at the highest level and will provide leadership to the younger members of the squad.
Neil Skillings and Viren D’Souza have stepped up the grades from All Age to test themselves at the highest level in ESFA.
Pre season saw a wealth of talent come and go but Connolly has put his faith in youth and has reduced the average age of the squad by two years.
Jack Johnson at 21 and Enzo Cheng at 20 are two exciting prospects to come into the squad. Cheng is currently away on international duty with the Philipines U23 team. Johnson is an attacking midfielder with an eye for a killer through ball and a penchant for nutmegs.
Rich Maltby arrives with an impressive footballing CV and an even more impressive six pack. His previous clubs include Reading FC, Southampton FC, Basingstoke Town and Chicago Fire U23s.
Another UK import is winger Sam Talbot who has had a number of football scholarships in the US and played a high level back home also. Sam has scored some stunning goals in pre season and will be one to watch this season.
German born Oli Kutscher and French national Jean Christophe Larre add some European flair to the side.
Former Everton FC U18 coach and scout, Stephen Murphy is currently recovering from knee surgery but hopes to be back with the squad in a couple of weeks. He will also coach the Dunbar Juniors U12 boys team.
Last season’s treble winning captain, Paul Stuart has returned along with 25 goal striker, Tim Bowman.
Given so many changes and with so many players new to the ESFA Men’s Championship, it will be a tough campaign for Dunbar’s top team but should the players gel and realise their potential, then anything is possible.
Men’s Championship Reserve Grade
After winning everything on offer last season this years Dunbar Ressies have a pretty tough act to follow. Lee Burney has stepped into the hot seat as coach following an impressive couple of seasons in All Age.
Several players moving up to the prems or leaving the club has seen several new but known names through club take on the challenge and move up to join the championship squad.
Stalwarts Gary Barnett, Russ Gallagher, Anthony Windsor and Mo Suleman, who stepped up from the AA5 Saturdays squad, have been convinced to move through the ranks and have been a welcome addition to the team.
Along with several key members of last year Ross Webb, Craig Trotter and Ben Richards the team is looking strong and ready for the tests the season will bring after coming through pre-season undefeated.