Glenn Dunlop

Glenn Dunlop (born 12 May 1968 in Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a retired Northern Irish footballer who played over 300 games for Crusaders as a central defender.[1]

Glenn Dunlop
Personal information
Date of birth (1968-05-12) 12 May 1968
Place of birth Belfast, Northern Ireland
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Playing position(s) Centre back
Youth career
1989–1991 Sirocco Works
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1991–2000 Crusaders 360 (12)
National team
1995 Northern Ireland B 1 (0)
1995 Irish League XI 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Dunlop won two championships with Crusaders and has been considered as one of the best players in the Northern Ireland Football League in the 1990s by contemporary players and the media.[2][3][4]

Dunlop retired in 2000 after suffering an ankle injury.[5] Dunlop now works as a minister of the church.[6]

Biography

After beginning his playing career at amateur level for Sirocco Works, he signed for Belfast side Crusaders in 1991.[5]

In his first full season with Crusaders in 1991, Dunlop received his first of two career nominations for Guinness Sport's Writer's Player of the Year award at Seaview. The 1995–96 season culminated in a PFA Player's Player of the Year award, the last one to be awarded,[7] with two more of these awards to come in the two following seasons.[8]

The 1996–97 season saw him grab a Goal of the Season award scored in a 2–0 win over Bangor at Seaview. He picked up the ball deep in his own half at the left back position and after running the length of the pitch, rounding several Bangor players, including the goalkeeper, slotted the ball home into an empty net. Ex. Manchester United manager, Tommy Docherty made the selection. Dunlop also won Guinness Sport's Writer's Player of the Month selections.

Dunlop appeared in Crusaders' Champions League preliminary round loss to Dinamo Tbilisi in 1997.[9]

Dunlop's contract expired after the championship-winning 1997 season with Linfield showing interest, but he ultimately re-signed with Crusaders.[10][11] Dunlop was also linked with a move to Portadown in 1998.[12]

Dunlop had a testimonial match against English Premiership side Derby County in July 2000.[13] He injured his ankle against Newry and left the game in November 2000. He now works in the church.[5]

Honours

Crusaders

  • Irish League (2): 1994/95, 1996/97
  • Irish League Cup (1): 1996/97
  • Gold Cup (1): 1995/96
  • Ulster Cup (1): 1993/94

Individual

  • Northern Ireland PFA Players Player of the Year (1): 1994/95
  • Football Writers' Premier League Team of the Year (3): 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98
  • Guinness Sport's Writer's Player of the Month (3)

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-11. Retrieved 2010-01-21.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Footballers' Lives with Chris Scannell: I was offered more money to leave Cliftonville but I remained loyal and that came from my family". Belfast Telegraph.
  3. "Dunlop can be a Dynamo". Belfast Telegraph.
  4. Hutchison, Bryan (May 23, 2018). "A Crusaders Dream Team". Over the Turnstile.
  5. "Dunlop's playing career is over". bbc.co.uk. 30 November 2000.
  6. Gracey, Jim (February 24, 2018). "Kirk Hunter: Legendary hardman on 'crazy times' with Crusaders and his Shankill pride". Belfast Telegraph.
  7. "Northern Ireland PFA Player of the Year and Football Writer's Premier League Team of the Year Award".
  8. "Campbell's Big Bitch; Ray's Cut Up over Pay Snub" by Clark, Bill - Sunday Mirror (London, England), June 2, 1996 - Online Research Library: Questia Reader". www.questia.com. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  9. Beacom, Steven (July 24, 1997). "Crues Euro Dream Over". Belfast Telegraph.
  10. "We're not leaving: Crues duo". Belfast Telegraph. April 21, 1997.
  11. "McKeown move hits snag".
  12. "Football: McIlroy to watch Grant in action". Belfast Telegraph. September 2, 1998.
  13. "Is Dunlop taking in Seaview for last time?". Belfast Telegraph. 26 July 2000.
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