Cambridge United legend Harrison Dunk lands Love Cambridge Player of the Month award for April

The term ‘legend’ is banded about far too frequently in football these days, but for Harrison Dunk it is a fitting description.

Just when you thought that there was very little more for the long-serving 32-year-old to achieve in a Cambridge United shirt, he goes and scores three crucial goals to help keep the club in Sky Bet League One.

And that from a player who while having a decent list of attributes that he brings to the team, finding the back of the net with such regularity has not been one of them.

Prior to scoring the opening goal of the game – all from corners – in vital wins over Peterborough United, Accrington Stanley and Forest Green Rovers, the left-back had contributed just one goal in the previous four seasons.

But what a time to add another string to his bow, with the goals against Posh and Accrington going a long way to earning Dunk the Love Cambridge Player of the Month award for April.

Dunk, who has made more than 450 appearances for the U’s since joining the club in 2011, said: “I might just be the dark horse that nobody picks up at corners!

“Barry Corr (first team coach) does the corners and I’ve always told him I thought I could be useful. I’ve normally been the man back for corners so maybe I’m the target players weren’t expecting. I’ve been able to ghost in there and it’s worked.

“We work on corners a lot. Barry is very detailed and it’s not just a case of players run in there and hope that it lands on your head or foot. There’s a lot of movements and work that goes into it and thankfully it’s paid off.”

For the first time in a few months, April’s prize was hotly contested. The Bennetts – Liam and Ryan – were the obvious recipients since the turn of the year, but Dunk had a healthy amount of competition this time around.

Sam Smith scored six times in as many appearances, while the likes of Conor McGrandles, Jack Lankester and the two Bennetts had all enjoyed positive spells throughout the month.

Dunk, who collected his award from The Graduate Hotel Cambridge, added: “It means a lot (to win the award). It’s the first time I’ve won it.

“A lot of players had great months and there are probably more than that as well that could have won it. Everyone played really well and results were great.

“It’s a great privilege to win it with so many players playing well, especially with the votes coming from the supporters.”

Dunk is one of a number of players that is due to be out of contract this summer, but with his connection to club, it would not be a surprise to see his association with United enter into a 13th season.

And despite living in London, the city of Cambridge also means a lot to him.

“I love walking around and seeing the colleges. It’s such an interesting place with great architecture,” he said.

“I live in London so it’s a bit of a dying art seeing all of those natural and beautiful buildings.

“The punting is great and while I’m not a massive foodie, The Ivy is great and there are plenty of other really good restaruants.

“The city centre and Grand Arcade are good as well. It’s a great city.”

- Cambridge United has teamed up with Cambridge BID to give supporters the chance to vote for their Love Cambridge Player of the Month, supported by the Cambridge Independent. Sponsors Love Cambridge is part of Cambridge BID, a collaboration of 1,200 businesses working together to promote and improve the city of Cambridge.