The life and times of Harrison Dunk at Cambridge United
Harrison Dunk is probably as close to a being a homegrown player at Cambridge United as you can get without actually being one.
Having no previous history in the professional game, he was a mere 20 years old when moving to the Abbey Stadium in 2011.
In his own words, Dunk has gone from “a boy to a man” with the U’s, and it is why it will make a testimonial against QPR next Tuesday, July 27 (kick off 7pm) extra special – that and being a lifelong fan of the Hoops.
The 30-year-old will be entering his 11th season with United in the 2021/22 campaign, and both player and club have come a long way since a youthful Dunk joined then Conference side United from Bromley.
“I think I was 20 when I signed and I just remember thinking it was such a big club with such great potential, and I was just so excited to be playing professional football,” he says.
“At that point I was on a gap year, as my university was still on hold, so it was a chance to really test myself to see how football went.
“It was the first time living away from home as an adult, with some of the players, and I just remember the intensity of training every single day as I hadn’t done that before.
“I was getting the feel of playing for a club that had a good fanbase, playing in big games at a nice stadium, and all the things that come with it. I just remember thinking it was a club going in the right direction, and I just wanted to be part of the journey. I just loved it.”
Dunk explains that the feel and ethos of the U’s has remained the same since the moment he first walked through the doors.
The continuity throughout the club has been a key factor in that.
“There are still people like Renford (Sargent) and the Clark family that have been here since I signed, and they are just such reassuring figures that you can speak to on such a level that they respect you and you respect them; it just made it feel like a real family being part of the club,” says Dunk.
“I’ve always thanked them for that because I’ve always seen people like Renford as a sort of father figure, and it’s always been nice to celebrate a win with the good people in football.
“Bonz [United head coach Mark Bonner] at the time was with the youth team, Matt [Walker, head of performance] was working with the youth team and first team when I joined, and there has been some really good continuity with good people – I think that is so important these days.
“You have good people with a goal, honest people that work hard, want to improve and I think that has been a key to the success of the club over those years.”
Dunk, who initially joined during Jez George’s spell as manager, has signed six different contracts with the U’s, and never had any hesitation in putting pen to paper to extend his stay.
“I like to think I’m quite a loyal person and the club have been loyal to me, so it has worked well,” he says.
“The fans have always been amazing to me. I’ve had a lot of managers during those times, and thankfully I’ve either won them over or just about kept myself in and around the team.
“It’s been a challenge over those years, but I like the challenge of going up the leagues. With success, it brings more competition and that has driven me to keep improving and why I still believe to be at the club.”
It will be a celebration of Dunk’s career with the U’s on Tuesday night and, somewhat fittingly, the 384 appearances will be recognised against his boyhood club.
“Even now if I don’t have a game on a Tuesday and QPR are playing, I will be at Loftus Road watching,” he says.
“It’s just surreal. Every year in the cups I have always looked out and the whole family have hoped we would be playing QPR at some point.
“A dream has come true that I can play against the team for which I have been a season ticket holder my whole life – it will just be surreal and a really nice touch for both clubs for organising it and for me and the family.”
All proceeds from the match, after costs, will go to Dunk.
Seated tickets cost £12 for adults, £8 for concessions and £1 for juniors, while terrace tickets cost £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and £1 for juniors. They can be purchased at CUFCDirect.com, by calling 01223 566500 or by purchasing in-person on the day of the game.
Harrison Dunk's Cambridge United career highlights
Favourite game:
“It would either be the play-off final (against Gateshead in 2014), very obviously, or this year against Grimsby. I was more nervous for the Grimsby game than I was for the play-off final.
“I just felt there was a lot of pressure on us, good pressure, but we just felt we had to get over the line, and that release of all that pressure and stress when the second goal went in was unbelievable – that was the best feeling.
“I’ve always loved winning things, so to have some tangible promotion was always going to be higher in my book.”
Favourite goal:
“The winner against Chesterfield a couple of years ago (in a 3-2 victory in February 2018) or my first goal against Telford, it was my home debut on a Tuesday night under lights (and a 1-0 win for the U’s). That really settled my nerves at the club.”
Favourite moment with fans:
“Maybe the play-off final with the fans, seeing the fans at Wembley celebrating was amazing.”
What does the Abbey Stadium mean to you?
“Straight away, it just reminds me of all the people, the same stewards I have seen over the years as I go in the car park, the same people I see working behind the bars, the directors, the fans.
“It’s all one to me, that’s why it’s so special because it is all such a family club that is run so well.”
What does Clare College sport ground meant to you?
“It’s a symbol of the progression of the club, to be honest. When I first signed, we didn’t have a gym at the training ground, the pitches weren’t half as good as they are now, we didn’t have a physio room.
“It just shows the progression that has gone on behind the scenes, that is now reflected on the pitch.
“The hard work has really shown why the club have been moving forward over those years.”
Favourite moment:
“Promotion was massive, and it always will be; both promotions were massive.
“But maybe just signing because it was such a big club for me at the time, and it was my first opportunity to really prove myself.”
