Goalkeeper Steven Dunn hopes if he becomes Scottish football’s oldest player, it happens in the latter stages of a game for Elgin City.
The keeper coach, 51, is poised to take over from Dundee’s legendary shot-stopper Bobby Geddes as the oldest player to feature in a senior Scottish League, or SPFL, game.
He has recently been the back-up to Thomas McHale, with Daniel Hoban only just returning to the fold following an operation.
Dunn is registered as a player and is willing and able to step in if injuries or suspensions kick in and he’s once more named on the bench.
Young Oliver Kelly, 21, has been sent back on loan to Highland League club Strathspey Thistle, which means Dunn – a valued backroom figure – is ready to take on a new record if he replaces McHale.
Geddes holds that accolade at the moment, having played for Dundee when he was 49 in 2010.
Ready for the nod – if required
Dunn, who comes from Bishopmill in Elgin, is relaxed about the potential of breaking the record, although would prefer not to be pitched in early in a match.
He said: “I’ve known about the record for ages because I knew Bobby Geddes had played at 49.
“I’ve been on the bench quite a few times for Elgin, including last season, so I knew if I ever got on in the last couple of seasons I would have been the oldest player to play in the Scottish.
“To be honest, I haven’t really thought too much about it. It’s not crossed my mind.
“It would be okay for me to come on for 10 minutes here or there, but if it happened five minutes into a game I’d be thinking ‘oh no’.
“I have always said I’d do anything to help the club, so I haven’t got a problem if I have to go on.
“But this is probably going to be the last year I’d be registered as a player – I’m not getting any younger.”
Keepers’ deals were smart City moves
Dunn, who took on the coaching role in 2015, not only guides McHale, Hoban and Kelly, but coaches the under-10s, under-12s and under-15s.
He feels getting shot-stoppers on permanent deals this term has been a real step forward for the League Two club.
He said: “The keepers got extended contracts this season for another two years.
“Elgin have not had their own goalkeepers over years – it’s always been loan keepers, so it makes a big difference to have your own keepers you can work with.
“Thomas, Daniel and Olly all get on well. I actually started coaching Olly when he was 13, so it’s really good to see him progressing and playing well in the Highland League.
“At first-team level, Thomas and Daniel are really good goalkeepers and it’s good to have them pushing one another on.”
‘On and off’ stints with home club
Dunn, who has made 12 first-team appearances over his long stint at Borough Briggs, first joined City as a teenager in 1989.
He added: “I was 17 or 18 and playing welfare football for Kingsmills and I played for Elgin in 1998 as a trialist against Keith. I played a couple of games, but never actually signed. I was just a trialist.
“Since then, it’s been on and off. I have been with Elgin quite a few times, including in the Highland League.
“In 2007, I went back when Robbie Williamson was the manager and went back again when Ross Jack was there.”
Elgin’s 3-0 defeat at Albion Rovers on Tuesday means they are seventh in the division, but still just three points behind East Fife, who are fourth.
Their bid to post their first league win since January 2 comes this Saturday when they travel to leaders Dumbarton.
Conversation