Strathspey Thistle goalkeeper Stevie Dunn continues to defy the odds at the age of 43 – and he has the scars to prove it.
The former Lossiemouth manager pulled off one of the saves of the season against Rothes, one of his former clubs, on Saturday when he made a stunning stop from Donald Horsburgh’s ferocious eight-yard volley.
Dunn said: “He made a first-time connection when the ball came over from a corner. The ball was going in at the near post but I was able to get across and stick a hand out. Unfortunately, my team-mate, Thomas Borthwick, who was covering the post, connected with my hand at the same time.
“It was a reaction save but my hand is still bruised and swollen.
“At least we kept the ball out of the net and Thomas went on to grab our late equaliser, so we left with a well-earned point. We had to play with only 10 men for 70 minutes after Stuart Patience was sent off.”
Dunn is not regretting his decision to resume his playing career after leaving Lossiemouth and hopes to continue his time between the sticks.
He said: “I feel as if I could go on and play for another couple of seasons as there is no pressure on me. It is different from my spell at Lossie as a manager.
“The youngsters playing in front of me do have a bit of respect for me and they do ask my advice during training and in a game.”
Strathspey manager Brian Grant praised his veteran goalkeeper’s fine save last weekend when he said: “It was a fantastic stop. Donald struck it beautifully on the volley and it all happened so fast, how Stevie kept it out I don’t know.
“I’ve known Stevie for a long time and he had always been a natural shot-stopper. For a 43-year-old, he is still amazingly agile, and, of course, he’s also a great talker who organises the younger defenders brilliantly – it is almost like having a manager on the park when Stevie is playing.
“He has helped everyone at the club since he arrived in the middle of October.”