Richard Dunne

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Lore & Background

Dunne began his professional career at Everton. He later spent nearly a decade at Manchester City before joining Aston Villa in 2009. In July 2013, he signed for Queens Park Rangers. He has also played internationally for the Republic of Ireland from 2000 until 2014. With Ireland he was a member of the 2002 FIFA World Cup squad and played in UEFA Euro 2012. Dunne announced his retirement from football in November 2015 after being released by Queens Park Rangers. He is employed as a youth coach in Manchester City's academy. Dunne holds the joint Premier League record of being sent off – eight times along with Patrick Vieira and Duncan Ferguson. He also holds the Premier League record of scoring ten own goals.

In Their Own Story

On 18 January 2007, Manchester City teammate Micah Richards said: 'Ever since I've come to this club Richard has just been quality. I play with him week in, week out and I think he's one of the best players I've played with. I've played with John Terry and Rio Ferdinand in the England squad but Richard is right up there with them.' In August 2008, Garry Cook, chief executive of City, said 'China and India are gagging for football content to watch and we're going to tell them that City is their content. We need a superstar to get through that door. Richard Dunne doesn't roll off the tongue in Beijing.' Dunne continued to play throughout 2008–09 making 47 starts in all competitions despite three red cards. Following the signings of Kolo Touré and Joleon Lescott, Dunne left for Aston Villa in August 2009 for a fee of £5 million. On 5 October 2009, Dunne scored his first goal for Villa, coincidentally against his former club Manchester City, in a 1–1 draw. He was applauded by Manchester City fans for his respect in refusing to celebrate his goal. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2009–10 season. On 12 February 2012, Dunne fractured his right clavicle in a collision with Joe Hart during a Premier League match against his former club Manchester City. He travelled to the NFL team the Cleveland Browns in order to attain specialised medical care for his injury.

Reader's Guide

Dunne made his debut under then manager Joe Royle in January 1997, at the age of seventeen. He was signed by Manchester City in autumn 2000 for a fee of £3.5 million. He was appointed club captain in the 2006 close season. On 4 July 2008, Dunne signed a new four-year contract with Manchester City to keep him at the club until 2012. He marked his 29th Birthday with a goal in the 6–0 win against Portsmouth on 21 September 2008. His eighth Premier League red card against Wigan Athletic in January 2009 equalled a record set by Patrick Vieira and Duncan Ferguson. He joined Aston Villa in 2009 for a fee of £5 million. He scored his first goal for Villa against his former club Manchester City on 5 October 2009. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2009–10 season. He joined Queens Park Rangers on 15 July 2013 on a free transfer. He scored his tenth own goal in the Premier League in a 3–2 defeat against Liverpool on 19 October 2014.

Did You Know?

• Dunne holds the joint Premier League record of being sent off eight times, along with Patrick Vieira and Duncan Ferguson.
• He holds the Premier League record of scoring ten own goals.
• Dunne won Manchester City's Player of the Year award four times consecutively from 2005 to 2009.
• He was part of the 1998 FA Youth Cup squad at Everton along with Tony Hibbert and Leon Osman.