PLAYER PROFILE

Richard Dunne

Position: Defence

Height: 6'2

Weight: 15st 0lbs

Date of Birth: 1979-09-21 Dublin, Republic Of Ireland

Richard Dunne

Richard Dunne is a strong centre-half with great ability, and is, with all due respect, is a lot more skilful than his burly frame would initially lead you to believe and this has been the undoing of several forwards who remain unaware of his vision and timing. The Republic of Ireland international has done well for similar reasons to his predecessor, a legend in another era for another Manchester team - Paul McGrath. Dunne shares with McGrath the ability to be in the right place at the right time on most occasions despite not possessing stunning pace.

The defender was signed for Manchester City by the same manager who gave him his first professional contract. Joe Royle brought Dunne to Maine Road in October 2000 when the then Everton player was sold. The reason he was sold by the then Toffees manager Walter Smith was that he had made a joke on a return from a 3-1 defeat to Bristol Rovers in the League Cup.

The decision proved a good one for the club that ultimately benefited from his capture. Richard made his debut for City in an away win at Southampton in October 2000.

Prior to that, Richard was with Everton for four seasons in which he made 81 appearances. He was spotted playing for the Irish club, Home Farm, a club with which that Everton had a link and Richard was the first player to come to Goodison via the agreement.

Affectionately nicknamed Honey Monster by teammates for his hulking figure, he made history as the youngest player to play a first team match at Goodison Park when he played in an FA Cup tie against Swindon aged 17 years and 106 days.

However, 2002/03 started disastrously for him. While City were thriving on their return to the top flight, Dunne arrived for training one morning in a "dishevelled state" and was suspended. The club even considered terminating his contract, but instead offered him support to deal with his problems.

He eventually returned a couple of months later, and proved his quality in the Manchester derby victory over United, even winning a recall to the Republic of Ireland squad. However, his lack of pace was badly exposed in City's February mauling by Arsenal, and he lost his place in the team again, leaving his future at the club in doubt.

As the 2003/04 campaign started Sun Jihai was preferred in the right-back role, but Dunne forced his way back into the side to play alongise the Chinese star. He scored his one and only goal of the season for the Republic of Ireland in their 2-2 draw with Turkey. Dunne was named Player of the Month for a string of fine performances in November. By the turn of the year Dunne was a regular in the starting line-up again.

Dunne had an operation on a troublesome hernia at the end of the season, but returned to full fitness in time for the 2004/05 season, where he was sent off in the second game against Liverpool. He also conceded two own goals - against West Brom and rivals Manchester United.

All in all, he made 36 appearances and scored once. His defensive partnership with Sylvain Distin proved to be a very strong base for City and this continued into 2005/06, with Dunne now a cornerstone of the team. He also got on the scoresheet three times in what was another excellent campaign for the defender.

In July 2006 he completed his revival by being named as Manchester City's new captain and this success continued into the 2006/07 season as he scored once in 44 appearances.