Irish Daily Star - Inside Sport
DUNNE THAT
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“They went on to beat Manchester City in the nal.
“Then there were two play-off games.
“We were there for the FA Trophy two years ago.
“Then we had another FA Trophy when I was rst-team coach. got beaten in that.
Lucky
“This will be my third time at Wembley with Bromley. I’m very lucky, very fortunate.”
He is seasoned enough now to know that tomorrow will mean very little if they
ALAN DUNNE spent most of his playing days in the Championship with Millwall, but at National League side Bromley he has found the perfect place to begin his coaching career.
With almost 500 career appearances under his belt, and most of those with the Lions, Dunne has turned his attention to life in the dugout.
And while few here might be familiar with his current club, the facilities at Bromley would be the envy of many League of Ireland sides.
“The infrastructure at this club at the moment is phenomenal and everything is in place and set for EFL football,” says Dunne.
“We have got a huge academy here producing our own talent and we are very good with young players.
“We sold one player this year to Brentford, which only helps the rstteam grow.
“The year before we sold a player to Norwich. We are also producing our own players and playing them in a tough league.
“We have used loan players from we got two
Arsenal, players don’t get the right result.
His experience of the huge stadium, which dwarfs Bromley’s 5,100 capacity ground, and its massive pitch could be one of those marginal gains that gives the Ravens an edge.
“The rst time I played there, I think there were 60,000 or 70,000 at it. Millwall took the biggest following they’ve ever had there.
“It’s a great place, a great energy. But it can sap your energy, because it’s a big pitch.
“The occasion can really sap your energy if you allow it. Sometimes you can feel like you’ve played a full game after just an hour.
“I’ve had some good days and
Grow
“Since then, this will be our third play-off and we have won an FA Trophy, so we have had four postseasons now. Each year we have gotten better.
“Quarter- nal, semi- nal last year and now we are in the nal. So we have improved each year.
“It’s a great job and I am very privileged to work here. I’m learning my trade here.
“You have to start a new journey when you nish playing. I’m doing my badges, I’m learning the game, learning the league.
“I’ve got a great relationship with Millwall still from my 23 years there.
“I’m trying to help young players come through the system here and help them go on and achieve their
dreams.” bad days there.
“It’s the pinnacle of English football to play there.
“Everyone wants to play there or coach there or manage there.”
Twenty years ago, 21-yearold Dunne was just happy to be there.
Final
Millwall, Charlton… the club is going in the right direction.”
Dunne spent two decades at Millwall before leaving for Leyton Orient in 2015.
Two years later, he arrived at Bromley.
“I did two years playing here, then I was rst-team coach for three seasons,” he says.
“Then Andy Woodman came in and moved me up to assistant manager.
The big occasion, the massive stadium, the bright lights.
“It was brilliant to be a part of it. We were never going to win, playing against United,” he says.
“But no-one ever gave Millwall a hope of reaching an FA Cup nal.
“So to get an FA Cup nal medal, to be a part of the day, was an incredible
Improved
experience and proud of that.
“There are not many players who can say they’ve got an FA Cup nal medal.
“It’s a runners-up medal, but it’s still a medal and a great achievement for Millwall.
“I was part of the occasion and the build-up and I was very fortunate.”
Tomorrow won’t be about the occasion.
Bromley versus Solihull isn’t a David v Goliath story like Millwall and United two decades ago.
“Wembley is a good day out,” says Dunne.
“However it’s only a good day out if you get the job done.”
I am very