We can announce that Simon Dunn has made the decision to retire from Football.
The Club Captain announced earlier in the season that he was due to retire come the end of the season however due to receiving an injury away at Chertsey Town, he has brought forward the timings.
As Simon explains in his own words,
“After a couple more setbacks since announcing I would retire at the end of the season, I have decided to bring this forward.
Ultimately, I have not played much football since the end of the 2022/23 season and even though I am proud of how many times I’ve got back up from being knocked down, I feel I have reached my limit with having to walk off the pitch injured.
I will still attend as many home matches as possible, with a view to making one last appearance at some point towards the end of the season, to end on positive terms!
Thank you for all your support.”
Well, where to begin…
Simon first pulled on our shirt in 2011, making his debut after graduating from our Academy. In 2016, he made the move to Slough Town, where he became a key figure in their success, even earning the coveted Players’ Player award along the way.
After facing ongoing battles with mental health, an issue Simon speaks to elequently about, he took some time away from the game. Dunny has become an unintentional yet inspirational ambassador for those who have suffered or suffering from mental health, offering unwavering support to others both on and off the pitch. His leadership and character were celebrated earlier this season in the article Simon Dunn: Modern Day Skipper which highlighted the remarkable impact he continues to have.
Following a speculative conversation between the Manager and who was later to become his captain; on the 4th February 2020 – Simon returned to the Club on dual-registration with the Rebels.
As Dan Brownlie notes…
“Aside from with my wife, it was the most important DM I’ve ever made. It was a speculative message hoping that the lure of his old club might just be enough. As luck would have it, the very same day I sent it, he’d had a conversation with his Dad about returning and the idea that Basingstoke might be a good option.”
Simon is without a shadow of a doubt the most important signing I’ve ever made. He’s been a beacon of light within stormy skies. He’s been a warrior in the fight, and a calm head during chaos. He’s everything you’d ever want in a person, player and Captain. Whilst he’ll continually claim his depth of thought is his weakness; he’s began to realise that it’s much more his magic.”
“It’s worth noting, Dunn came to us during a really tough period for the club. Playing out of Winchester, with uncertainty surrounding not just the ground but the future of the club. But the pride he puts on representing this Football Club – his home town – is immeasurable.”
“His qualities on the pitch are too many to mention; but I can’t imagine a team in and around this level who wouldn’t be stronger for having him in it. But it’s the unseen hours that are the mark of the man. There was once an altercation in the crowd in which a young fan got caught up in. The next day, Dunny arrived at his front door with a signed pair of boots ensuring his love for the game continued and wasn’t put off by the moment. I also remember our disability team coming to a game and they all made a direct bee-line for him, I found out later the same day that unbeknownst to me Dunny had been visiting their training sessions to help out.”
“To say we’ll miss him is an understatement. My wife, when in conversation with a group of our friends, went on record as saying ‘It goes… Daughter, Dunny, Me, in that order.’ It’s not sensible for me to comment as to whether that’s true – but the sentiment probably does enough by way of explanation.”
“The phrase ‘great footballer, but even better guy’ has somewhat lost its meaning with its constant use on Twitter with these types of announcements. But I’ll forgive it for this time. To suggest he is an even better guy, whilst true, is some statement – because my god, he was one hell of a footballer.”
Chairman Jack Miller added “I had a brief exchange of messages with Dunny in the week where he made me aware of his decision and whilst it was bittersweet to learn, I completely understand his decision. The effort and performances that he’s put in, even through the setbacks, shows the resilience of the person and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of Simon for.
On behalf of the club – we wish to place on record our most heartfelt gratitude to Simon once again for all that he has done for Basingstoke Town and the legacy that he has been a huge part of creating. On behalf of everyone you’ve helped, lead and been an inspiration to along the way; thank you.”
We’d also like to place on record our thanks to Simon’s wonderfully supportive family. Steph, his two children and parents particularly who have been great supporters – not just of Dunny, but also the club.
What Simon has done for our Football Club will not only live long in the memory of our supporters but will forever be etched into the fabric of our history.
A leader. An ambassador. A winner. Your Captain. Simon Dunn.
We have already started making progress in marking Dunny’s time with us and whilst a date is yet to be confirmed, it’s been agreed that we will host Slough Town in a pre-season friendly ahead of the 2025/26 season. I’ve no doubt we’ll have an opportunity to say more about how one man has impacted a club with such class.
But for now,
Thank you, Skip.