| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Joseph John Dunne[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1973-05-25)25 May 1973 (age 52)[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Dublin, Ireland[1] | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2] | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Gillingham (youth team manager) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1989–1990 | Gillingham | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1990–1996 | Gillingham | 115 | (1) |
| 1996–1999 | Colchester United | 98 | (3) |
| 1999 | Dover Athletic | 11 | (2) |
| 1999–2003 | Colchester United | 62 | (3) |
| Total | 286 | (9) | |
| International career | |||
| 1992 | Republic of Ireland U21 | 1 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2009 | Colchester United (caretaker) | ||
| 2012–2014 | Colchester United | ||
| 2018 | Cambridge United | ||
| 2019 | Bristol Rovers (caretaker) | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Joseph John Dunne (born 25 May 1973) is an Irishfootball manager and formerfootballer. He is youth team manager atGillingham.
Dunne played as adefender inthe Football League for Gillingham andColchester United, and briefly played in theConference forDover Athletic. He once representedRepublic of Ireland atunder-21 level. His playing career was ended prematurely after suffering a series of injuries. He began coaching at Colchester United, earning his coaching badges and working his way up from youth level. He became the club's assistant manager whenJohn Ward was appointed manager in 2010, before replacing Ward at the helm in September 2012 having previously acted as caretaker manager for four games in 2009. After guiding the club toLeague One safety in the2012–13 and2013–14 seasons, Dunne left his role on 1 September 2014. He then joinedCambridge United as an assistant manager on 11 May 2015.
Dunne was born inDublin[3] and grew up in the city'sInchicore suburb, where he lived with his mother and father. His father died when Dunne was 13, leaving him to be the "man of the house". Determined to make a career for himself in football, Dunne left Ireland for England at the age of 15 at the same time as his friendMark Kinsella, who had been playing forHome Farm. He went on a week-long trial atGillingham, but stayed for two weeks and signed for the club without telling his mother.[4]
Gillingham managerKeith Burkinshaw signed Dunne, but IrishmanDamien Richardson had replaced Burkinshaw at the helm by the time Dunne arrived.[4] Dunne signed for the Gills on a professional contract in August 1990 and went on to make 115 league appearances for the club, scoring once.[1]
Colchester United bossSteve Wignall signed Dunne from Gillingham in March 1996 on a free transfer.[1] Dunne made his debut for the U's on 30 March 1996 atHartlepool United'sVictoria Park, coming on as a substitute forPaul Gibbs.[5] He scored his first goal for the club in the penultimate game of the1995–96 season, which proved crucial as it was a 90th-minute winner againstMansfield Town to help Colchester into theplay-off positions.[6] Dunne missed the play-off matches as the U's lost out toPlymouth Argyle, but Dunne would get his chance to play atWembley the following season.[1]
Dunne was a member of the Colchester squad that lost the1997 Football League Trophy Final toCarlisle United in apenalty shoot-out following a 0–0 draw.[7] However, he tasted success the following year as Colchester defeatedTorquay United 1–0 at Wembley to win the1998 Football League Third Division play-off final and promotion toDivision Two.[8] However, in the summer of 1999, Dunne was released by new Colchester managerMick Wadsworth[1] alongside nine other players.[9] Despite his release, his popularity with the fans was proven as Colchester's Evening Gazette newspaper awarded Dunne their 'Player of the Year' award, as voted for by readers and fans. Upon hearing this news, Dunne said that it was "a great honour" and he "couldn't thank the fans enough".[10]
Eleven weeks following his release, Dunne struggled to find aFootball League club willing to accommodate him, and Dunne considered quitting football and taking a job outside of the game to support his family after initial interest fromIsthmian League clubAldershot Town came to nothing.[11] However, Dunne signed forFootball Conference sideDover Athletic in August 1999. He made his debut for the club in their 3–1 home defeat toDoncaster Rovers on 11 September and went on to score two goals in eleven Conference appearances.[12]
Steve Whitton had replaced Mick Wadsworth in the hot seat at Colchester United, and Whitton made it his job to bring fans' favourite Dunne back to the club. He was captain at Dover and playing well, but Whitton stated that he would go straight into the U's starting line-up for their next fixture, knowing Dunne had previously stated that he would "leap at the chance to come back".[13] He re-signed for a nominal fee on 14 December 1999 on a deal that would see him tied to the club until at least 2001.[14]
Dunne made his second debut for the club in an important 3–0 win atLayer Road againstLuton Town on 17 December as the U's looked to turn their season around and pull away from the relegation zone.[15] In an away game against Luton one year later, Dunne was taken off after 31 minutes after clashing with HattersmidfielderMatthew Taylor. He suffered a five-inch vertical gash on his face while making tackle and was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment. He spent three-and-a-half hours in hospital before being released and was able to take the team coach back home following the U's 3–0 victory. He returned to action before the new year.[16]
Dunne managed to make 62 further league appearances in his second spell with Colchester[2] but played his final game on 24 November 2001 when he was stretchered off after 79 minutes with a serious knee injury.[17] During his time out injured, Dunne forfeited his monthly wages in a bid to save his career at the club, having been signed to a rolling-monthly contract.[18] Dunne's recovery process suffered setbacks, and required major reconstruction surgery on cartilage and cruciate ligament injuries. In January 2003, Dunne said that he hoped to be back in action by the end of the2002–03 season.[19] In April 2003, Dunne finally announced his retirement from League football aged 29.[20]
Dunne representedRepublic of Ireland atunder-21 level once in 1992, but never received a call-up to the full national squad.[1][4]
Colchester United decided to retain Dunne's services immediately after his retirement from the game by appointing him as a youth team coach, working underMicky Cook. Dunne had previously done some scouting work for Colchester managerPhil Parkinson towards the end of the 2002–03 season during his recuperation from his injuries.[21] Dunne replaced Cook as senior youth team coach in August 2003.[1]
Dunne took charge of the U's youth team on their 2004FA Youth Cup run where they defeatedPremiership clubChelsea 2–1 in the third round atLayer Road in December.[22] The young U's side then proceeded to the fifth round of the cup for the first time in the club's history after beatingCardiff City 3–2 in the fourth round.[23] Dunne's team booked their place in the quarter-finals of the competition with a 2–1 away win atCrewe Alexandra in February 2005.[24] A record youth fixture attendance at Layer Road saw 2,900 fans turn out for the quarter-final against rivalsIpswich Town, but the weary Colchester players were thrashed 5–0 by Town on 16 March 2005.[24] Dunne led his youth team to theYouth Alliance Cup final in May 2006, where they took onPreston North End in front of a crowd of 545 at Layer Road. The U's fought back from 2–0 down to take the tie toextra time, where they eventually fell to a 5–2 defeat.[25]
When Colchester United assistant managerMick Harford departed the club for a similar role withQueens Park Rangers, Dunne was keen to once again stand in as assistant manager toGeraint Williams having done so previously prior to Harford's arrival.[26]
In August 2007, following his good work with the Colchester United youth team, Dunne was promoted within the club to position of reserve team manager having managed the youth team for four seasons.[1][27][28] With new assistant managerMicky Adams leaving Colchester by mutual consent to concentrate on a return to full management,[29] Dunne returned as stand-in assistant manager once again in January 2008 while remaining reserve team manager.[30] With Geraint Williams dismissal as Colchester manager in September 2008, Dunne was once again drafted in as assistant manager while former-assistant managerKit Symons took up caretaker duties until a new manager was found.[31]
Paul Lambert replaced Williams as Colchester manager. In the summer of 2009, Lambert brought inGary Holt asplayer-coach, assisting the youth team and Joe Dunne, meaning Dunne could step up to first-team coach duties.[32] but a little under one year later, Lambert walked out on the U's forLeague One rivalsNorwich City. Dunne stepped in to take temporary charge of the first team as caretaker manager.[33] Dunne's first game in charge was against his former club Gillingham on 18 August 2009, as the club put the loss of Lambert behind them to claim a 2–1 victory and remain top of League One.[34]MK Dons ended Colchester's 100% start to the2009–10 season with a 2–1 victory on 22 August.[35] Dunne ruled himself out of the running for the managers position at the club, stating that he was not one of the 12 possible candidates being interviewed for the job.[36]
Dunne suffered his second successive defeat as U's boss whenLeeds United visited theColchester Community Stadium on 29 August,[37]Aidy Boothroyd was announced as Lambert's successor, as Dunne took charge of Colchester for his final game as caretaker manager. The U's once again faced Gillingham, this time in the Football League Trophy as they bowed out on penalties after the game finished 1–1 in normal time. Dunne said of the experience as caretaker that he "enjoyed the pressure and he enjoyed the challenge" and that "it made him better and made him want to get better", whetting his appetite for more.[38]
Boothroyd left the U's in May 2010 forCoventry City, as Colchester chairmanRobbie Cowling announced that both Boothroyd's former assistantJohn Ward and Dunne were both in the running for the managerial position.[39] On 31 May, Ward was confirmed as the club's new manager, and Dunne was promoted once again to the position of assistant manager.[40]
Following Ward's dismissal as Colchester manager on 24 September 2012, Dunne was once again made caretaker manager as Cowling began his search for a new manager.[41] However, three days later on 27 September 2012, without managing a game as caretaker, Dunne was appointed full-time manager of Colchester United on a one-year rolling contract.[42] He named former Colchester United midfielder and friend Mark Kinsella as his assistant.[43]
Dunne immediately signed three players on loan; forwardJabo Ibehre from MK Dons andArsenal duoCraig Eastmond andSanchez Watt,[44] All three players went straight into the first team squad for Dunne's first match as Colchester manager againstHartlepool United. After falling behind in the sixth minute, Colchester hit back with goals fromGavin Massey and two from new signing Ibehre to win 3–1.[45] After winning four of his first seven games, ending the club's eight-game winless start to the2012–13 season, Dunne considered quitting the club in January 2013 following a record ninth consecutive loss for Colchester, with the club struggling at the lower end of League One.[46] However, he stayed on to help the U's narrowly avoid relegation toLeague Two with a final-day 2–0 win at Carlisle United, the club finished 20th in the league table.[47]
With Cowling's and Dunne's emphasis on producing quality players raised through the Colchester UnitedAcademy and blooding them for first team action, Dunne said he was "fine" with the U's relegation tag as they headed into the2013–14 season.[48] During the first half of the season, Dunne gave first-team debuts toConor Hubble,Sammie Szmodics[49] andMacauley Bonne[50] having already broughtAlex Gilbey,[51]Freddie Ladapo[52] andTosin Olufemi[53] into the first-team picture during the 2012–13 season. Chairman Cowling was pleased that his investments in the youth team had begun producing players that were able to break into the first-team.[54]
Dunne was nominated for theFootball League One Manager of the Month award for the month of January 2014 after steering his side into the top-half of the League One table with two high-scoring wins and a solid draw at MK Dons. It was the second time Dunne had been nominated, after being shortlisted in November 2012 but pipped to the prize bySheffield United managerDanny Wilson.[55][56] Once again however, Dunne was beaten to the accolade, this time byLeyton Orient bossRussell Slade.[57]
Following a string of four successive defeats and a winless start to the2014–15 season, Dunne left Colchester United by mutual consent on 1 September 2014, ending his 18-year association with the club. Colchester United chairman Robbie Cowling stated Dunne decided to go as he felt he took things as far as he could.[58][59][60]
In 2015, Dunne joinedCambridge United as assistant toShaun Derry. Following Derry's departure in February 2018, Dunne was appointed as interim manager of the club until the end of the season before being officially appointed as manager on a three-year deal in May 2018.[61] However, he was sacked on 1 December 2018 due to poor results leaving the club 21st in the league table.[62]
On 22 February 2019, Dunne joinedGraham Coughlan's coaching staff atBristol Rovers on a voluntary basis until the end of the season.[63] He was appointed as assistant manager in June 2019.[64] Dunne was caretaker manager of Rovers for the FA Cup second round replay againstPlymouth Argyle where he oversaw a 1-0 win.[65]
Following Coughlan's departure toMansfield Town in December 2019, Dunne joined him at the Nottinghamshire club as assistant manager.[66] Dunne was sacked from the post on 28 October 2020.[67]
Dunne joined League Two clubStevenage on 1 December 2020, taking on the role of assistant manager toAlex Revell.[68] After a week in his new position, Dunne left his role at the club for personal reasons.[69]
In March 2021, Dunne returned to Colchester United to assist interim managerWayne Brown.[70]
In January 2022, following the return of Wayne Brown as interim manager, Dunne again returned to the club as interim assistant coach.[71] On 17 May 2022, Brown and Dunne were given the job on a permanent basis.[72] On 18 September 2022, Brown and Dunne were sacked by Colchester.[73]
On 21 October 2022 Dunne was again appointed assistant manager toGraham Coughlan at League Two Newport County.[74] On 20 June 2024, Coughlan and Dunne departed the club by mutual consent.[75]
On 15 November 2024, Dunne returned to League Two club Gillingham, the club where he had started his career, in the role of Youth Team Manager.[76]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Gillingham | 1990–91[77] | Fourth Division | 26 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | 32 | 0 |
| 1991–92[78] | Fourth Division | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| 1992–93[79] | Third Division | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| 1993–94[80] | Third Division | 37 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 0 | |
| 1994–95[81] | Third Division | 35 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 39 | 1 | |
| 1995–96[82] | Third Division | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 115 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 134 | 1 | ||
| Colchester United | 1995–96[6][83] | Third Division | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| 1996–97[84] | Third Division | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 1 | |
| 1997–98[85] | Third Division | 25 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4[a][b] | 0 | 33 | 2 | |
| 1998–99[86] | Second Division | 36 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 39 | 0 | |
| Total | 98 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 112 | 4 | ||
| Dover Athletic | 1999–2000[12] | Conference | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 | |
| Colchester United | 1999–2000[12] | Second Division | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| 2000–01[87] | Second Division | 34 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 39 | 1 | |
| 2001–02[88] | Second Division | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | |
| Total | 62 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 69 | 3 | ||
| Career total | 287 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 327 | 10 | ||
| Team | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | Win % | |||
| Colchester United (caretaker) | 18 August 2009 | 1 September 2009 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 025.0 |
| Colchester United | 27 September 2012 | 1 September 2014 | 95 | 27 | 20 | 48 | 028.4 |
| Cambridge United (caretaker) | 9 February 2018 | 2 May 2018 | 14 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 042.9 |
| Cambridge United | 2 May 2018 | 1 December 2018 | 26 | 8 | 4 | 14 | 030.8 |
| Total | 139 | 42 | 29 | 68 | 030.2 | ||
Colchester United
Colchester United Youth
Dunne's sonLouis was a member of the Colchester UnitedAcademy programme. He rapidly progressed through the age groups at the club, playing at higher levels. He was called up by Republic of Ireland under-15s in April 2013[94] and featured in Ireland's 3–0 defeat toFinland on 18 April 2013.[95]
