Mark Bunn (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Mark John Bunn is an English
footballer who plays for Blackburn Rovers
as a goalkeeper in the Premier League.
, Greater London
, Bunn started his career with Tottenham Hotspur
as a trainee but joined Northampton Town
before he was offered a professional contract.
He made his first team debut in a 3–0 victory over Queens Park Rangers
in the first round of the League Cup
in August 2005. He was given his league debut by then-manager John Gorman
against Nottingham Forest
in August 2006. Bunn made his 100th appearance for Northampton Town
in a 2–0 victory over Oldham Athletic
on 19 April 2008. His impressive performances ousted long term first choice keeper Lee Harper
, who subsequently left Sixfields for Milton Keynes Dons
.
Bunn has, to date, saved four penalties in his career, against Rotherham United
, Tranmere Rovers
, Peterborough United
and Reading
. On 27 April 2007, he won the Northampton Town player of the season award finishing ahead of Jason Crowe
and Chris Doig
.
Colin Calderwood
, Bunn's former manager at Northampton and manager at the time of Nottingham Forest
made an inquiry about signing the young goalkeeper in July 2007 with apparent interest also coming from Nottingham Forest's East Midlands rivals Derby County
.
subject to a medical. The signing was completed two days later on transfer deadline day, on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee, believed to be over £1million. He made his Blackburn debut in the FA Cup
third round tie against Blyth Spartans
.
Bunn signed for Leicester City
on loan for a month on 16 February 2009, after first choice keeper David Martin suffered an injury. He made his debut a day later in a 2–2 draw against Hartlepool United
, saving a penalty kick
in a 1–0 win over Bristol Rovers
on 21 February.
Bunn was recalled by Blackburn at the start of March, after first choice keeper Paul Robinson suffered an injury during Blackburn's 2–1 victory against Hull City
. Despite his recall Bunn failed to make any further appearances for Rovers that season.
In August 2009, on the eve of the new season, Bunn joined Sheffield United
on a month's loan that was subsequently extended to a six month deal later the same month. He made his debut in United's first game of the season, keeping a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw against Middlesbrough
. Bunn started the season as first choice keeper but a loss of form saw him dropped to the reserves. Following injuries to the other keepers at the club he was restored to the first team towards the end of the year and subsequently signed an extension to his loan deal, keeping him at Bramall Lane
for the remainder of the season. Bunn's improved form helped to cement him as the first choice keeper for the season and he was ever present until and injury to Robinson persuaded Blackburn Rovers to invoke and early recall to Ewood Park
in March, with Bunn departing having played thirty five games for the Blades. At the start of the 2010–11 campaign, Bunn changed his shirt number from 38 to 13. On 24 August 2010, he started the second round League Cup tie at home to Norwich City in a 3-1 victory. On 22 September 2010, he started Blackburn's third round League Cup game against Aston Villa in a 3-1 defeat at Villa Park
. He made his Premier League debut on 28 December 2010 in a 3-1 away win against West Bromwich Albion
coming on as a half-time substitute for Paul Robinson who unfortunately suffered an injury during the game at The Hawthorns
. February 2011 saw him sign an extension to his existing contract to keep him at the club until the summer of 2013.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
footballer who plays for Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
as a goalkeeper in the Premier League.
Northampton Town
Born in SouthgateSouthgate, London
Southgate is an area of north London, England, primarily within the London Borough of Enfield, although parts of its western fringes lie within the London Borough of Barnet. It is located around north of Charing Cross. The name is derived from being the south gate to Enfield Chase...
, Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
, Bunn started his career with Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
as a trainee but joined Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
before he was offered a professional contract.
He made his first team debut in a 3–0 victory over Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
in the first round of the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
in August 2005. He was given his league debut by then-manager John Gorman
John Gorman (footballer)
John Gorman is a Scottish former football player and coach. He is currently Assistant Manager at MK Dons in the English League One....
against Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
in August 2006. Bunn made his 100th appearance for Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
in a 2–0 victory over Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
on 19 April 2008. His impressive performances ousted long term first choice keeper Lee Harper
Lee Harper
Lee Charles Philip Harper is an English footballer who was most recently player-manager of Kettering Town. He plays as a goalkeeper.-Playing career:...
, who subsequently left Sixfields for Milton Keynes Dons
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
.
Bunn has, to date, saved four penalties in his career, against Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
, Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
, Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
and Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
. On 27 April 2007, he won the Northampton Town player of the season award finishing ahead of Jason Crowe
Jason Crowe
Jason William Robert Crowe is an English footballer who plays as a right back for Northampton Town...
and Chris Doig
Chris Doig
Christopher Ross "Chris" Doig , is a Scottish professional Association footballer who plays as a central defender. He currently plays for Pelita Jaya in the Indonesian Super League.-Queen of the South:...
.
Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood is a Scottish football player and coach. In November 2011 he was appointed as Chris Hughton's assistant manager at Birmingham City....
, Bunn's former manager at Northampton and manager at the time of Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
made an inquiry about signing the young goalkeeper in July 2007 with apparent interest also coming from Nottingham Forest's East Midlands rivals Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
.
Blackburn Rovers
On 29 August 2008, it was announced he would be joining Premier League club Blackburn RoversBlackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
subject to a medical. The signing was completed two days later on transfer deadline day, on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee, believed to be over £1million. He made his Blackburn debut in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
third round tie against Blyth Spartans
Blyth Spartans A.F.C.
Blyth Spartans A.F.C. are a professional football club who play in the Conference North, and are based in the town of Blyth, Northumberland, England. They are often the most Northerly team in whichever league or cup they are playing in. They are managed by former Spartans player Steve Cuggy.They...
.
Bunn signed for Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
on loan for a month on 16 February 2009, after first choice keeper David Martin suffered an injury. He made his debut a day later in a 2–2 draw against Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
, saving a penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
in a 1–0 win over Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
on 21 February.
Bunn was recalled by Blackburn at the start of March, after first choice keeper Paul Robinson suffered an injury during Blackburn's 2–1 victory against Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
. Despite his recall Bunn failed to make any further appearances for Rovers that season.
In August 2009, on the eve of the new season, Bunn joined Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
on a month's loan that was subsequently extended to a six month deal later the same month. He made his debut in United's first game of the season, keeping a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw against Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
. Bunn started the season as first choice keeper but a loss of form saw him dropped to the reserves. Following injuries to the other keepers at the club he was restored to the first team towards the end of the year and subsequently signed an extension to his loan deal, keeping him at Bramall Lane
Bramall Lane
-Cricket at the Lane:Bramall Lane opened as a cricket ground in 1855, having been leased by Michael Ellison from the Duke of Norfolk at an annual rent of £70. The site was then away from the town's industrial area, and relatively free from smoke. It was built to host the matches of local cricket...
for the remainder of the season. Bunn's improved form helped to cement him as the first choice keeper for the season and he was ever present until and injury to Robinson persuaded Blackburn Rovers to invoke and early recall to Ewood Park
Ewood Park
Ewood Park is a football stadium in the English town of Blackburn, Lancashire, and is the home of Blackburn Rovers Football Club — one of the founder members of the Football League and Premier League. Rovers have played there since they moved from Leamington Street in the summer of 1890. The...
in March, with Bunn departing having played thirty five games for the Blades. At the start of the 2010–11 campaign, Bunn changed his shirt number from 38 to 13. On 24 August 2010, he started the second round League Cup tie at home to Norwich City in a 3-1 victory. On 22 September 2010, he started Blackburn's third round League Cup game against Aston Villa in a 3-1 defeat at Villa Park
Villa Park
Villa Park may mean:United Kingdom* Villa Park, an association football stadium in Birmingham, EnglandUnited States* Villa Park, California, a small city in Orange County* Villa Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in DuPage County...
. He made his Premier League debut on 28 December 2010 in a 3-1 away win against West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
coming on as a half-time substitute for Paul Robinson who unfortunately suffered an injury during the game at The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns is an all-seater football stadium in West Bromwich, Sandwell, England, with a capacity of 26,484. It has been the home of West Bromwich Albion F.C. since 1900, when it became the sixth ground to be used by the club. The ground was the last Football League ground to be built in the...
. February 2011 saw him sign an extension to his existing contract to keep him at the club until the summer of 2013.
Club career statistics
- Statistics accurate as of 21:22, 21 August 2011.
Club Season League Cup Europe UEFAThe Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....Total Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Northampton 2005–06 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 2006–07 42 0 4 0 0 0 46 0 2007–08 45 0 6 0 0 0 51 0 2008–09 3 0 2 0 0 0 5 0 Total 90 0 14 0 0 0 104 0 Blackburn Rovers 2007–08 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2010–11 2010–11 Premier LeagueThe 2010–11 Premier League was the 19th season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2010–11 fixtures were released on 17 June 2010 at 09:00 BST. The season began on 14 August 2010, and ended on 22 May 2011...3 0 3 0 0 0 6 0 2011–12 2011–12 Premier LeagueThe 2011–12 Premier League is the twentieth season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2011–12 fixtures were announced on 17 June 2011 at 9:00 BST. The season began on 13 August 2011 and is due to end on 13 May 2012...0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 Total 3 0 5 0 0 0 8 0 Leicester City (Loan) Leicester City F.C.Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...2008–09 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 Sheffield United (Loan) Sheffield United F.C.Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...2009–10 32 0 3 0 0 0 35 0 Career Total 128 0 22 0 0 0 150 0
External links
- Mark Bunn profile at the Blackburn Rovers website