Oldham Athletic move has brought me full circle, says Blackburn Rovers legend David Dunn

David Dunn may be starting a new life away from the club he served for most of his adult life, but you only have to spend a short time in his company to see that blue and white still courses through his veins.

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The 35-year-old was a fan before he started playing for Rovers, marvelling at the talents of Simon Garner, Ossie Ardiles and Gordon Cowans and the like, and he remains one now his Ewood Park playing career is over.

Not that he has any regrets at joining his new club, Oldham Athletic. Far from it.

Indeed he credits his summer switch to the Latics for rekindling an enthusiasm for the game he says was dampened during his final season with Rovers.

And, after 17 years playing in the top two divisions of English football, his decision to drop down into League One has, in his own words, brought him ‘full circle’.

“It’s refreshing and totally different to what I’ve been accustomed to,” said Dunn, who has featured in all six of Oldham’s league matches so far this season.

“I’ve probably had my backside wiped for 20 years, and I’ve been very privileged to have that, but that’s not the case here.

“It’s like I’ve come full circle. I’m back to cleaning my own boots again, and stuff like that, and I’ve not had that since I was 17. In fact, I’ve got two pairs of boots to clean now, as well (his son) Isaac’s!

“But it’s really good. The club has made me feel really welcome, it’s a great bunch of lads, and I’m back enjoying it.

“And that’s what I came here to do – enjoy it and get some minutes under my belt.”

But game time was not the only reason behind Dunn’s decision to turn down lucrative offers from abroad in favour of playing outside the Premier League and Championship for the first time in his career.

“I did it as well as I want to have a really good knowledge of every League One and League Two player and team,” said the former England international, who has completed his UEFA A and B Licences.

“Because at some point that’s probably where I’m going to get a chance to manage a football club.

“And I didn’t want to go in there, having played at a higher level, and all of a sudden for it to be like the unknown.

“I think a really good way to do that is by playing against players, as well, because you pick up a lot of things.

“But, at the minute, I’m loving playing football, so management is not really on my mind.

“But if an opportunity comes up, it would be something I would have to think about.

“Oldham is definitely a good move for me. Everyone in and around the club have been fantastic with me and I’m enjoying my football again.”

Dunn admits that was not always the case in his 14th and final season with Rovers.

He feels, when he was fit, he was underused.

“It was difficult when I was sat on the bench, fit and ready to go,” said Dunn, whose last appearance for Rovers, the emotional final-day home victory over Ipswich Town, was his first league start of the campaign.

“Because I felt I could have made a difference. I think if I’d played 10 more games we would have gone closer to getting into the play-offs than what we did.

“But it wasn’t to be, everyone moves on, and things will be what they will be.

“It probably best that I went and, as I say, I’m really enjoying it at Oldham.

“I couldn’t have asked for more, it’s been a great start, and I think I’ve already played more or less the same amount of minutes that I played in the whole of last season.”

When his Latics commitments allow, Dunn will be cheering on Rovers from the stands.

He has already been back to Ewood twice this season, his latest visit being last Friday’s 0-0 derby draw with Bolton Wanderers.

That result stretched Rovers’ winless start to the season to six games, a run which has surprised Dunn.

“It has, yes, given the group of players that they’ve got,” he said.

“Gary (Bowyer) has been able to bring seven players in, which has bolstered the squad, and, although Rudy (Gestede) and Tom (Cairney) have gone, it’s still a strong group.

“I played with them for two or three years and I think they should have performed better than what they have done so far.”

And when Dunn cannot get down to Ewood, he can now follow Rovers’ fortunes through Twitter after joining the social media network.

“It was just a spur of the moment thing,” said Dunn, who can be found on Twitter @daviddunny8.

“Me and a few of my mates were chatting and I was getting a bit of abuse on there and I wanted a pop back.

“So I decided to surprise a few and do it.

“Unfortunately the abuse hasn’t stopped because all the Burnley fans know I’m on it now.

“They’re all giving me a little bit of stick, but I’m giving them a little bit back.”

From a man who relished East Lancashire derbies more than most, we wouldn’t expect anything less.