Isaac Dunn hopes he can one day follow in his dad’s footsteps at Rovers after a brilliant year in his young career.
The midfielder has had a rapid rise since the start of the season, shining for the Under-21s and even spending time around the senior squad.
David Dunn had quite the career at Rovers and now he is able to pass on his experience and advice.
“I don’t think he’s too pushy, he doesn’t really push me to be a footballer. He wants me to do well but he’s very good with me when it comes to football,” Isaac told the club channels.
“He gives me the right advice when I need it and when I’m not doing too good he will pick me up.”
The youngster added: “My journey at Blackburn started back when I was in the 6s and I have been here ever since.
“At under-8s, I was told I was going to play down (an age group) and that is probably the best thing that has happened to me. I wasn’t physically ready for my own age group but at under-12s I made the push back.
“Ever since then, I have been kicking on and it has been good being a scholar. It has been a big thing in my family and if I can follow in his footsteps, it will be very good.
Dunn was playing for the Under-18s at the start of the season and admits he didn’t expect things to progress so quickly.
“I wasn’t even getting in the 18s team at the start of the season and then I got a run of games, pushed a bit,” he recalled.
“It all came as a surprise, to be honest. The first time I got called up to the first team, I didn’t know until the day of the game.
“I was shocked, to be honest. I rang my dad straight away. It was a big surprise. Being around the first team gives you different experiences.
“Obviously, being with the 18s at the start of the season, I didn’t expect it to come. When it did, it was a brilliant opportunity.”
Coming into the senior ranks can be a daunting prospect for any young player, but Dunn was immediately made to feel welcome.
Having youth team-mates Matty Litherland and Harley O’Grady-Macken around the squad also helped the midfielder make the adjustment.
“They have been really good with me and made me feel welcome ever since the first time I trained with them,” Dunn insisted.
“Everyone invited me in and had conversations with me. Matty and Harley helped me out a lot as well, I took a lot from it and hopefully I can get many more in the future.”
He continued: “It’s a big difference, to be honest. Just everything about it, even getting your kit rolled out for you at the start of the game and playing in stadiums. Obviously, you get that with the Youth Cup but that is just one night.
“I took a lot from the experience. The fans being there, I am a Blackburn fan myself and my mates were in the crowd.
“In the future, I can take the experiences and help other lads. We had Frank Vare come in and I think I helped him out.”
Rovers’ Academy has been a success story for many years and Dunn can take encouragement from the number of players who have gone on to become established in the first team.
One player, in particular, served as a source of inspiration while he was watching from the stands at Ewood Park.
“It is really inspiring. The amount of players who have come through the Academy, it is incredible,” Dunn smiled.
“Adam Wharton being one of them, he is probably one of my footballing idols, watching him from the stands a few seasons ago.”
Now he has had a taste of life as a Rovers player, the 16-year-old is hungry to kick on and make the most of any opportunities which come his way.
“So far this season, it has been great experience,” he said. “I think it has been really important for me.
“Also getting regular minutes in the 21s and developing there, I think it is going well for me and hopefully I can push on more until the end of the season.”
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