Player Focus on Laurie Dunsire

Since everyone knows it has always been myself doing the "interviews" for the player focus section I thought this occasion I'd cut through that and just write this from myself - Laurie Dunsire. It's really amazing how much can happen in what is only a small amount of time sometimes, but it is only about 14 months ago now that a group of guys who played 5-a-side football together each Tuesday night at The World of Football in Edinburgh met up to discuss the possibility of forming an Amateur Football team. Apart from myself the only people who attended that meeting who are still involved with the club are manager John Gray and midfielder Mark Smith. But it was on that day that Fountainbridge Football Club was born and although since then we have certainly had our fair share of low points, I can truthfully say I am very proud of how far the team has come.

9th place in the Minto Hotel 2nd Division might not sound like much to a lot of people, but for each and every player who fought in any match for Fountainbridge in season 2007/08 there can be a degree of pride taken in what can be seen as an achievement for a new team such as ourselves. Before I get onto myself I'd like to firstly thank John Gray for taking the unenviable task of managing the side and for keeping us all in line throughout a difficult season. Special mention has to go to captain Barry Fearn who showed what an asset he is to our team both on and off the pitch on countless occasions over the past year, also to Keith Alexander who has also become a vital part of our team with his ridiculous amount of goals! Ian Fleming as well who not only has been a fantastically consistent peformer for the club, but has also now taken up a role as Assistant Manager to John for next season. And to every other member of the team from goalkeepers to strikers who have contributed to this club throughout its short existence - thanks to you all.

But next season I will no longer be a member of the Fountainbridge playing squad - unfortunate for myself, maybe not quite so unfortanate for Fountainbridge or to the opposition teams! I've never been the most technically gifted player - to say the least - but I'd like to think what I lack in skill I make up for in hard work and, erm, tenacity?

Maybe some would argue I'm just a dirty b*stard but I feel tenacious and maybe hard tackling sounds better! Anyway my final record will say 13 appearances in total for the Bridge, 10 of them from the start - and possibly my favourite statistic is the fact I only recieved one yellow card throughout the season, and no red cards! Maybe I should extend my gratitude to the referees for that one...

I am disappointed in having to leave the club so soon, and I'd like to highlight that my reasons for this have nothing to do with the team itself but the fact I have had to relocate to pastures new. But I will continue to be part of Fountainbridge in a staff capacity as I will be updating and maintaining the club website and doing all I can from a distance. When possible I will also try and get to at least a few matches in the new season and hopefully one day in the not so distant future I can return in a playing role too - well presuming I could get a game again that is!

Finally to everyone at the club good luck for the future and even with myself leaving I know the club can go from strength to strength with John at the helm and of course Barry as captain, and now Ian as assistant manager. I'd also like to point out if anyone else would like to be involved in more than just playing then please feel free to discuss it with John as we can always do with an extra pair of hands to help run things at Fountainbridge.

Thanks for everything lads,

Laurie

Other Player Focus
Ian Fleming
Barry Fearn
Keith Alexander