Dunning, William

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Fullname: William Dunning
aka: Willie Dunning, Bill Dunning
Born: 2 Jan 1865
Died: 4 Jan 1902
Birthplace: Arthurlie
Signed: 1888
Left: 1889 (Glasgow Hibernian)
Debut: Celtic 5-1 Shettleston, Scottish Cup, 1 Sep 1888
Position: Goalkeeper
Internationals: none

Biog

Goalkeeper William Dunning was signed from Johnstone Juniors in 1888 to play for the fledgling Celts.

Having played in a number of representative games he made his competitive debut in Celtic’s first ever Scottish Cup tie – a 5-1 home victory over Shettleston on September 1st. He was to play for Celtic in the Glasgow Exhibition Cup final (the club’s first ever final), which Celtic lost 2-0 to Cowlairs, then regarded as a shock result as Celtic entered this hyped up as supposedly to be “invincible”. A real comedown and lesson learnt, although the tag like was PR hype to help sell tickets for the event. In any case, it was a minor set-back for the then new club.

The former St Johnstone man stayed just the one season, and departed Celtic Park for the short-lived Glasgow Hibernian in 1889 after just six Scottish Cup and three Glasgow Cup appearances for the Bhoys.

Celtic only lost one of those Scottish Cup & Glasgow Cup games he played in, which at the time were the pinnacle of the game in Scottish club football in those early days (league football hadn’t as yet begun). That defeat was a 2-0 defeat to Third Lanark, then a well established club and one of the most prestigious clubs in the footballing world.

On the other hand, Celtic did concede 11 goals in his appearances, but it should be remembered that in those early days the formations were along the lines of 1-1-10 or 2-2-8, so the goalkeeper was really the defence with little real support. Then again, for his time he was quite tall at 6ft, and so likely was able to hold his own.

He later moved to Aston Villa where he won the League Championship in 1894 and would be regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in England.

Dunning has gone down in history for a particular episode caused by himself on 12 September 1892, when already wore the Jersey of Aston Villa. The team was playing a game against Stoke City and was in a 1-0 lead when, two minutes from the end, a penalty kick was awarded to Stoke. Dunning then kicked the ball out of the pitch and, during the searches, the referee whistled the end of the game (having now past the 90 minutes) and to gave the victory to Villa. Subsequently, the regulation was amended in order to allow the adding of time for penalty kicks.

In 1895, he is reported to have gone to America and returned soon after but didn’t return to football.

Reported to have become a police officer in Bootle, but then worked in the docks and followed Southampton FC.

Bill Dunning would sadly suffer from regular bouts of ill health and in 1902 he died in Southampton from tuberculosis at just 37.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

none

Pictures

• Player Pics

Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Wednesday 08 January 1902

Tamworth Herald – Saturday 11 January 1902