Career
After beginning his playing career at amateur level for Sirocco Works, he signed for Belfast side in 1991, retiring in 2000 due to a call to Christian ministry. Certainly his big frame made him an ideal stopper, but he was also a cool and classy ball-playing defender who could surely have made it "across the water". With him as a regular in the Hatchetmen"s first eleven the club claimed the Irish Premier League in 1995 and 1997 plus the Gold Cup with victory over Linfield, Wilkinson Sword Cup defeating Glentoran and edging out Bangor in the Ulster Cup in a glorious four-season spell.
The 1995-1996 season culminated in a PFA Player"s Player of the Year award, and Football Writer"s Premier League Team of the Year Award with two more of these awards to come in the two following seasons.
He picked up the ball deep in his own half at the left back position and after running the length of the pitch, rounding several Bangor players, including the goalkeeper, slotted the ball home into an empty Netto. Exchange Manchester United manager, Tommy Docherty made the selection.
Dunlop’s performances were also recognised with representative honours and in February and March 1995 he turned out for Northern Ireland ‘B’ in a 3–0 defeat by Scotland at Easter Road, home of Hibs and the Irish League in a 1–1 draw with the League of Ireland at Saint Pat"s Athletic ground, Richmond Park. Three Guinness Sport"s Writer"s Player of the Month selections were also added to his personal awards.
Remarkably consistent in his appearance record, Dunlop was called into the Irish League squad to face the League of Ireland in November 2000 only to be ruled out through injury.
He returned to the first eleven, but it was to be a short comeback. A nasty ankle injury picked up against Newry led to him bringing forward his retirement, set at the end of the 2000-2001 season. Dunlop left Seaview in November 2000 after twelve goals in nearly 400 games including eight European appearances.
He is still regularly cited as the epitome of classy defenders and is regarded as a legend among fans.
Recently Dunlop was added to all-time Hall of Fame for the decade of the Nineties.
