Glenn Dunlop

Glenn Dunlop (born 12 May 1968 in Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a retired Northern Irish footballer who played as a central defender. After beginning his playing career at amateur level for Sirocco Works, he signed for Belfast side Crusaders in 1991, retiring in 2000 due to a call to Christian ministry.

Still regarded as one of the most accomplished players ever to grace the Irish League, Glenn Dunlop provided the back-bone to one of unfashionable Crusaders’ greatest ever sides. 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”.

Signed by Crusaders in the summer of 1991, Dunlop took a season to establish himself and in his first full season received a nomination for Guinness Sport's Writer's Player of the Year award at Seaview. 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, Wilkinson Sword Cup and Ulster Cup in a glorious four season spell. The 95'-96' season culminated in a Player's Player of the Year award.The 96'-97' season saw him grab a Goal of the Season award.

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 and the Irish League in a 1-1 draw with the League of Ireland. Three consecutive Irish League all-star selections were also added to his 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 Crusaders first eleven, but it was to be a short come-back. A nasty ankle injury picked up against Newry led to him bringing forward his retirement, set at the end of the 2000/01 season.

Dunlop left Seaview in November 2000 after twelve goals in nearly 400 games and eight European appearances. He is still regularly sited as the epitomy of classy defenders and is regarded as a legend among Crusaders fans. Recently Dunlop was added to Crusaders all-time Hall of Fame.

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