Dunbar United Under-20’s Manager Stuart Allan discusses the highs and lows of the season so far

Currently sat 10th in the table, with a young squad, and a young new manager, it’s been a mixed start to the campaign for Dunbar United Under-20’s, but for new manager Stuart Allan he is extremely excited for the future for this squad. Five league games have been played so far, and Allan’s Dunbar find themselves 10th in the table, but for the young manager and young players, the feeling is that there is a lot more for them to give over the next few months.

Last season, Allan managed the Dunbar United Under-17’s side, in which many of the players from his successful side have made the step up to Under-20’s, and for the former Berwick, Crossgates and Tweedmouth goalkeeper who is only at the age of twenty-three now takes his first steps into management, Allan is not fazed that he has a very young side at this level and has full belief in his young squad. Allan added: “We have a lot of lads who are still in school, and many of the team have 4 years at this age group, so for being such a young side, I am proud of the team and how they have started so far. Our back four in our last game consisted of three sixteen-year-olds, and a lad who was celebrating his seventeenth birthday.”

It’s been a bit of a mixed start for Dunbar United-20’s within the league, albeit in their 5 league games so far, they have faced a few of the teams who find themselves towards the top of the table. Allan has nonetheless been extremely happy with the start so far with his team:

“It’s been an up and down season so far and has been a tough start to the season, we have played a lot of the teams who are towards the top of the league, Haddington and Syngenta, Hill of Beath etc. Last week against West Calder, the lads played tremendously, and we got a deserved win. It has been a learning curve for us all, especially the game against Hill of Beath, but the lads are learning every game.”

There has also been a lot of interest from Dunbar United senior team, with many of the 20s side already being involved on matchday on a Saturday, Allan was full of praise for the management of the senior side, willing to give his lads a chance within the first team:

“It is a brilliant chance for players to be involved within the first team, there has already been 3 players from our side who have made their debut for the senior team, Calum Richards, Dan Hall and Gregor Goldie, and we want more to be involved this season. We want Dunbar United to be a side where if you’re performing well for our youth sides, that the senior team will be watching and potentially be given an opportunity on a Saturday, and it’s great experience for our lads to be playing senior football too, as it no doubt helps them on a Friday with our games.”

Dunbar took on Stirling Albion in the Challenge Cup on Friday 30th September, ahead of the game, Allan claimed: “It’s going to be a big test for us, playing against an SPFL 20s side, we know they’ll be a very good side; however, we know what quality we have got. The lads have been brilliant, and last week against West Calder was our best performance, so hopefully we can take that into Friday night’s game against Stirling. We’re hoping for a big turnout to support the lads. There’s been over 100 people at our league games so far, and hopefully the town can come out in their numbers again to support us, and hopefully at the end of the night we’re through to the next round of the cup.”

Dunbar faced a narrow defeat in the cup, losing 3-2 to Stirling. However, the resilience of the team was evident, and it is clear this is just the beginning for this squad of the ‘Young Seasiders’.