Billy Dunn has fallen back in love with football at Tooting & Mitcham.
Following a two-year absence from the game due to a loss of appetite for it, Dunn decided it was time to dust off the boots and is looking hungrier than ever in black and white this season.
Despite Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Horsham ending a run of 14 straight wins, the Terrors are still six points clear of Ryman South with five games to play, and Dunn’s 26 league goals have been a major part of that.
“I’ve never been a part of a team that’s had such good team spirit and team morale, we’re all together,” he said.
“Paul Dale is one of the best coaches I’ve had but him and manager Frank Wilson work really well together. We do a lot of bonding sessions like team meals and nights out which help a lot.
“I haven’t enjoyed football this much since I was 18 at Sutton United and I think that’s down to the coaching staff and my teammates.
“I’m playing with a smile on my face for the first time in years.”
Despite getting the smile back, his journey hasn’t been all plain sailing this season having left Imperial Fields to join Greenwich Borough in mid-December.
But he found it hard to adapt to a new playing style there under Gary Alexander and, after only scoring once in the league, he returned to Tooting in February.
“Nothing bad against Greenwich, I get along with Gary really well but they just played a different style and didn’t have the same togetherness as Tooting,” said the 25-year-old.
“Tooting’s my local club, I only live five minutes from the ground and with work taking up a lot of my time it was a no brainer to re-join in the end.”
Since returning to a more suitable system at Tooting, the rejuvenated frontman is revelling in the free role behind the striker.
“I’ve been playing the ten and I just seem to be getting on the ball in a bit more space to take shots,” added Dunn.
“I always score goals but I used to play on the wing for a few years and I wasn’t getting in the same positions that I am this year.
“I’m getting in the box, on the end of crosses and finding half a yard to get a shot off and this year it’s paying off and I’m feeling really confident.”
Alongside Dunn’s personal contribution, goals have become second nature for Wilson’s side.
Despite firing a blank at Horsham, Tooting’s 115 league goals are the highest from non-league step four and up and Dunn is confident it was just a blip.
“I reckon we will win every game from now until the end of the season because we haven’t just got 11 players, we’ve got a squad,” he explained.
“In previous games, we’ve had three or four of our top players out and the players that came in did a great job which is crucial if we want to win this league.”
This Saturday Tooting host South Park and their will be free admission for all as part of an events day.
Image courtesy of Sam Conquest with thanks
