Dunn Arthur “ATB” Image 2 The Corinthians 1901

Description

Whitby, Yorkshire born forward Arthur “ATB” Dunn played football for Eton College, and was a Cambridge University football blue in 1883 and 1884.

C.W. Alcock described Dunn, who usually played inside left as “A good centre forward, rather light, but has plenty of pluck, and is a sure shot at goal”, and “has great pace, and both dribbles and middles well”. Later in his playing career he moved into defence, appearing as right back for both of his England international appearances in 1892.

Dunn played in two FA Cup Finals for Old Etonians, contributing a pass to the winning the trophy 1-0 in 1882 against Blackburn Rovers, and being a runner-up in 1883 when his team lost 2-1 to Blackburn Olympic in extra time. During the latter match he went off with a knee injury early in the second half, an incident that many believed cost his side the Cup, as with no substitutes allowed in those days the Old Etonians had to play on with ten men. Both Finals were played at The Kennington Oval.

He played four times for England, starting with a 7-0 thrashing of Ireland at Liverpool on 24th February 1883 during which he scored twice. Almost exactly a year later he played against Ireland again as England this time won 8-1 in Belfast. His third cap came on 5rd March 1892 in a 2-0 victory over Wales at Wrexham, whilst his final international appearance was to end in a 4-1 win over Scotland at Ibrox Park, Glasgow, on 2nd April the same year.

Dunn also appeared for the Corinthians between 1886 and 1892, and the Granta football club, as well as representing London, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, and The South versus The North.

Dunn was also an active cricketer at Minor County level with appearances for Norfolk from 1886 and Hertfordshire in 1898, and was a member of The Free Foresters.

He was to die in his sleep on 20th February 1902 at the young age of 41. After his death the Arthur Dunn Cup was instituted in his memory, based on an idea he proposed shortly before his death. This is a football competition for ‘Old Boys’ teams of various leading independent schools, and was first competed for in the 1902-03 season. His only son, John H. M. Dunn, became a 2nd Lieutenant with The Royal Field Artillery and was killed in action on The Somme in September 1916.