Dunbar United: Grant Thomson toasts 400 appearances for club

The Seasiders stalwart reached the milestone in the South Challenge Cup last weekend against Peebles Rovers and added to his tally on Saturday as the club reached the second round of the Scottish Cup with victory over Edinburgh University.

Thomson and his team-mates will now face East Fife next month as they look to write another chapter in the club’s history books.

He said: “They keep on coming.

“It is crazy how big these games have been and it shows where Dunbar are going.

“We have been promoted and are now in the second round of the Scottish Cup.

“Hopefully, they can keep coming in the future.

“I would say, going by opposition, it is the first time I have played against an SPFL team and I will go again and say it is the biggest game I have played in.”

Grant Thomson and Dunbar Utd have enjoyed a memorable few seasons (Image: Newsquest)

The New Countess Park side have enjoyed impressive results in the Scottish Cup in recent seasons, previously knocking out Highland League side Clachnacuddin. The 33-year-old felt the town had a part to play in trying to create another cup shock.

He said: “Dunbar is a proper community club.

“It is family orientated and community orientated.

“We have got Dunbar Colts coming to games and loads of families as well.

“It is massive and the whole town will be behind us.

“There will be posters round the town, schoolchildren will be there and we are looking forward to it.”

Thomson, who made his debut away to Broxburn Athletic in 2009, told Courier Sport how the club had changed “in every department” since he first pulled on the black and white stripes.

Training now takes place on an artificial surface, the club has gained its SFA licence allowing entry to the country’s most prestigious cup competition, while players and management have come and gone over the 14 years.

He stressed “everything had changed for the better”.

Ahead of the game against Peebles, which Dunbar won 2-1, Thomson was presented with a trophy to mark the milestone.

Kevin Haynes and Dunbar United have an historic Scottish Cup contest to look forward to (Image: Newsquest)

The defender, who lives in the town and works as an electrical maintenance technician at nearby Torness Power Station, described what it meant to be part of the side who are enjoying life back in the Premier Division.

He said: “I am just proud to represent my local team.

“I went to school in Dunbar, I live in Dunbar and to be part of the community club – it is a proud moment.”