David Dunn arrived as Barrow AFC’s new manager yesterday having forged a good reputation as a coach in recent years, but it is worth remembering that the Bluebirds’ new man in charge enjoyed a successful playing career.

Having come through Blackburn Rovers’ youth system, Dunn made his senior debut as a substitute against Everton in September 1998.

He suffered relegation from the Premier League at the end of that season, but after establishing himself in the first team, he helped Graeme Souness’ side back into the top flight in 2001 after scoring 18 goals in the campaign.

The following year was also a successful one for Dunn, as he helped Blackburn win the League Cup by defeating Tottenham at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

Later in 2002, he won his one and only senior international cap for England when he replaced Steven Gerrard at half-time of the friendly match against Portugal at Villa Park.

He played in European competition for the first time in the 2002/03 season, reaching the second round of the UEFA Cup with Blackburn, but he was to leave Ewood Park the following summer, as Birmingham City paid £5.5 million for his services.

He scored on his debut for the Blues against Tottenham, but his time at St Andrews was marked by a succession of hamstring injuries that restricted him to 69 appearances in three-and-a-half years, during which time Birmingham were relegated from the Premier League. He returned to the top flight when he was re-signed by Blackburn boss Mark Hughes in January 2007.

In the 2009/10 season, he cemented his hero status further with the Rovers fans by scoring in both of their victories against fierce rivals Burnley.

Blackburn then fell into decline and three years after suffering relegation, Dunn left for a second time in 2015, having scored 59 goals in 378 appearances across his two spells.

He signed for Oldham that summer and was appointed caretaker player-manager in September, following the sacking of Darren Kelly, before being given the job permanently a month later.

However, he was relieved of his post in January 2016 and he coached Blackburn's under-23 side before being appointed as Blackpool's assistant manager in January this year, the role he left to join the Bluebirds.