15 years of Lewis Dunk

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Today marks 15 years since the skipper made his Albion debut.

Nick Szczepanik

2025-05-01T13:05+01:00

Lewis Dunk has made 488 Albion appearances since his debut in 2010. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Captain, leader, legend - words on a banner at Stamford Bridge that apply to former Chelsea captain John Terry, but which can equally describe our very own Lewis Dunk, who grew up idolising the Blues skipper, and who made his Albion debut 15 years ago today.

Manager Gus Poyet had noted the tall 18-year-old’s performance in an FA Youth Cup tie against Everton at Withdean and handed him a first start in an undistinguished goalless draw away to MK Dons - an interesting coincidence, as Brighton-born Dunk had come from the Wimbledon youth system, which was disbanded when the club moved to Milton Keynes.

488 appearances and 31 goals later, the former Varndean pupil has become one of the major figures in the history of the club, captain in what has been unquestionably the greatest period in Albion history.

Lewis Dunk made his Albion debut on 1 May 2010. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

However, that game at Stadium:MK did not lead immediately to stardom. With Tommy Elphick and Gordon Greer fixtures in the centre of defence, he made only eight appearances in the League One title-winning season, three of them in the FA Cup. But an unlucky injury to Elphick before the club moved into the Amex gave Dunk his big chance, and he took it so effectively that Elphick was sold to Bournemouth.

As Albion established themselves in the Championship, Dunky became a fan favourite as the Amex crowd warmed to his whole-hearted efforts and appreciated his hard work to develop his game. An England under-21 call-up followed, although he did not play.

There were setbacks, such as extra competition for places when Matthew Upson arrived on loan, and there was a red card in a 3-0 defeat at Palace. But the trajectory was mostly upwards. He scored his first goal in a League Cup tie at home to Cheltenham Town, and opened his league account with two against Charlton Athletic in August 2014.

Lewis Dunk scored his first league goal in August 2014. 📷 by Bennett Dean.

There were play-off disappointments, none greater than when he gave Albion the lead at home to Sheffield Wednesday on a memorable evening in 2016, only to be fouled as Wednesday equalised and went on to the Wembley play-off final.

But, like everyone at the club, he swallowed that disappointment and, along with new centre-back partner Shane Duffy, formed an almost impenetrable barrier as Chris Hughton led Albion into the Premier League for the first time. “Our pockets are ready for Sergio Aguero and the rest” he joked to reporters in the players’ tunnel after the promotion-clinching victory over Wigan Athletic.

The Dunk-Duffy partnership continued to thrive at the top level, the pair throwing themselves in the way of countless shots as Albion looked to establish themselves as a Premier League force. He scored his first top-flight goal in the 2-1 victory over Arsenal, but it was clean sheets that he relished. Albion managed ten that first season, including in the 1-0 victory over Manchester United that guaranteed safety.

Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy were the defensive partnership that got Albion promoted. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Full England recognition followed, and he began the reign of Graham Potter wearing the captain’s armband, passed on by Bruno in an emotional moment during the final home game of the 2018/19 season. Never a shouter, he has led by example on and off the field as Albion have hit previously undreamed-of heights - the highest league position in the club’s history, two Wembley FA Cup semi-finals and a first-ever foray into Europe.

After last Saturday’s 3-2 victory over West Ham United, head coach Fabian Hurzeler singled Dunk out in the dressing room. “That’s a great skipper,” he said. “He’s always there for you.” Captain, leader, legend. And as John Terry was at Chelsea, he’s one of our own.