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 Bryan Gunn is a former Scottish goalkeeper and manager. After learning his trade with Invergordon FC and Aberdeen (playing under the tutorage of Sir Alex Ferguson) in the early 1980s, he journeyed south of the border where he spent most of his playing career with Norwich City. He is most associated with the Cannaries after making close to 400 appearances during his twelve years at the club. This was followed by a brief spell back in Scotland with Hibernian before his retirement as a player in 1998.
He is one of only nine Norwich players to win the club's Player of the Year award twice, and the only goalkeeper to do so. He was made an inaugural member of Norwich City's Hall of Fame and his testimonial was played out between Norwich and Ferguson’s Manchester United. He also earned six caps for the Scotland national team in the early 90s.
1. Which clubs did you play for in your youth career?
I played for Invergordon FC in the North Reserve League from the age of 14, I also signed my schoolboy forms with Aberdeen then. When I was 15 I played for Ross County in the Highland Reserve League and in my final year of school before joining Aberdeen, I played for Nairn County in the Highland League. The fact that I had played with seniors players at a young age really helped my development.
2. Who were the best players you played with during your youth career?
I was lucky to play with many good players in my youth days but Eric Black, Neale Cooper and Paul McStay all stand out from our successful team that got to the quarter finals in the U-19 World Cup in Mexico in 1983.
3. Who were your role models as a young player?
I joined Aberdeen just as Bobby Clark was coming to the end of his career and I learned a lot from him. Alan Rough, who I trained with on Scotland duty and Ray Clemence, who I made my Norwich City debut against were other keepers that I admired as a youngster.
4. Who was your favourite coach at youth level?
Jock McKay was my first manager and coach at Invergordon and Teddy Scott at Aberdeen both played a major part in my early career.
5. If you had one piece of advice to today’s generation of youth football players, what would it be?
To work hard at both your football and your education as there are many pitfalls along the way.
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