NAME: NYREN CLUNIS

SHIRT NUMBER: 7

POSITION: MIDFIELD/STRIKER

Team you support and your childhood footballing hero?

I'm from an Arsenal family, so I’ve supported the Gunners my whole life. The one player that really stood out for me as a kid was Thierry Henry. My favourite player then remains one of my all-time favourites.

When did you first come to Champion Hill?

I came through Hamlet's youth system and played for the Youth Team in 2007/08. After progressing to the First Team, I played here till 2020.

Where do you play and can you play anywhere else?

In the middle of the park these days. I used to prefer playing out on the wing, but now I'm getting older, I find playing centrally a bit easier. I can play in all of the attacking positions

What other clubs have you played for previously?

After leaving in 2020, I spent half a season at Carshalton Athletic, then had a year with Kingstonian, before spending the last three seasons down the road with Cray Wanderers.

Any trophies in the cabinet?

All with Dulwich. 2012/13 Isthmian Division One South title winner, 2013 Isthmian League Charity Shield and 2017/18 Isthmian Premier Division playoff final winner.

Best player you've played with?

Erhun Otzumer whilst I was at Dulwich the first time around. He was literally the 'Turkish Messi’ and was a sheer joy to play alongside.

Toughest opponent?

Left-back Nathan Mavila. I get the better of the majority of full backs I face, but Nathan was tough: sharp, like a winger with a low sense of gravity which made it hard for me.

Best moment in football?

I have many great memories after so many seasons, but the best ones are always winning something – so I'd say gaining promotion at the end of 2017/18 just shades it. It was such a difficult season after being chucked out of Champion Hill. The celebrations were incredible.

Best goal you've ever scored?

Not my best technically, but my favourite is definitely my 100th for the club away at Lowestoft. After winning the ball in our half, I started driving at their CB, knocked it past him and shot 'Thierry Henry style' with my right foot

from wide left of the area to place it into the far corner.

Favourite stadium you've played in?

I like Maidstone’s Gallagher Stadium. The atmosphere is always crazy – the fans are so loud. It’s a nice artificial pitch and as a club, they have very good facilities.

Hopes and ambitions for this season?

To get promotion! Nothing more, nothing less.

Tell us something about yourself none of us know?

I once played in an exhibition match against Brazilians Roberto Carlos and Kaka in the Stade de France in Paris.

Favourite other sports?

I quite like Tennis, Boxing and UFC – but football trumps all others.

If you could change one rule in football, what would it be?

You can take your shirt off when celebrating without the risk of getting booked.

This article originally appeared in the Dulwich Hamlet Match Day Programme

You can download PDFs of previous issues here.