Bungay Town veteran Craig Hunting honoured after breaking club record
Craig Hunting (centre) receiving his plaque from Graeme Jolly, surrounded by his team mates. Also in the picture is Keith Jermy, business development manager for Alan Cook Removals and Storage Ltd who company have just become the club’s main sponsors, taking over from long-standing sponsors Waveney Truck Parts, who still sponsor the junior teams. One of those team players is James Fuller, also pictured. - Credit: Archant
Bungay Town’s veteran defender Craig Hunting was honoured on Saturday as he became the club’s all-time record appearance maker.
Craig Hunting pictured before Saturday’s win for Bungay Town over Thetford Rovers in which he broke the Black Dogs' all time appearance record. He is being presented with a trophy by Graeme Jolly, the previous record holder. - Credit: Archant
Before his 558th outing players and officials gathered on the pitch to see him receive a carved wooden plaque noting his achievement, presented by Graeme Jolly — the man whose record he has taken.
The 36-year-old, who was captain for the day, led the side to a 2-1 win over Thetford Rovers to put the icing on the cake, and said afterwards: “Bungay is where I have always wanted to play, the club I have played for since a boy and the club I love. This is a proud moment for me, but if it was not for managers picking me to play I would not have achieved it!”
Asked if he would try to push on towards 600 games, he said: “I don’ know about that — I’ll just take each game as it comes.”
His early games were when Jolly was still playing as a veteran, and he added: “It is good to receive this award from a bloke who is a real club legend.”
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Jolly said: “It has been good to hold this record for 16-17 years, but finally it is good to hand it on to someone like Craig, who I respect. I was being greedy holding both club records.”
That referred to the fact that he is still also the club’s all-time leading scorer, having hit 238 goals. And he is likely to hang on to that accolade for some years yet. Of the current squad, Dom Mirner has the best aggregate with 74.
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Hunting made his debut as a 15-year-old in 1998 when he came on as a substitute in a Wenhaston Charity Cup game.
Apart from a spell at Hempnall he has been a fixture in the side for most of the 21st century, serving as captain for several seasons, and leading by example. He has missed only one of the 21 games so far this season, and in his career he has scored 33 goals.
Bungay moved up to third in the Anglian Combination Division One table after a second-half winner from John Riches gave them all three points against Rovers. Tom Hunter got the other goal.
The Black Dogs are away to North Walsham Town tomorrow (2pm).
