TERRY Dunfield has fallen in love with football again. And that is good news for Macclesfield Town - and their up-and-coming youngsters.

The 26-year-old Canadian has bounced back from seeing a Premier League career slip away - and a serious injury - to find happiness in the Cheshire town and its team.

As a 19-year-old contemporary of Shaun Wright-Phillips - the pair lodged together briefly - Dunfield played for Manchester City against big guns such as Gianfranco Zola and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank.

But a top-flight career never really got going after a loan, followed by a permanent move away from Maine Road. Then a devastating injury pulled the rug from under his talented feet.

"It all came to quickly for me at City and when I went on loan to Bury I enjoyed playing every game and was glad to sign when offered a contract," he said.

"Still City were good to me - and even better later on when I had to return."

Dunfield left the Blues after just two first-team games under Kevin Keegan and had two good years with the Shakers, but his third was interrupted by a knee injury that took 30 agonising months out of his career.

Connection

"I had been lucky enough to be training back at City for five months under Alex Gibson and Jim Cassell and physio Robin Sadler at their academy," he added.

"Because of the City connection with then Macclesfield manager Ian Brightwell and his assistant Asa Hartford, I was offered a trial at Macclesfield and a week later I signed."

Dunfield, now Macc's captian, has been back playing regular football since the start of last season.

He said: "I take nothing for granted and have rediscovered my love for the game.

"I take every training session seriously and every game even more so. It's just a privilege to have the perfect career."

His eagerness to make the most of his second chance has seen Dunfield volunteer to coach Macc's Under-16s team, taking charge of training and Sunday morning games.

And he is equally happy with life in Macc.

"I love walking through the streets and just bumping into fans and having a chat. It's great and a thrill to be part of the community," he added.

"I am simply honoured and proud to be captain of Macclesfield Town. I came to Macclesfield from west coast Canada as 16-year-old and have been in love with the place ever since.

"By the age of seven I already knew that all I wanted to do was play in the European leagues.

"I briefly moved to Stockport, where I was in digs with Shaun Wright-Phillips, but Macclesfield is my home and to be captain of its football team is fantastic.

"We changed our system and started passing the ball more which suits the players we have at the club and at the moment everyone is working hard for ach other and throwing themselves into every challenge."

Macc league form: LWWWL

Brentford league form: DWDDW

Key opponent: Nathan Elder - Young striker will be a threat

Prediction: Brentford 1 Macc 0 - Macc are tough to predict but Brentford are a strong side

Agree with the prediction? Have your say.

You can get 10/1 on Macc winning 1-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.



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