Rovers midfielder David Dunn has written an open statement to the supporters confirming his departure from the club at the end of the season.

In two spells at Ewood Park, the local hero has made 377 appearances in Rovers' colours, scoring 59 goals.





After progressing through Rovers' youth ranks, Dunny made his first team debut away to Everton in September 1998 at the age of 18.





He developed into one of the most gifted midfielders in the country, helping Rovers secure promotion back to the Premier League in 2000-01, winning the Worthington Cup in February 2002 and representing England against Portugal seven months later.

Following a three-and-a-half-year spell with Birmingham City, Dunny returned to Rovers in January 2007 and has gone on to captain the club on numerous occasions, winning the Goal of the Season award in 2012-13 for his dramatic last-gasp equaliser against Burnley.





As the curtain comes down on a distinguished and ‘fabulously enjoyable' playing career with the club this weekend, the 35-year-old has paid thanks to the players, staff and supporters for helping him fulfil all over his boyhood dreams.





David Dunn said:





"All good things come to an end, or so they say, and as my 27-year association with Blackburn Rovers comes to what I hope might only be a temporary close, I wanted to place some thoughts and debts of gratitude on record.





"Having first arrived at Ewood as an eight year old with the usual boyhood dreams, I am proud to say that what unfolded in the 27 years thereafter has been something of which I am exceptionally proud. I have lived the dream of playing for my home town club, during which time to be capped by my country, whilst wearing the blue-and-white halves, transcended even the wildest of those dreams. Having had the privilege to play for Rovers in front of my grandad, who as everyone knows has been a life-long inspiration, and more recently my two sons, are memories I will cherish forever.

"There have been some fantastic times and inevitably some not so good, and it is disappointing that I am not able to say my goodbyes with the club in its rightful position in the Premier League and certainly the last months of my Ewood playing career have not panned out with the game time I always crave, but now is not the time to dwell on negatives.





"I have played with some fantastic players and there have been some very good managers at various stages, all contributing to the most fabulously enjoyable playing career. It is on record that I am working towards the highest coaching qualifications I can achieve and one day, who knows, the dream may be resurrected in the Ewood technical area. For the short term however, I intend to carry on playing, knowing that my last starting appearance in the FA Cup win at Charlton confirmed that there was still something worthwhile to contribute.





"I would therefore like to express my sincere thanks to the Owners, Directors, Management, staff and team-mates (both current and former) for their contributions at different times. But last and never least, to the outstanding Rovers fans, many of whom have been around supporting and encouraging me for the entirety of my 27 years. There is a uniqueness about people in our part of the world, of which I am proud to be one and I do hope that in the near future you get back the Premier League team that you deserve. I hope you have had as much pleasure as I have.





"Like I said, it's been a privilege and an honour to represent you. Thank you to every single one of you."



