Having come through the youth academy at Blackburn Rovers he spent time on loan with Bristol City, Rochdale, Blackpool, Torquay United and Macclesfield Town.

[citation needed] He began his career as a trainee with the Blackburn Rovers youth system, turning professional in February 1999.

[2] His Blackburn debut came on 31 October 2000, Dunning playing all of the 2–0 League Cup defeat away to West Ham United.

[7] The following month, he joined Conference North team Harrogate Town, teaming-up with his twin brother, Richard, and former York teammates Jamie Price and Dave Merris.

[12] As of 2019, Dunning resides in York, runs his own plumbing company and has coached a successful local amateur football team.