Gavin Jude Gunning (born 26 January 1991) is an Irish former footballer who is currently first-team pathways coach at Swindon Town.
He left Billericay for Solihull Moors in September 2019 before moving on to Gloucester City in March 2020 and then Chesterfield ten months later.
[11] In the second leg of the 2009–10 League Two Play-offs against Aldershot Town, Gunning set up a goal for Adam Le Fondre, as Rotherham won 3–0 on aggregate.
[13] In November 2010, Gunning joined League Two side Bury on loan until 11 December 2010,[14] before the deal was extended until the end of January 2011.
[22] After playing in a friendly match against Rotherham United, manager Alan Knill said he was satisfied with Gunning's performance, but thought that he, along with other players on trial with the club, needed to do more to get a contract.
[34] At the end of the 2011–12 season, Gunning was one of five Dundee United players alongside Paul Dixon, Gary Mackay-Steven, Johnny Russell and Jon Daly to be named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year.
[36] In the 2012–13 season, Gunning appeared in both legs of the third qualifying round of the Europa League, as Dundee United faced the Russian club Dynamo Moscow.
[45] On 4 September, Gunning was offered a three-match ban by the SFA after an incident involving Celtic's Virgil van Dijk, where he was alleged to have kicked out at his opponent.
[53] In the Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers, Gunning set up Dundee United's first goal, scored by Stuart Armstrong, in a 3–1 win.
[54] In the Scottish Cup final, Gunning started at centre-back, alongside Seán Dillon, as Dundee United lost 2–0 to St Johnstone at Celtic Park.
[59] After leaving Dundee United, Gunning was initially set to sign for Sheffield Wednesday, but the deal fell through after he failed a medical.
[65] He was released when the contract expired on 28 August, having made only one appearance for Oldham, against Middlesbrough in the League Cup at Boundary Park.
[67] On 12 April 2016, Dundee United announced that Gunning had left the club by mutual consent, describing the decision as "a private matter".
This came three days after a match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Tannadice, during which Gunning, described by the media as "a bizarre incident," had picked up the ball during play and walked off the pitch.
[69] Despite the club statement, manager Mixu Paatelainen subsequently clarified that while Gunning would not be considered for selection, he remained a Dundee United player and could return to training if he wished "or take an early summer holiday".
[72] Manager Jim Duffy tried to secure him on a longer stay at Cappielow, but was unable to compete with the money offered by clubs in England.
[73] After he chose not to extend his contract with Morton, Gunning returned to England and signed for EFL League Two club Grimsby Town on 5 January 2017 until the end of the 2016–17 season.
[78] Gunning signed a contract of undisclosed-length at newly-relegated League Two club Port Vale in July 2017, having impressed manager Michael Brown on trial.
[79][80] He was sent off on his second appearance for the "Valiants" after picking up two yellow cards in a 4–1 defeat to Leeds United in an EFL Cup first round match at Elland Road on 9 August; Brown described it as an "extremely stupid" dismissal.
[82] He added to his popularity at Vale Park with a headed goal in a 2–0 home victory over Oxford United in the first round of the FA Cup on 3 November.
On 24 September, he left Billericay and joined National League side Solihull Moors on a short-term deal in the hope of impressing manager Tim Flowers enough to win a longer stay at Damson Park.
[101][102] Having represented the Republic of Ireland at under-19 level, Gunning made his under-21 debut against Georgia in a 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match on 9 October 2009.
[104] On 11 January 2023, he was appointed co-interim head coach, alongside Steve Mildenhall, after Lindsey left Swindon for Crawley Town.
[105] He ruled himself out of getting the job permanently and returned to his assistant role when Jody Morris was appointed as the club's new manager on 31 January.
[112] Primarily a left-sided and left-footed centre-back, his wholehearted approach and eccentric personality earned him the nickname "Mad Gav Gunning".