Young defenceman joins ranks

East London Advertiser: Stevie Dunnage (back row, far right) played for Romford as a junior (pic: John Scott)Stevie Dunnage (back row, far right) played for Romford as a junior (pic: John Scott) (Image: Archant)

London Raiders have announced the signing of teenage defenceman Stevie Dunnage ahead of their National League double-header this weekend.

Dunnage, 19, is a former Romford junior who came up through the ranks before joining Slough and has played more recently with Chelmsford Warriors.

A Collier Row resident, Dunnage regularly played for the South East Conference during his junior career, having followed elder brother David into the sport, and competed in numerous tournaments overseas, winning a gold medal in Finland when just 11 years old.

He has played for Raiders assistant coach Alan Blyth in the past and counts Jacob Ranson and Lewis Jones as former team-mates.

A stay-at-home defenceman, Dunnage – who works in event security – fills a gap created by the sudden departure of David Oliver last weekend as Raiders prepare to host their namesakes from the Isle of Wight at Lee Valley tomorrow (Saturdayy, 5.30pm), before visiting MK Thunder on Sunday.

A club statement said: “Stevie is looking forward to the challenge and is relishing the opportunity to develop his game and work at a higher level, whilst working again with assistant coach Alan Blyth.”

Danny Marshall’s men are looking to end a four-game losing run having slumped to a 13-3 defeat at Invicta last weekend.

Goalie Michael Gray was forced out of the action with an injury early in the second period, with Raiders already 6-1 down, and with no regular back-up available Ross Wilkinson took over as an emergency stand-in.