Linnets’ skipper takes the floor in Q&A

King’s Lynn Town skipper Mike Clunan takes the floor in the latest Q&A column in Caney’s Corner.

Mike. When did the love affair with football begin?

My first real memory was watching my older brother Alex and his friend doing keepy-ups down our street trying to break their record each time.

I remember practising and practising with my white Nike football trying to beat their record in the back garden – I wasn’t allowed out on the street by myself.

I would then play 1v1 with my brother in the garden every day! If I am honest if it wasn’t for my brother Alex, I may have never even pursued a football career.

King's Lynn Town skipper Mike Clunan. Picture: Tim Smith — King’s Lynn Town skipper Mike Clunan. Picture: Tim Smith

You were at Norwich City’s Academy as a youngster. When did you start to realise you might not make it with the Canaries?

Being in the academy from such a young age, you are always convinced that you are the 1% that was going to make it.

I was on the journey with the likes of Kyle (Callan) McFadden and Reece Hall-Johnson who the Lynn fans will know well.

In my first year as professional there was a change of manager, and it felt like that was the beginning of the end for my journey at Norwich.

After being at the club for 12 years it was a shock to the system, but it was an experience that made me a better player and a better person.

You worked your way back up the non-League pyramid; what were your happiest memories between leaving NCFC and joining Lynn in 2015?

It was a tough couple of years after leaving Norwich as it was all I had known for so many years.

I was trying to find my way back into the game, travelling lots of miles and staying in unknown places for trials at clubs across the country.

I relied on my family massively for their support during that time which I will be forever grateful to them for.

It was quite a relief when I finally decided to start in non-League and begin a qualification in accountancy.

From then I had a clear path and could finally see what the next few years of my life were going to look like.

How did it feel back then signing for your hometown club and experiencing some golden years, including back-to-back promotions?

I didn’t really know what to expect when I first signed. After the first few weeks it felt like home.

I remember meeting Gary Setchell and negotiating my first non-League contract, we clicked straight away, and we are still good friends to this day.

The success we had as a football club was brilliant in the first few years.

The game that springs to mind is, of course, Warrington away, when Gashy (Michael Gash) bent one into the side netting in the 119th minute of the game.

Scenes! It was a party bus home all the way back to Bar and Beyond.

Scunthorpe United are a huge club. How much of a wrench was it to leave Lynn? And how much did you enjoy your time with the Iron?

It was a very difficult decision to leave Lynn. I was skipper of my hometown club, I had a career in accountancy alongside my football, and the arrival of my first son was imminent.

It took the best part of four weeks to make the decision; however, I felt it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.

I wanted to take myself out of my comfort zone and test myself with a new challenge.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Scunthorpe and met some great people, and the fact we achieved promotion in that final year makes it extra special. It’s an experience I will never forget.

You skippered the club back to the National League, a level you’ve played at before. Was there ever a point you thought you might stay?

Scunthorpe and I had conversations for me to stay on at the club.

However, after also speaking to King’s Lynn it was the right time for me to come home.

Of course, it was difficult to make the decision to leave Scunthorpe after just winning promotion.

But once the dust had settled it was clear that Lynn was the right decision for myself and my family.

Although the opportunity to play in the National League was very appealing, my motivation now is to get Lynn back there this season.

You’re a family man. How much did that, and Lynn’s decision to return to training locally again, affect your thinking?

My partner and two young boys had a huge part to play in my decision to come back to Lynn.

I was travelling over four hours a day, so this time is now spent with my family rather than on the A17.

Of course, I was also excited by the ‘new era’ of the football club; new owners, new manager and new team.

It is without doubt that Stephen Cleeve took the club forward from where it was when he first took over.

However, I think the ceiling for the potential of the football club has been raised with the TSI (Turn Sports Investments) takeover.

You’re skipper once again at Lynn after being captain at Scunthorpe. How does that make you feel and why do you think you’ve become so trusted with the armband?

It is always an honour to be named captain at any club, but to be named captain of your hometown club is extra special.

This does however come with extra pressures and responsibilities, a role which I will relish.

I try to be as disciplined and professional as I can on and off the pitch, which is most likely why managers trust me with the armband.

I will do my best to earn, not demand, the respect of my fellow team-mates as soon as possible and help lead them to a successful season.

There’s a real buzz around The Walks this summer. Can you feel it? How’s all the new signings and head coach James Rowe settling in?

You can feel the excitement around the town about the upcoming season.

There has been a lot of changes over the summer, both on and off the pitch, so the club is in a transition period, but the players are settling in well.

A lot have moved to the area, so I am doing my best to show them the best bits of King’s Lynn.

The gaffer has certainly made it clear that he expects high standards at all times which bodes well for the season ahead.

We need to create a strong, winning culture at the football club that can carry us to success this season.

Finally, what is Mike Clunan eyeing this season? Promotion? An FA Cup run? Both?

Our objective is promotion. This club is more than capable of competing in the National League so that is our goal for the season.

Promotions can be few and far between in the career of a footballer so I hope we can make this season one to remember.

Of course, a run in the FA Cup or FA Trophy would be great.

Those occasions against the bigger teams in the deeper rounds can often be a career highlight, but my focus is on getting King’s Lynn promoted.

The lowdown

Name: Mike Clunan

Age: 31

Lives in: King’s Lynn

High School: Springwood

Position: Central midfield

Former clubs: Norwich City (Academy), Boston United, Histon, Lowestoft Town, Dereham Town, Scunthorpe United

Current club: King’s Lynn Town

Honours (selected): National League North play-off final winner (2024/25), National League North champion (2019/20), Southern Premier Central Super Play-Off final winner (2018/19)

Sporting hero: Paul Scholes

Twitter: @mikeclunan

Five fast facts

Mike is an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualified accountant and has been for five years. He worked for Stephenson Smart for nine years

Clunan made 356 appearances and scored 56 goals during his first spell with the Linnets

His dad’s side of the family originates from Singapore. His grandmother came to the UK with his dad and his siblings after meeting his grandad who served in the RAF

The Linnets’ skipper made 82 starts during his two seasons with Scunthorpe United

Clunan scored once for the Iron, his goal coming during a 2-0 win over Warrington Town in March 2024

Quickfire questions

Restaurant or takeaway?

Film or series?

Bath or shower?

Tea or coffee?

Sweet or savoury?

Summer or winter?

Day or night?

Holiday or staycation?

Favourite food: Chinese