Dunbar, 33, made his debut for Leiston in the summer of 2012. Spread over three spells at the Blues, he heads towards his appearance milestone proud of what he has achieved so far and looking ahead to more.

“I must admit I’m very proud to have made so many appearances so far,” the former Ipswich Town academy player said.

“To be that consistent, play that many games each season for as long as I have. I know when I’ve eventually finished in the game, I will look back at the number of games played and feel proud.

“Not that I’m thinking of stopping yet, fingers crossed there are many more appearances to come.”

Dunbar has spent most of his playing career at left-back and is considered by many in the non-league scene as one of the best defenders in the business. He joined Leiston from then Conference North, Bishop’s Stortford in 2012.

“I could never have imagined playing 450 games for one club when I made my debut for Leiston back then,” he said.

And Dunbar admits as well as the way Leiston is run off the pitch, it has also been the football on the pitch that has seen him return to Victory Road on two occasions after heading firstly to Bury Town in 2013 for three years, and then Stowmarket, in 2019, during the covid-hit seasons.

“The Club is so well run, so much credit goes to the guys behind the scenes,” he said.

“On the pitch the philosophy and the way Leiston want to play football has rarely changed in my spells here, even with different managers. And it’s a great family club. I’ve been lucky to play under some very good managers, very good teams and it’s always been a Club you want to be a part of.

“You get a lot of teams at our level (Step 3) want to play direct; it’s not me, it’s not Leiston, they have invariably always wanted to play it on the floor. I can play direct of course, but it’s not my preference. That’s been a big reason to want to stay here.”

Dunbar has won the Suffolk Premier Cup with Leiston and reached the Step 3 promotion play-offs twice. He’s been part of some very strong Blues sides, and always at Step 3.

I rather cruelly ask him to pick a few stand-out performers he has played with. He admits it’s a very difficult task.

“There have been a lot of very good players at Leiston over the years I have played with, I could be here all day,” he admits.

“Will Davies in most recent times of course is now playing for Fleetwood, Matt Blake was unbelievable the season we reached the play-offs, Chris Henderson, Byron Lawrence, Patrick Brothers, Tom Bullard, Joe Jefford. And again, more recently, Rossi Jarvis, I’d loved to have played with him more when he was younger.

“Two outstanding goalkeepers in Marcus Garnham and Sam Donkin. And we have a host of young players now coming through who are getting better all the time and are going to be seriously good players. Many have great quality. I’ve been lucky to play with so many good players here.”

Reaching the play-off semi-finals twice, as well as winning the Premier Cup are two stand-out features for Dunbar, while he admits the toughest moment was leaving Leiston in 2019 for Stowmarket, a situation he was glad everyone could move on from on his return a couple of seasons later.

Club captain now, Dunbar says Leiston have improved him as a footballer, admits he is still learning as a player, and is proud to be captain. So, what next? 500?
“500 appearances. Who knows?” he said.

“I can’t see too much changing personally, but things can change in people’s lives. Right now, though, I’m very happy with the way things are.”