Connor Bunce explains ‘difficult’ decision to leave Clachnacuddin for Highland League title challengers Brora Rangers was motivated by hunger for silverware
Connor Bunce says he decided to leave Clachnacuddin for Bora Rangers in a bid to add silverware to his record.
The 23-year-old striker has impressed this season, scoring 13 times for the Lilywhites and helping to fire them to the North of Scotland Cup final.
Ironically, though, that match would prove to be a turning point in his decision to move on from Grant Street Park, which is just minutes from where Bunce grew up in Dalneigh.
“I knew about Brora’s interest probably at the start of this season,” Bunce explained.
“I got told by Clach that Brora were interested in signing me, but at that time I wanted to see how Clach started the season.
“As the weeks went on, there was more talking in the background which you hear about, so I just continued playing for Clach and then after the North of Scotland Cup final I saw the quality that Brora really had up close.
“That cup final was just a blur really, and after that I thought I could try and better myself by going there and trying it out.
“I’ve had the opportunity to leave for other clubs before, and I decided not to.
“If I can help the team they’ve got in any way possible to make them any little bit better than they already are, then I see that as a success to be honest.
“I’m 23 now, and I’ve been at Clach since I was 16. I’ve been in two North of Scotland Cup finals and been beaten in Brora in both of them, so I think the best place to go to win silverware is probably Brora.
“I have no doubt that Clach will be back, but it’s a bit of luck – do I stay and guess that they will, or do I go elsewhere and try to make it happen for myself sooner.”
Bunce had been in the Inverness Caledonian Thistle academy set-up before joining Clach at 15 years old, establishing himself in the first team a couple of years later after a loan spell at Inverness Athletic.
To an extent, he is starting all over again at Dudgeon Park, but he is looking forward to contributing to a team where the expectations are always high to deliver results.
“Clach really has helped me a lot,” Bunce reasoned.
“Getting regular game time at that age is one of the best things that can happen to a young footballer, especially in the Highland League.
“It was a bit of a shock when I first started playing, because I wasn’t strong enough or fast enough, so getting the regular game time was really beneficial. I owe them a lot for that.
“It hasn’t been an easy choice to make, but I’ve got to do what’s best for myself at the end of the day.
“Things have been going really well for me personally, I scored loads of goals for Clach this season, and hopefully I can take that into Brora.
“They have an absolutely cracking team, so I will need to get the head down, but I’m really looking forward to it.
“I don’t think they have a lot of options coming off the bench in the attacking half of the pitch, so I will get my chance, and when I do I have to take it.
“Steven Mackay is going to be really good for me too, because he was an attacking player who scored a lot of goals.
“Being in a title race is something that I’m not used to at all, so I’m stepping out of my comfort zone to help them.
“It will be really exciting, but also really good for my career and my development as well.”
