Failed at Tottenham, reborn at Forest…the rise of Chris Gunter

September 2009 was a good time for Chris Gunter. Not only did he score his first goal in senior football, but he also triumphed from the halfway line in Soccer AM’s (the Sky Sports show) ‘Crossbar Challenge’ – not a bad month! But it has also been an exciting season for the Nottingham Forest defender, holding down the right-back position as Billy Davies’ side have stormed up the table and clung to the coattails of Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion as the club bid for their first return to the top flight of English football since 1999.

After years of mediocrity, which saw Forest suffer two relegations and drop into League One, The Reds’ fans have finally got a side to be proud of again and Gunter is one of those making a real name for himself at the City Ground. Players such as Lee Camp, Radoslaw Majewski and Dexter Blackstock have been making the headlines while the young Welshman goes about his business with a quiet poise. His goal away at Plymouth Argyle in September still remains the only one of his career but his steady defending and ability on the ball makes him stand out at Forest as a potential Premier League star.

As many footballers seem to, the 20-year-old started out as a striker for his local sides Durham Colts and Albion Rovers but he soon switched to full-back and was snapped up by Cardiff City at the age of eight. It was nine years later that he made his full debut for the Bluebirds in a League Cup match versus Barnet. And in 2007 the Newport-born defender’s career really started to take off as he won the Football League’s ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award. That summer the Welsh club turned down two bids for Gunter’s services from Everton but later that year they could not resist Tottenham Hotspur’s offer of £2 million, with Gunter completing his move to White Hart Lane on January 1 2008. He soon made his debut for the lilywhites in an FA Cup tie against Reading but first team opportunities were limited and, in March, Forest came calling. Originally he was only sent for a loan spell in the Championship, but the move was made permanent last summer, as Gunter switched North London for the East Midlands. A four-year contract was agreed with Billy Davies’ men, along with a transfer fee of £1.75 million. He has not looked back this campaign, making 35 appearances in all competitions so far.

Gunter has also become a regular for his national side and he was the only player to represent Wales in all 10 of their 2010 World Cup qualifying games. He has played for his country at under-15, under-16, under-17, under-19, under-21 and senior level, which is some achievement. At 16 years and 299 days he became the youngest player to represent the Wales-under 21s, a record that was soon broken by Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey, his former Cardiff team mate. And Gunter still holds the honour of being the youngest Cardiff player to play for Wales when in May 2007 he played at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground against New Zealand. Such accolades are won by good players and the Forest star is now starting to show why many see him as a future Premier League regular.