One of a twin, Martin Dunne played his early football for the East Lancashire Regiment while serving in India, where he was a member of the team that captured the Bombay and Dewar Cups. After three years in the army, he returned to his roots, where he attracted attention, playing in the Lancashire Combination. Beating off some northern competitors, Southampton brought him to The Dell, where he immediately made his mark at inside-forward, scoring on debut.

Martin was exceptionally quick – a champion sprinter, he had won the Great Harwood 110-yard sprint during the summer

– and he used his speed with effect, to top-score in a struggling, low-scoring side. He might have had more, had it not been for a foot injury that hampered the latter part of the season. After which he was gone, to play for his Southampton team-mate, John Johnston, who had become manager of Stalybridge Celtic. Martin rejoined the East Lancashire Regiment in August 1914, was twice wounded in 1916 and discharged, medically unfit, in 1917. Fully recovered by 1919, he re-enlisted. In 1939 he was a labourer back in his home town.