PERS. INFORMATION

CLUB HISTORY

• Maidstone United FC | Youth
• Crystal Palace FC | Youth – 2019
• Trysil FK | 2019 – 2020
• Ytterhogdals IK | 2020 – 2021
• Margate FC | 2021
• Maidstone United FC | 2021 – 2025
• Folkestone Invicta FC | 2025
• Dover Athletic FC | 2025 – …

INTERVIEW

Introduce yourself…

My name is Bivesh Gurung, I’m 24 years old and currently playing for Dover in step 2 level.

How would you describe your playing style as a defensive midfielder?

I would say that I’m a hard working midfielder, who reads the game well and can break up play. I have a good engine and can play box to box. I have good passing ability off both feet and I’m good on the ball.

How did the opportunity to join Crystal Palace come about?

It came through getting scouted at u16s county level, whilst representing my county “Kent”. In that game, I was lucky enough to score one of the best goals I’ve scored, I picked the ball up from around 30 yards out and hit it in the top corner. And I just remember being approached by the Palace scout straight after the game.

What was the biggest difference between Maidstone United and Crystal Palace’s academy environment?

As you can imagine a level up in basically everything. From the facilities you have available to you. The level of coaching and players you play with and against. Everything was just turned up a notch, and I absolutely loved it.

What made you decide to take the step to Norway with Trysil FK?

Once getting released from Crystal Palace, the opportunity to play abroad came through my agent. And it was a good way to throw myself into senior football straight away, whilst also being at a full time environment, to continue developing. At that specific moment, it was what made the most sense, and I have no regrets about doing it.

How did the move to Ytterhogdals IK come about? And what was different about football in Sweden compared to Norway?

It came about through my agent, who already had another player there. The gaffer himself was English and interestingly enough, he went on to be a first team coach at the likes of Southampton and Dortmund. It wasn’t too dissimilar to Norway, a lot of the football was more technical based, however physically it’s nowhere near as demanding as it is in England.

Every player faces difficult periods. How tough was the time when you were without a club?

Incredibly difficult, this came off the back of my season in Sweden, where I had attracted quite a bit of interest from teams higher up in the pyramid. However brexit made things extremely difficult which caused teams to have rules/regulations on players coming from overseas. And going back to the point, it was extremely difficult, as you’re just trying to stay as ready as possible. Training every day, being consistent and staying positive hoping that things will start to turn.

In 2021 you signed at Margate FC. What did it feel like returning to English football after your time abroad?

Yeah, it did feel weird, and I had to immediately get used to the difference in style again. Like I mentioned earlier, the intensity of the game is unmatched. Playing on poor pitches, playing what a particular game demands it took time readjusting. But ultimately, with the competitive nature and passion of the game in England, it’s what I enjoy the most.

What attracted you to joining Dover Athletic? And how would you describe your role in the team as a defensive midfielder?

The main thing was having the opportunity to play at step 2 level again. Obviously I’ve had a lot of games beforehand at this level, however with contract negotiations falling and picking up an injury at the wrong time in the off season, it made it difficult. But now I’m at Dover and back in step 2, so I’m extremely grateful.

What are your goals with Dover Athletic this season? And what ambitions do you still have in football?

The goal is to go the rest of the season unbeaten and finish as strong as possible. And I wanna add a few more goals/assists. In terms of ambitions, I’m very ambitious. That’s my character, that’s what gives me motivation to try and get better each day. I want to play as high as I possibly can.