Pierce Michael Bird (born 16 April 1999) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Eastbourne Borough.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Pierce Michael Bird[1] | ||
Date of birth | [2] | 16 April 1999||
Place of birth | Nottingham, England | ||
Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2+1⁄2 in)[2] | ||
Position(s) | Defender | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Eastbourne Borough | ||
Number | 33 | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2016–2017 | Dunkirk | 3 | (0) |
2016–2017 | AFC Dunkirk | 30 | (6) |
2017–2020 | Notts County | 24 | (0) |
2017 | → Leek Town (loan) | 3 | (0) |
2018 | → Alfreton Town (loan) | 4 | (1) |
2018 | → Grantham Town (loan) | 2 | (0) |
2019 | → Boston United (loan) | 1 | (0) |
2020–2021 | Eastleigh | 29 | (0) |
2020–2021 | → Boston United (loan) | 4 | (0) |
2021–2022 | King's Lynn Town | 13 | (0) |
2022 | → FC Halifax Town (loan) | 5 | (0) |
2022–2024 | AFC Fylde | 40 | (2) |
2023 | → Buxton (loan) | 3 | (0) |
2024 | → Eastbourne Borough (loan) | 13 | (1) |
2024– | Eastbourne Borough | 10 | (0) |
International career‡ | |||
2018–2019 | Northern Ireland U21 | 3 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:58, 5 November 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:30, 6 March 2021 (UTC) |
Career
editDunkirk
editBird played for Dunkirk of the East Midlands Counties League and also their reserve side, AFC Dunkirk of the Nottinghamshire Senior League.[3][4] He made his senior debut for Dunkirk on 9 August 2016 in the 3–2 home win against Holbrook Sports.[5] On 17 August 2016 in the away win at Cotgrave he made his debut for AFC Dunkirk.[6]
Notts County
editBird sealed a trial at League Two side Notts County, and scored the winning goal in the pre-season win at York City,[7] On 31 July it was announced that Bird had secured a one-year contract at Notts County after impressing during his trial period.[8] On 7 November 2017, Bird made his Notts County debut in the EFL Trophy match at Lincoln City, scoring an own goal.[9] On 26 December 2017, Bird made his Football League debut as an 87th-minute substitute in the 4–1 win at Morecambe.[10]
On 29 May 2018, Bird signed a two-year contract with Notts County.[11]
On 3 June 2020, out of contract Bird was informed he will not be offered a new contract when his current contract ends on 30 June.[12]
Loan to Leek Town
editOn 9 September 2017, Bird joined Northern Premier League Division One South side Leek Town on a one-month loan, making his debut the same day in a 3–1 away win at Gresley.[13][14]
Loan to Alfreton Town
editOn 5 January 2018, Bird joined National League North side Alfreton Town on a month youth loan.[15] He made his debut the next day in the 3–0 win away at North Ferriby United, and also scored the third Alfreton goal.[16]
Loan to Grantham Town
editOn 1 November 2018, Bird joined Northern Premier League Premier Division side Grantham Town on a one-month loan.[17] He made his debut on 3 November in the 0–2 defeat to Warrington Town.[18]
Loan to Boston United
editOn 22 November 2019, Bird joined National League North side Boston United until the end of the year.[19] He made his debut the next day in the F.A. Trophy 0–1 defeat at Atherton Collieries, and was substituted after 32 minutes, due to a head injury.[20] On 19 December 2019, Bird was recalled from his loan spell.[21]
Eastleigh
editOn 11 August 2020, Bird joined National League side Eastleigh.[22] Bird made his debut as a 105th-minute substitute in the F.A. Cup 1st Round defeat to Milton Keynes Dons on 8 November 2020. Bird scored in the penalty shoot-out where Eastleigh lost 4–3.[23]
On 28 June 2021, Eastleigh confirmed that Bird will leave the club following the expiry of his contract, after turning down a new deal.[24]
Loan to Boston United
editOn 18 December 2020, Bird joined National League North side Boston United, until 16 January 2021.[25] He made his debut the next day in the F.A. Trophy win against AFC Fylde.[26]
King's Lynn Town
editOn 29 June 2021, Bird joined National League side King's Lynn Town.[27] He made his debut on 21 August 2021 in the National League home defeat against Southend United.[28]
Loan to FC Halifax Town
editOn 25 March 2022, Bird joined fellow National League side FC Halifax Town on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.[29] He made his debut on 9 April 2022 as an 87th-minute substitute in the National League home win against Woking.[30]
AFC Fylde
editOn 24 June 2022, Bird joined National League North side AFC Fylde for an undisclosed fee.[31] He made his debut on 6 August 2022 in the National League North home victory against Kettering Town.[32]
Bird was released by AFC Fylde at the end of the 2023–24 season.[33]
Loan to Buxton
editOn 21 November 2023, Bird joined National League North club Buxton on a one-month loan deal.[34] He made his debut the same day in the home victory against Hereford.
Loan to Eastbourne Borough
editOn 26 January 2024, Bird joined National League South club Eastbourne Borough on a one-month loan deal.[35] He made his debut the next day in the home victory over Farnborough. On 23 February 2024, Eastbourne announced Bird had extended his loan spell until the end of the season.[36]
Eastbourne Borough
editOn 15 May 2024, it was announced that Bird would join Eastbourne Borough on a permanent transfer ahead of the 2024–2025 season.[37]
International career
editOn 30 August 2018, Bird received a call-up for the Northern Ireland under-21 squad for upcoming games against Luxembourg and Spain. Bird is eligible to represent Northern Ireland at international level through his grandparents.[38][39]
On 6 September 2018, in the friendly against Luxembourg under-21 he made his debut in a 1–0 win. Bird was substituted in the 70th minute.[40]
He made his competitive debut on 11 September 2018 as a 78th-minute substitute in Northern Ireland under-21s 2–1 victory away to Spain under-21 in the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying competition.[41]
Career statistics
edit- As of match played 5 November 2024
- ^ Appearance(s) in Notts F.A. Intermediate Cup
- ^ Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
- ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
- ^ Appearance(s) in Sussex Senior Cup
Honours
editAFC Dunkirk
- 2016–17 Nottinghamshire F.A. Intermediate Cup Winners
AFC Fylde
- 2022–23 National League North Champions[50]
References
edit- ^ "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/01/2018 and 31/01/2018". The FA. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
- ^ a b "Pierce Bird". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ "East Midlands Counties League-Player season totals-Dunkirk". www.fulltime-league.thefa.com. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ "East Midlands Counties League-Player season totals-AFCDunkirk". www.fulltime-league.thefa.com. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
- ^ "East Midlands Counties League-Dunkirk v Holbrook Sports". www.fulltime-league.thefa.com. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ "Notts Senior League-Cotgrave v AFC Dunkirk". www.fulltime-league.thefa.com. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ "Trialist Pierce Bird seals Notts County win at York City". Nottingham Post. 29 July 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
- ^ "Notts County secure deal for trialist Pierce Bird". Nottingham Post. 31 July 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
- ^ "Lincoln 2 Notts 1". nottscountyfc.co.uk. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
- ^ "Morecambe 1 Notts 4". nottscountyfc.co.uk. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
- ^ "Ross signs new deal". Notts County. 29 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ "Squad Update". Notts County. 3 June 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ "Bird joins Leek". nottscountyfc.co.uk. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
- ^ "Gresley 1 Leek 3". www.pitchero.com. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ "Notts County defender Pierce Bird seals loan move to Alfreton". nottinghampost.com. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ "North Ferriby United 0 Alfreton Town 3". alfretontownfc.com. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ "Duo head out on loan". nottscountyfc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
- ^ "Grantham lose to Warrington in final 10 minutes". granthamjournal.co.uk. 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
- ^ "Loan switch for Pierce". nottscountyfc.co.uk. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
- ^ "COLLS v PILGRIMS: Late goal knocks Boston United out of FA Trophy". bostonstandard.co.uk. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ "Bird back, Turner out". nottscountyfc.co.uk. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
- ^ "Pierce Bird joins the Spitfires". eastleighfc.com. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ^ "Report:Eastleigh 0 MK Dons 0 (3-4 pens)". mkdons.com. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
- ^ "Defensive trio depart the club". eastleighfc.com. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ^ "Bird arrives as duo depart". bostonunited.co.uk. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Boston United 1-1 AFC fylde (4-2) on Penalties)". bostonunited.co.uk. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ "Linnets bring in Bird". kltown.co.uk. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ^ "Opening day defeat for Linnets". kltown.co.uk. 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- ^ "Bird flies North on loan". King's Lynn Town FC. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
- ^ "Woking:Match Report". fchalifaxtown.com. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ "Pierce Bird Flies Through The Mill Farm Door". afcfylde.co.uk. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
- ^ "Match Report AFC Fylde 2-1 Kettering Town". afcfylde.co.uk. 6 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "2024/2025 Retained List". www.afcfylde.co.uk. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ @Buxton_FC (21 November 2023). "✍🏼⚽️ | We are delighted to confirm that @AFCFylde defender Pierce Bird has joined the Bucks on a one-month loan deal. Bird has considerable @TheVanaramaNL experience with a host of clubs and goes straight into the squad for tonight's match. #WelcomePierce | #TeamBuxton" (Tweet). Retrieved 22 November 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Bird is the Word for The Sports". ebfc.co.uk. 26 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- ^ "Bird extends loan at Priory Lane". ebfc.co.uk. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Bird is Back for Good". ebfc.co.uk. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ "Notts County defender Pierce Bird wins Northern Ireland under-21 call-up". nottinghampost.com. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ^ "Five players called up to u21 squad for crucial Spain game". irishfa.com. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ^ "Smyth and Holden link up for Northern Ireland U21s". irishfa.com. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
- ^ "Bird goes international". nottscounty.co.uk. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
- ^ "Full-Time League Administration | the Football Association".
- ^ "Full-Time League Administration | the Football Association".
- ^ "Games played by Pierce Bird in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
- ^ "Games played by Pierce Bird in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
- ^ "Games played by Pierce Bird in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
- ^ "First fixtures & results".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "P. Bird: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
- ^ "StackPath".
- ^ "Match Report - Bradford (Park Avenue) 0-2 AFC Fylde". afcfylde.co.uk. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.