Pierce Bird – Wikipedia

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Northern Irish professional footballer

Pierce Michael Bird (born 16 April 1999) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre back for AFC Fylde.

Dunkirk[edit]

Bird 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[edit]

Bird 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[edit]

On 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[edit]

On 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[edit]

On 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[edit]

On 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[edit]

On 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[edit]

On 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[edit]

On 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[edit]

On 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[edit]

On 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]

International career[edit]

On 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.[33][34]

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.[35]

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.[36]

Career statistics[edit]

As of match played 31 March 2023

References[edit]