Pierce Michael Bird (born 16 April 1999) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Northern Premier League Divison One East side Matlock Town.
Career Dunkirk Bird played for Dunkirk of the East Midlands Counties League and also their reserve side, AFC Dunkirk of the Nottinghamshire Senior League. He made his senior debut for Dunkirk on 9 August 2016 in the 3–2 home win against Holbrook Sports. On 17 August 2016 in the away win at Cotgrave he made his debut for AFC Dunkirk.
Notts County Bird sealed a trial at League Two side Notts County, and scored the winning goal in the pre-season win at York City, On 31 July it was announced that Bird had secured a one-year contract at Notts County after impressing during his trial period. On 7 November 2017, Bird made his Notts County debut in the EFL Trophy match at Lincoln City, scoring an own goal. On 26 December 2017, Bird made his Football League debut as an 87th-minute substitute in the 4–1 win at Morecambe.
On 29 May 2018, Bird signed a two-year contract with Notts County.
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.
Loan to Leek Town 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.
Loan to Alfreton Town On 5 January 2018, Bird joined National League North side Alfreton Town on a month youth loan. He made his debut the next day in the 3–0 win away at North Ferriby United, and also scored the third Alfreton goal.
Loan to Grantham Town On 1 November 2018, Bird joined Northern Premier League Premier Division side Grantham Town on a one-month loan. He made his debut on 3 November in the 0–2 defeat to Warrington Town.
Loan to Boston United On 22 November 2019, Bird joined National League North side Boston United until the end of the year. 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. On 19 December 2019, Bird was recalled from his loan spell.
Eastleigh On 11 August 2020, Bird joined National League side Eastleigh. 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.
On 28 June 2021, Eastleigh confirmed that Bird will leave the club following the expiry of his contract, after turning down a new deal.
Loan to Boston United On 18 December 2020, Bird joined National League North side Boston United, until 16 January 2021. He made his debut the next day in the F.A. Trophy win against AFC Fylde.
King's Lynn Town On 29 June 2021, Bird joined National League side King's Lynn Town. He made his debut on 21 August 2021 in the National League home defeat against Southend United.
Loan to FC Halifax Town On 25 March 2022, Bird joined fellow National League side FC Halifax Town on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season. He made his debut on 9 April 2022 as an 87th-minute substitute in the National League home win against Woking.
AFC Fylde On 24 June 2022, Bird joined National League North side AFC Fylde for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut on 6 August 2022 in the National League North home victory against Kettering Town.
Bird was released by AFC Fylde at the end of the 2023–24 season.
Loan to Buxton On 21 November 2023, Bird joined National League North club Buxton on a one-month loan deal. He made his debut the same day in the home victory against Hereford.
Loan to Eastbourne Borough On 26 January 2024, Bird joined National League South club Eastbourne Borough on a one-month loan deal. 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.
Eastbourne Borough On 15 May 2024, it was announced that Bird would join Eastbourne Borough on a permanent transfer ahead of the 2024–2025 season.
Kidderminster Harriers On 29 May 2025, Bird joined National League North side Kidderminster Harriers, reuniting with new manager Adam Murray whom Bird had played under at both AFC Fylde and Eastbourne Borough. He made his debut on 19 August 2025 in the National League North home draw against Oxford City. On 8 October 2025, Kidderminster announced Bird would miss the next four or five months after undergoing knee surgery. On 1 June 2026, Kidderminster announced their retained list, with Bird leaving at the expiration of his contract.
Matlock Town On 7 June 2026 it was announced Bird had signed for Northern Premier League Divison One East side Matlock Town ahead of the 2026–27 season.
International career 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.
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.
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.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsDunkirk2016–17East Midlands Counties League3000000030AFC Dunkirk2016–17Notts Senior League Premier Division306000051357Notts County2017–18League Two10000010202018–19League Two1200010001302019–20National League110000000110Total240001010260Leek Town (loan) 2017–18Northern Premier League Division One South3000000030Alfreton Town (loan)2017–18National League North41———41Grantham Town (loan)2018–19Northern Premier League Premier Division20———20Boston United (loan) 2019–20National League North1020—1040Eastleigh2020–21National League29010—00300Boston United (loan) 2020–21National League North4000—1050King's Lynn Town2021–22National League13010—20160FC Halifax Town (loan)2021–22National League5000—0050AFC Fylde2022–23National League North35260—204322023–24National League5000—0050Buxton (loan) 2023–24National League North3000—0030Eastbourne Borough (loan)2023–24National League South13100—00131Eastbourne Borough2024–25National League South30000—40340Kidderminster Harriers2025–26National League North10010—00110Matlock Town2026–27Northern Premier League Division One North0000—0000Career total214111001016124211
Honours AFC Dunkirk 2016–17 Nottinghamshire F.A. Intermediate Cup Winners
AFC Fylde 2022–23 National League North Champions
Kidderminster Harriers 2025–26 National League North Play-off Winners
References