Player Profile – James Piercy

We travel to East Yorkshire this week for our Player Profile to learn about a popular NCEL defender – Hall Road Rangers centre-half James Piercy.

Hall Road Rangers defender James Piercy

Name 

James Piercy 

Current Club 

Hall Road Rangers 

Previous clubs

North Ferriby (United and FC), Barton Town, Hall Road Rangers, Hull United.

Position 

Centre-Half 

Hall Road Rangers defender James Piercy
Hall Road defender James Piercy pictured in 2016

Age 

25

Day Job

Teacher

Best Mate In Football

Met a lot of great people through football. At the minute I’m closest to my centre half partner Knaggsy. 

Team you support 

Liverpool (Ole’s at the wheel)

Football Idol 

Stevie G, nothing that man couldn’t do. No midfielders are made like him anymore.

Biggest Influence on football career

My dad, coached me from the age of 5 up to 16 and was my harshest critic which helped me a lot. 

Still comes and watches me week in week out as well which always gives me a boost.

Career Highlight 

Dave Ricardo and Hall Road Rangers celebrate winning the Toolstation NCEL Division One title after beating Campion on the final day of the 2016/17 season. Picture: Lee Myers

There’s two big highlights for me. 

Winning the NCEL Div 1 with Hall Road was a great moment and that last game of the season will live with me forever, the game had everything and the coach home afterwards was a joke. 

Also, making my debut in the National League North. Away to Telford. Came on as a sub in what was as good as a Football League ground. 

Biggest Regret in Football

I don’t really have any regrets to be honest. 

The main thing for me has always to play football and enjoy it wherever I play and I believe I’ve done that so far.

Funniest moment in football 

James Piercy (left) with Dave Ricardo during a time when he was wearing a shirt

Has to be the coach trip home from when we won the league away at Campion which resulted in Rico’s (Dave Ricardo’s) shirt being thrown out the bus window onto the M62. 

Whenever I see Witty (James Whittingham) try a step over as well or try take someone on 1v1 is a funny thing to watch.

First semi-professional manager 

Curtis Woodhouse was one of James Piercy’s first managers

Within my first season I had two managers. 

Jamie Waltham and Curtis Woodhouse and throughout my career so far, Jamie has shown so much faith in me and has given me plenty of opportunities within the football world and Curtis came in and being 17 at the time gave me some harsh truths and lessons in football and really toughened me up to the game.

Non-League Debut

Piercy in action for Hall Road

Playing for Hull United and I actually came off the bench and went upfront.

Wasn’t long though before I was then shifted back into midfield and then to the back four.

First red card 

My first red card was playing at craven park for Hull United. Think we were chasing the game to be honest and I’ve just brought a man down through on goal. 

First and Best Goal 

His greatest moment: Sam Belcher and Ash Dexter cheer as Hall Road Rangers match winner James Piercy picks himself up against Grimsby. Picture: Lee Myers

I can’t remember my first goal to be honest but one goal that always sticks to me is a goal against Grimsby Borough when we were going for the league, nothing special but was an important one in the race for the league as they were challenging and we beat them 1-0 and I got the goal. Let’s just call it a bullet header.

What do you want to achieve in football in the future? 

Piercy helping to defuse a scuffle

My aims for football in the future are just to enjoy playing. 

The last couple of years I started to fall out of love with the game and have nearly just chucked it altogether on a few occasions but the pandemic has shown me just how much I love playing footy on a Saturday. 

If I finish my career and I have enjoyed it that’s all that matters.

Favourite Non League Ground 

FC United of Manchester 100%, was like a party atmosphere when we went there with Ferriby and even though we were already relegated we won 2-0 and it was a great atmosphere in and around the place and even their fans applauded us off.

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Take a look at our previous Player Profiles HERE

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