Pell: Why it was the right time to leave Hereford and go back home (From Worcester News)

Pell: Why it was the right time to leave Hereford and go back home

10:10am Saturday 2nd February 2013 in Sport

HARRY Pell’s departure from Hereford United has provided a brief glimpse into the harsh realities of being a footballer.

While it’s often easy to only see transfer fees, plenty goes on behind the scenes away from the public gaze, particularly with time having run out in the transfer window.

Earlier this week, Pell’s career was transformed in little more than 30 minutes as he swapped rural Herefordshire for London and a two-and-a-half year deal at League Two AFC Wimbledon.

The 22-year-old midfielder, who made 71 appearances for the Bulls, said: “I got my tea from Asda and I was on my way home to Little Dewchurch when I had a call from my agent saying that I needed to get to London.

“I had a McDonald’s on the way home and I put all my life into my car. I only had about half-an-hour to say goodbye to everyone in Hereford.”

Pell, though, felt it was the right move to make so he could return to his Essex home and be with his mother, who has multiple sclerosis.

He said: “I have been living far away from my mum and my sister has had to deal with my mum’s illness. I am moving home with my mum for a short time and I am looking to buy my first house.”

Hereford return to action for the first time since January 12 when they entertain Southport today at Edgar Street (3pm).

Left-back Rod McDonald, signed from Nantwich Town, and midfielder Kingsley James, recruited on a one-month loan deal from Port Vale, are set to make their debuts for Martin Foyle’s side.

•  Hereford have rearranged their home match against Mansfield Town for Tuesday, April 16. They will visit Gateshead on Tuesday, March 19, and host Dartford seven days later.