IN his four years at Huddersfield Town, Matty Pearson played under eight permanent head coaches/managers.
His experience with Neil Warnock and Carlos Corberan was very beneficial. Under some of the others, it was more difficult at times.
After moving from West Yorkshire to South Yorkshire, the centre-back will now work for Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann, with whom he previously tried to sign.
That means something to the Keighley-born defender, who has previously played in Yorkshire for Barnsley and FC Halifax Town.
Pearson loved his time at Huddersfield throughout the article, even if the previous few seasons were difficult, with Town trying to regain their mojo following their disastrous 2023-24 relegation season.
The opening half of last season hinted at more promising advancements in fairness.
Unfortunately, the second half was horrible.
All things considered, the time had come for Pearson to move on, and his transfer to Doncaster – after learning that the Terriers would not grant him a new contract – appears to be timely for a variety of reasons.
Pearson, 31, who joined Town from Luton during the 2021 close season, told The Yorkshire Post: “It is difficult when you have so many managers in a short period of time. You’ve always felt like an inherited player.
“My best football is under managers who know and understand me. In my four years at Huddersfield, I probably had two or three of the eight or nine that I’d had previously.
“Having so many managers might make things tough. So it was clearly time for a change.
“In football, it’s difficult to build a team that lasts. But I think I was good for the club and the club have been good for me.
“I had some amazing occasions there, including the play-off season and Warnock’s comeback after staying up. There are ups and downs to this. It’s difficult to leave, but I have pleasant memories.
“But you know what football is like, sometimes, it’s time to move on and now is the right time.”
McCann attempted to sign Pearson before during his first term in command at Peterborough, prior to him joining Barnsley in the 2017 close season after establishing himself on the EFL map at Accrington.
The Rovers manager has tracked his career and kept an eye on him since.
Given that Rovers have lost three experienced centre-backs this season in Richard Wood, Tom Anderson, and, to a lesser extent, Joe Olowu, Pearson’s seniority – promoted from the third tier with Luton Town in 2018-19 – is likely to come into play in 2025-26 during the club’s return to League One.
McCann is a savvy operator, so it’s no wonder that he’s gone to Pearson, his sort of player and person.
Pearson continued, “When I first spoke with him, he was the manager of Peterborough, and I had just signed for Barnsley.
“Even so, you develop sentiments for bosses, how they work, and what they want. After speaking with him this summer, I felt confident in my decision. I believe I am similar to the manager in that I get right to the point and do not waste time. He tells it like it is, and it was a great fit for both of us.
“I know a few of the players like Joe Ironside and Jack Senior – and I have also spoken to a few about going there.”
One of the reasons Pearson first rebuffed McCann’s overtures was his desire to remain in Yorkshire.
With McCann now back up the A1 at Doncaster rather than Peterborough, he had no geographical constraints to consider when deciding his next step.
Location was one consideration, but the primary ones were unsurprisingly football-related, and moving to Rovers ticked a number of boxes for the Yorkshireman.
He went on to say, “For football purposes, I believe it’s great. After meeting with the manager, it felt like a wonderful fit.
“I am glad to get it done and aim to contribute to Doncaster and the club’s success this season.
“There were a couple little bits and bats that came up during subsequent meetings with (other) managers. But this was the finest fit.
“You get a vibe when you speak to managers and after chatting with them. You know if they’re interested or not.
“Also, Grant’s earlier attempts to recruit me made it a good fit.
“He knows what I am about and has watched me.”
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