‘Unfinished business’ – Harry Pell on decision to sign up again for AFC Wimbledon duty

New AFC Wimbledon signing Harry Pell believes he has unfinished business with the club after leaving the first time around on a “sour note.”

The former Charlton Athletic academy midfielder first joined the Dons as a 21-year-old in the winter of 2012-13 season under Neal Ardley on a permanent deal from Hereford United.

Pell helped the club to Football League survival in his first six months at Kingsmeadow, featuring 17 times and contributing towards three goals as they stayed up by two points on the final day of the season.

He continued to be a part of the squad for the following season. But, in the 2014-15 campaign, Pell struggled to break into Ardley’s side, only making one league start in the first half of the season, and decided the best route was to leave.

Initially he joined Grimbsy on a one-month loan before signing permanently for National League side Eastleigh in January.

“Different things happen at different times in footballers’ careers, and I look at that [my first spell with the club] and say it was successful,” Pell told the South London Press. “I was bought by Wimbledon to come in and do a job and keep them in the league, and we achieved that. But it left a little bit of a sour taste in my mouth with the way I left.

“I wanted to play games, and if you look at the course of my career, wherever I have gone, I’m not one to sit around and pick up my money. If a club didn’t want me or I wasn’t getting games, I would be the first one to say: ‘Let’s sort this situation out’. I’m a footballer because I love it, I’m not a footballer for the wrong reasons.

“Hopefully when the next time comes to leave, whenever that is because it will happen, I won’t be leaving like that again. I want to leave with a successful story behind me.”

Pell rejoined the Dons last week after seven years away. He was brought in to replace Luke McCormick, who sealed a move back to Bristol Rovers.

Pell, now 30, arrived at Plough Lane off the back of a successful season with Accrington Stanley, recording eight goals and six assists in all competitions.

“There was no pressure on me to leave,” explained Pell, who was surprised he was allowed to depart the Wham Stadium after a productive first season.

“It was a joint decision between me and John [Coleman, Accrington’s manager]. He’s someone I respect a lot. The opportunity came up that a few clubs would be interested in taking me, and it was something that I wanted to pursue.

“I’m at an age now where these are my prime years of football, and I really want to be in a happy place. I want to try and achieve, and I believe there is an opportunity for me to do that at Wimbledon.

“There’s a bit [of unfinished business]. Everyone knows that Wimbledon are such a big club in League Two – everything points looking upwards.”
Teams in League One and in Scotland were chasing his signature when it became clear he would be allowed to leave Accrington.

“It was the wanting to achieve,” explained Pell of his decision to drop down a division to sign for Johnnie Jackson.

“The teams that wanted me in League One, I didn’t think that they would be up the right end of the table, and that’s important to me at my age. I did my homework on Wimbledon and the gaffer. I have got some mutual friends with the gaffer, and mutual friends who have played under him, and they all sang his praises.

“Everything they said is exactly what I expected – the intensity, the way he wants to play and the clear messages he puts to his players.

“We had a really good conversation, and he told me where I fitted in his plans going forward. Having played here before and knowing it well, I was very keen to come back.”

When Pell signed, he video-called his mother to show her around Plough Lane. During the phone call, she began to cry as he panned around to show her the stadium from the top of the directors’ box.

“It was an unbelievable moment,” said Pell.  “She has missed me, and her granddaughter as well, so it was a great moment for her. It was quite a long and drawn-out period with Wimbledon [before signing.]

“The McCormick stuff had something to do with my transfer, and it went on longer than everyone wanted, but these things happen in football.

“It was difficult. I was linked with a few clubs before I signed for Wimbledon, so for her, it was just important that I came home.

“I have changed as a person and a player, and you only get that through playing games.

“I have got my games – I have learned my trade. I  have done it the hard way, going back down to the Conference and winning that, then moving back to League Two and challenging myself in League One.”

“I just see potential here [at Wimbledon]. I really do believe that there is a sense that we can achieve something here.

“In the club’s make-up, an achievement this year would be us giving it a good go to try and get out of this league. That’s something which myself, the club and the manager are all desperate for.”

PICTURES: LUCY DIXON