Ben gets his wish

Photo: Alan Howarth

ACTION MAN . . . Ben Pearson fends off a challenge from Athletic skipper Liam Kelly during Tuesday’s clash.

ON-loan Barnsley midfielder Ben Pearson says Athletic is the team he always wanted to play for – after Manchester United.

Twenty-year-old Chadderton lad Pearson joined the Tykes three weeks ago, having been with the Old Trafford giants since the age of seven.

He has been on the fringes of the Reds’ first-team picture for a while but jumped at the chance to join Barnsley temporarily. He has since made four appearances for the Tykes, the last on Tuesday.

He said: “I’ve been to see Oldham a few times. I don’t support them, but I do follow them. It’s a bit surreal. I always wanted to play against them or for them as a young kid. Apart from being at Man United, it was the second club I wanted to play for.

It’s difficult to ignore the comparison to Red Devils legend Paul Scholes, and Pearson is clearly keen on replicating the former England star’s achievements.

“It’s a bit strange how he’s from Oldham and he follows them and wanted to play for them,” added Pearson. “I like to think I’m a bit similar, but I’m not as strong. I want to follow in his footsteps, though.”

It certainly didn’t take long for the midfielder to adapt to league football, as he put in a man-of-the-match performance on his debut against Yeovil.