Columnists

Chris Dunlavy: Forget data, Ollie is the ultimate in sound investment

An hour or so after York crushed Carlisle 5-0 at the LNER in September, Ollie Pearce dutifully shuffled into the sponsors’ lounge to collect his man of the match award.

by
The Non-League Football Paper Team
24 May 2026

A FRESH TAKE ON FOOTBALL
Chri DUNLAVY

SERIAL WINNER: National League champion Ollie Pearce, the York City striker, is now a two-time NGA Player of the Year
PICTURE: Alamy

AN hour or so after York crushed Carlisle 5-0 at the LNER in September, Ollie Pearce dutifully shuffled into the sponsors’ lounge to collect his man of the match award.
The 30-year-old had bagged a brace against the Cumbrians, including his first open-play goal of the season. “Don’t worry, I always start slow,” he told the assembled crowd. “I’ll hit my stride.”
And some stride it was. By May, Pearce had clocked up 34 g...

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