Tom Iorpenda: Notts County star on why Messi is Wembley inspiration

Relocating to Huddersfield while his career was still in its infancy would appear to have been a daunting step, but Iorpenda never saw it that way.

For him it was “just a four-hour drive” from the south coast to the foothills of the Pennines.

“It changed my thinking to be more positive. I could go somewhere else and show people what I can do,” he said.

“I was laid back about things and didn’t stress too much. I enjoyed it.”

It is with the Terriers that he added to his reputation as a player capable of breathtaking moments. The audacious free-kick he scored from his own half for Huddersfield’s B team against Brentford’s second-string side in 2023 was the finest example.

It was a year earlier that he signed his first professional deal.

But even when he did that, he revealed a lot about himself when he immediately signed away part of his earnings to the Common Goal cause – a charity initiative made famous when World Cup-winning Spain midfielder and former Manchester United and Chelsea player Juan Mata became the first to take the 1% pledge in 2017.

When Mata got involved, he was reportedly earning £7m a year. Hundreds of footballers worldwide, as well as clubs and companies associated to the game have made donations to the cause.

So why, when earning his first real pay cheque, did Iorpenda do the same?

“I just thought it was the right thing to do,” he said.

“My mum’s really into that stuff with charities through football. So it think it’s mainly the way I’ve been brought up.”

It was also at Huddersfield when Iorpenda first worked under Martin Paterson.

When the former Terriers assistant coach was named as boss of Notts County this term, he was quick to make a case for bringing the inexperienced Iorpenda to Meadow Lane.

“He likes to remind me that I was rubbish before I came here,” Iorpenda said, with a laugh, when asked about his relationship with the head coach.

“He has put his trust in me from the first game and I’m just trying to repay that with good performances.

“Whatever happens, I’m forever grateful for what this club’s done for me and hopefully I – me and the team – can help repay Notts with a win on Monday.”