Southend United
(Image: Daniel Hambury)
By Chris Phillips@cjphillips1982Chief sports reporter
BIM Pepple’s goalscoring form with Southend United has surprised some this season – but not his former coach in Canada, Tommy Wheeldon.
The current Cavalry boss first worked with Pepple when the striker was aged just 11.
And he insists Pepple has always had the ability to hit the back of the net on a regular basis.
“I’ve known Aribim since he was 11 or 12,” Wheeldon told the Echo.
“He used to play for Calgary Foothills which was the youth academy I used to run and he always just scored.
“The bigger the game the bigger he played and he reminded me of that (Romelu) Lukaku type striker.
“At times people would question him but then suddenly it would be bang, bang, bang and he just believes in himself so much.
“His ability to score goals is phenomenal and it’s great to see him doing well now for Southend.”
Pepple’s hat-trick at Brentwood Town made it four goals in two games for the Shrimpers and eight goals in total this season.
But Pepple would often hit the back of the net when working his way through the ranks in Canadian football.
“He was raw but he always had the ability to score goals which is the hardest skill in the game,” said Wheeldon.
“In England you have County games, here we have Provinces where the best of the best come together.
“He would always shine in that and he made his debut for Foothills under 23 team when he was 16 and scored.
“I gave him his professional debut as a 16-year-old in 2019 and we always believed in him.
“I remember him being so powerful and he was invited to train with Canada’s under 20s squad.”
And, once football resumed following the Covid 19 outbreak, Pepple was soon on the look-out for another big break.
“After the pandemic here Aribim went back into Europe,” said Wheeldon.
“He went to Getafe under 21s but it didn’t necessarily work out there.
“He was just about to sign for Forest Green but something fell through and we ended up re-signing him.
“After 10 to 15 games he did exactly what he always does.
“He hit a purple patch and Luton Town ended up coming and getting him.”
Pepple joined the Hatters in 2022 and Wheeldon is certain the move shows the growing respect for Canadian football.
“The Canadian Premier League was a brand new league when it launched in 2019 but now we’ve got players like Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, Tajon Buchanan and Stefan Eustaquio who are all playing for Champions League level clubs,” said Wheeldon.
“Alistair Johnston is the captain of Celtic now and Canadians are winning a lot of respect in the way they’re playing.
“Cyle Larren is playing for Mallorca in Spain and when we started to be televised on BT Sport I think people saw it was a good level.
“Look at Jesse Marsch now.
“The reason he wants to coach Canada is that he sees such great potential with the Canadian game so when someone young like Bim was scoring goals for us people want that type of profile.”
Pepple has yet to feature for Luton’s first team but continued his development via loan spells with Grimsby Town, Bromley and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
But the forward has been given far more opportunities to shine with the Shrimpers.
And Wheeldon continues to track Pepple’s progress.
“I’ve got Southend on FutMob now,” said Wheeldon.
“Aribim’s got raw potential, an infectious personality and an ability to score goals but he’s at the right place now because you’re given him the belief to go and do exactly what he can do.
“It’s nice to see him doing what he does best and that’s scoring goals.”
But Wheeldon’s links to the Shrimpers extend just beyond Pepple.
“Even though I live and work in Canada now, Darren Currie and I did our UEFA A coaching course together in 2014 I think it was,” said Wheeldon.
“We’ve kept in touch and he sent me a message out of the blue asking about Aribim before he signed on loan there.
“But Darren would be the right coach for him too because of his attacking mindset and personality.
Pepple will now be looking to further enhance his reputation while at Roots Hall.
And Wheeldon is certain Pepple has the thought process to help make that happen.
“He’s very intelligent,” said Wheeldon.
“Both his parents are doctors and he has a big educational background.
“Aribim has always had this big smile and he’s a giggler but behind it all he’s got a really good heart and he’s highly, highly intelligent.
“I think that helps him with his finishing because he knows where the space is and he knows where the keeper is too.
“His self belief is incredible as well.”
But Wheeldon’s main focus is still very much on Calgary.
And he is eagerly anticipating the draw for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup.
“We’re waiting to see who we’re going to get,” said Wheeldon.
“We could end up playing against Beckham’s Miami and face Lionel Messi.
“We’re one of 27 clubs taking part and we’re very excited about it.”
