Ian Pearce (footballer)
{{Short description|English footballer (born 1974)}}
{{about|the English association football coach|the Australian rugby league footballer|Ian Pearce (rugby league)}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Ian Pearce
| image =
| full_name = Ian Anthony Pearce{{Hugman|15498|access-date=24 April 2018}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|5|7|df=y}}
| birth_place = Bury St Edmunds, England
| position = Defender
| currentclub = West Bromwich Albion
(Head of Recruitment)
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Oxted & District
| years1 = 1991–1993
| years2 = 1993–1997
| years3 = 1997–2004
| years4 = 2004–2008
| years5 = 2008
| years6 = 2008–2009
| years7 = 2009
| years8 = 2009–2010
| years9 = 2011–2012
| years10 = 2012
| clubs1 = Chelsea
| clubs2 = Blackburn Rovers
| clubs3 = West Ham United
| clubs4 = Fulham
| clubs5 = → Southampton (loan)
| clubs6 = Oxted & District
| clubs7 = Kingstonian
| clubs8 = Lincoln City
| clubs9 = Kingstonian
| caps1 = 4
| goals1 = 0
| caps2 = 63
| goals2 = 2
| caps3 = 142
| goals3 = 9
| caps4 = 57
| goals4 = 1
| caps5 = 1
| goals5 = 0
| caps6 =
| goals6 =
| caps7 = 1
| goals7 = 0
| caps8 = 14
| goals8 = 0
| caps9 = 3
| goals9 = 0
| totalcaps = 285
| totalgoals = 12
| nationalyears1 =
| nationalteam1 = England U20
| nationalcaps1 =
| nationalgoals1 =
| nationalyears2 = 1995
| nationalteam2 = England U21
| nationalcaps2 = 3
| nationalgoals2 = 0
}}
Ian Anthony Pearce (born 7 May 1974) is an English football coach and former professional footballer who is the head of recruitment at West Bromwich Albion.
As a player he was defender from 1990 until 2012, notably in the Premier League for Blackburn Rovers where he won the title in 1995. He also played top flight football for Chelsea, West Ham United and Fulham. He played in the Football League for Southampton and Lincoln City, as well as for non-league sides Oxted & District, Kingstonian and Lingfield. He was capped three times by the England U21 team in 1995.
Since retiring he has since worked on the coaching staff at Lincoln City and worked as a scout for Brighton & Hove Albion before taking up his current role with West Brom.
Club career
=Chelsea=
Pearce started his career at Oxted & District FC before signing for Chelsea during the 1990–91 season.{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/06/08/englands-last-side-reach-world-under-20s-semi-final-now/ian-pearce/| title=England's last side to reach a World Under-20s semi-final: where are they now?| newspaper=The Telegraph| date=8 June 2017| access-date=21 November 2017}} He made his debut on 11 May 1991 in a 2–2 draw with Aston Villa.{{cite web| url=https://www.11v11.com/players/ian-pearce-560/| title=Ian Pearce| website=11v11.com| publisher=Association of Football Statisticians| access-date=21 November 2017}} He made five substitute appearances in three seasons for the west London club,{{cite web| url=http://www.chelseafc.com/the-club/history/style/player-database.html| title=Player Database: Ian Pearce| publisher=Chelsea F.C.| access-date=21 November 2017}} before moving to Blackburn Rovers in October 1993 for a fee of £300,000.{{cite web | title = Ian Pearce| publisher=Sky Sports |access-date = 21 November 2017| url = http://www.skysports.com/football/player/32447/ian-pearce}}{{cite news| title=Will May blossom in United's garden?| newspaper=The Guardian| date=13 August 1994| page=16| quote=Ian Pearce, the £300,000 signing from Chelsea last October| url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15268578/charity_shield_1994_ian_pearce_fee/| via=Newspapers.com}}
=Blackburn Rovers=
Pearce's Blackburn debut was in a League Cup third-round replay against Shrewsbury Town on 9 Nov 1993, in which Pearce scored the winning goal in extra time.{{cite news| title=Understudy stars in the taming of the Shrews| newspaper=The Guardian| last=Bateman| first=Cynthia| date=10 November 1993| page=16| url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15276050/ian_pearce_blackburn_debut/| via=Newspapers.com}} He scored his first League goal in April 1994 after coming on as a substitute in a 2–1 win at West Ham United, a result which guaranteed Rovers a place in Europe for the first time in their history.{{cite news| title = FLASHBACK: West Ham United 1 Blackburn Rovers 2 | first=Paul| last=Wheelock | newspaper= Lancashire Telegraph | date = 10 February 2016 | access-date = 21 November 2017 | url = http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/14266245.FLASHBACK__West_Ham_United_1_Blackburn_Rovers_2/}}{{cite web| url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/west-ham-united-v-blackburn-rovers-27-april-1994-21682/| title=West Ham United v Blackburn Rovers, 27 April 1994| website=11v11.com| publisher=Association of Football Statisticians| access-date=21 November 2017}} He moved to centre-half the following season, forming a formidable partnership with Colin Hendry, and won a Premier League medal in the 1994–95 season.
=West Ham United=
Pearce moved to West Ham United for £2.3 million on 9 October 1997.{{cite news| newspaper=The Guardian| date=20 September 1997| page=43| title=This week's transfers| url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15276007/transfers_wb17092007/| via=Newspapers.com}} After playing regularly in his first two seasons with the club, and being named as runner-up in the 1999 Hammer of the Year award,{{cite web | title = Hammer of the Year| publisher=West Ham United F.C. | access-date = 21 November 2017 | url = https://www.whufc.com/club/history/records-and-honours/hammer-of-the-year}} he played just 37 minutes in 1999–2000 after injuring knee ligaments in a clash with teammate Stuart Pearce.{{cite web| url=https://www.espnfc.com/england/players/pearceian.html| title=Ian Pearce| publisher=ESPN| access-date=21 November 2017}} Pearce was out for 14 months, returning on 28 October 2000 against Newcastle United. He failed to find his true fitness, and only made 17 appearances in the 2000–01 season. He was able to take part in pre-season training for the first time in five years in 2002–03, and despite some further niggling injuries, made 33 appearances in all competitions. He continued his form into the 2003–04, registering 26 starts in the First Division, before moving to Fulham in the January transfer window.{{cite web| url=http://www.westhamstats.info/westham.php?west=2&ham=521&united=Ian_Pearce| title=Ian Pearce| website=westhamstats.info| access-date=21 November 2017}}{{cite book|last=Hogg |first=Tony |year=2005 |title=Who's Who of West Ham United |publisher=Profile Sports Media |isbn=1-903135-50-8| page=162}}
=Fulham=
Pearce signed for Fulham in January 2004 in a deal which involved an undisclosed transfer fee and Andy Melville moving to West Ham.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/3413697.stm| title=Pearce joins Fulham| publisher=BBC Sport| date=20 January 2004| access-date=14 October 2007}} He started nine games of that season as Fulham's first choice centre back. He made his debut in a match against Tottenham Hotspur at Loftus Road on 31 January 2004.
However, in his 2004–05 season, he was hampered with a back injury sustained in December 2004. He did manage to play a few reserve games at the end of the season, but did not play for the first team. In August 2005, he was close to signing for Norwich City, but pulled out because of family reasons.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}
Pearce was praised as 'Best player in pre season' by then Fulham manager Chris Coleman. His admirable resolve was demonstrated when in a 1–1 draw against Portsmouth he played through a painful foot injury only to score an equaliser before time and secure a critical point for Fulham.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6491073.stm| title=Fulham 1–1 Portsmouth| publisher=BBC Sport| date=31 March 2007| access-date=4 September 2009}}
On 22 February 2008, he joined Southampton on a 30-day loan deal. Injury restricted him to one appearance, in a 1–1 draw against Scunthorpe United.
Pearce had a trial for Brentford and played against Staines Town in a 3–0 win.
=Later career=
Pearce joined Surrey South Eastern Combination side Oxted & District, the club where his career began, in September 2008 and scored on his debut.{{cite news |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-186166227.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040454/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-186166227.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 December 2017| first=Greig| last=Box Turnbull |title=You're dropped! £3.5M SOCCER STAR FALLS 11 LEAGUES |newspaper=The Mirror |date=1 October 2008 }} Pearce signed for Kingstonian of the Isthmian League Premier Division on 21 August 2009 as an attacking midfielder and forward and made his competitive debut for the club against Aveley. He left the club on 27 September.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}
On 9 October 2009, in addition to his contract as assistant manager, Pearce signed a playing contract with Lincoln City.{{cite web|url=http://www.redimps.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10440~1821963,00.html |title=Pearce Pens Playing Contract |publisher=Lincoln City F.C. |date=9 October 2009 |access-date=6 September 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307204550/https://www.redimps.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10440~1821963,00.html| archive-date=7 March 2012| url-status=dead}} On 17 October, Pearce made his playing debut for Lincoln, coming on as a substitute in their 1–0 away defeat to Northampton Town.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/8295719.stm |title=Northampton 1–0 Lincoln City |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 October 2009 |access-date=6 September 2010}} He was sent off as an unused substitute in a match against Cheltenham Town on 14 November 2009.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/8328225.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | title=Lincoln City 1–1 Cheltenham | date=14 November 2009 | access-date=4 May 2010}} He returned for Kingstonian on 19 March 2011, in the 2–0 win over Lowestoft Town.{{cite web| url=http://www.kingstonian.net/appearances.jsp?player=371| title=Ian Pearce| website=kingstonian.net| access-date=20 November 2017}} He also played for Lingfield in 2011, where he linked up with fellow ex-pro Nicky Forster.{{cite news| title=FA CUP LIVE: Lingfield v Horsham| newspaper=West Sussex County Times| date=21 September 2011| url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-267584352.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040342/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-267584352.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=1 December 2017}}{{cite news| title=Ex-pros heading for The Salts?| newspaper=Rye & Battle Observer| date=14 September 2011| url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-267007783.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041737/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-267007783.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=1 December 2017| access-date=20 November 2017}}
International career
Pearce was part of the England under-20 team that came third in the 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship, playing in all six matches and scoring one goal.{{cite web| url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/june/03/fulhams-u20-links-part-one| title=Fulham's U-20 World Cup Links: Part One| publisher=Fulham F.C.| access-date=21 November 2017}} He was capped three times for England at under-21 level in the mid-1990s, but never made the senior national side.
Coaching career
On 30 September 2009, Pearce signed for Lincoln City as the club's assistant manager to newly appointed Chris Sutton, a former teammate at Blackburn Rovers. He left when Sutton resigned on 29 September 2010.{{cite news| url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12040_6407276,00.html| publisher=Sky Sports | title=Sutton leaves Lincoln| date=29 September 2010 | access-date=29 September 2010}}
In 2014, he joined Brighton & Hove Albion as a scout. On 1 November 2018, he joined West Bromwich Albion as head of recruitment.{{cite web |title=Albion appoint new Head of Recruitment |url=https://www.wba.co.uk/news/2018/november/albion-appoint-new-head-of-recruitment/ |publisher=West Bromwich Albion F.C. |access-date=1 November 2018 |date=1 November 2018}}
Career statistics
{{BLP unreferenced section|date= November 2022}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3"|Chelsea
|rowspan="2"|First Division |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1991–92
|2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1992–93
|1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 1 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="5"|Blackburn Rovers
|rowspan="5"|Premier League |5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | 9 | 2 | ||
| 1994–95
|28 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in UEFA Cup and Charity Shield}} | 0 | 32 | 0 | |
| 1995–96
|12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5{{efn|name=ECL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League and Charity Shield}} | 0 | 20 | 1 | |
| 1996–97
|12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 12 | 0 | ||
| 1997–98
|5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 5 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="7"|West Ham United
|rowspan="6"|Premier League |30 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 35 | 2 | ||
| 1998–99
|33 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 33 | 2 | ||
| 1999–2000
|1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearances in the UEFA Intertoto Cup.|name=itc}} | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2000–01
|15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 17 | 1 | ||
| 2001–02
|9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 9 | 2 | ||
| 2002–03
|30 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 33 | 2 | ||
| 2003–04
|First Division |24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 26 | 1 | ||
| rowspan="5"|Fulham
|rowspan="5"|Premier League |13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 13 | 0 | ||
| 2004–05
|12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 13 | 0 | ||
| 2005–06
|10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 12 | 0 | ||
| 2006–07
|22 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 23 | 1 | ||
| 2007–08
|1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 2 | 0 | ||
| Southampton
|1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 1 | 0 | ||
| Lincoln City
|10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 11 | 0 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!277 | 12 | 14 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 312 | 14 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Cricket
In 2009 Ian Pearce made his debut for Oxted and Limpsfield Cricket Club (Sunday XI) who compete in the Surrey League. As of 2020, Pearce has a top score of 89, with an average of 16.12, and in the field has affected 4 run outs and taken 18 catches.{{cite web |url=https://oxtedlimpsfield.play-cricket.com/player_stats/batting/3620735?rule_type_id=179&sub_tab=batting_summary&tab=batting |title = Oxted and Limpsfield CC}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Worldfootball.net|ian-pearce}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pearce, Ian}}
Category:Footballers from Bury St Edmunds
Category:English men's footballers
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:England men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Men's association football central defenders
Category:Blackburn Rovers F.C. players
Category:West Ham United F.C. players
Category:Southampton F.C. players
Category:Kingstonian F.C. players
Category:Lincoln City F.C. players
Category:Premier League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Isthmian League players
Category:Lincoln City F.C. non-playing staff
Category:Alumni of the University of Salford