Alex Pearce
Encyclopedia
Alexander James Pearce is a professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Reading
, where he has played his entire career, interspersed with loan periods at various clubs. He has made two international appearances for the Scotland under-21 team
, but is also eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland
.
and attended The Oratory School
in Woodcote
until Sixth form
, when he dedicated his time towards attending Reading
's youth academy. He signed a three year professional contract with Reading
on 23 October 2006 and made his Reading debut in an FA Cup
third round game against Burnley
on 9 January 2007, coming off the bench to replace Ívar Ingimarsson
in the 74th minute.
On 9 February 2007, he joined Northampton Town
on a month's loan. He made his league debut in Northampton's 1–0 loss to Nottingham Forest
, but received praise from manager Stuart Gray
for his performance. He scored his first goal for Northampton in a 2–1 win over Scunthorpe on 8 April 2007. His loan was extended to the end of the 2006–07 season on 8 March 2007, returning to Reading in time to skipper the reserve team in the Premier Reserve League national final. In the final, Reading were crowned champions after a 2–0 win over Bolton Wanderers
, with goals from Alan Bennett and Pearce, to secure the trophy that had been won by Manchester United
for the previous two years.
On 2 November 2007, Pearce joined Bournemouth
on loan until 8 December, which was subsequently extended to 3 January 2008. On 21 December 2007, it was announced that Pearce had signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract. Nick Hammond
said Pearce "has a superb work ethic and mentality which gives him every chance of a long and successful career here at Reading."
On his return from loan he played in the FA Cup
fourth round replay against Spurs
on 15 January 2008 at the Madejski Stadium
, with the new England
boss Fabio Capello
in the stands. Pearce was handed his full debut at the start of the game, and put in a very solid performance before being sacrificed at half time as Steve Coppell
made a tactical change and went from 5–4–1 to 4–4–2. Coppell said "People will think the substitution was based on performance, but that couldn't be further from the truth. We just had a game plan and stuck to it."
Pearce made another loan move on 31 January 2008, this time joining Championship
side Norwich City
until the end of the 2007–08 season. Upon his return to Reading he scored his first goal for them in a Carling Cup win over Luton Town on 26 August 2008. He then went on loan to Southampton
on 31 October 2008 until the end of December. He made his debut at Preston North End
on 1 November, scoring Southampton's first goal as they came from 2–0 down to claim a 3–2 victory.
Following the departure of Reading's manager Steve Coppell
and the arrival of his replacement, Brendan Rodgers
, Pearce was appointed Reading's vice captain. Due to an injury to new club captain Ívar Ingimarsson
, Pearce started the 2009–10
in the first team side as captain.
through his parents, and has represented them at youth level. He made his debut for the Scotland U21
team in their 4–1 defeat to Norway U21
in Kilmarnock
on 20 May 2008.
Pearce is also eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland
having played for them at schoolboy level and could make a switch to represent Ireland as he has not yet received full senior international honours with Scotland. In October 2011, he stated "The country I have always wanted to play for is Ireland."
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
, where he has played his entire career, interspersed with loan periods at various clubs. He has made two international appearances for the Scotland under-21 team
Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
, but is also eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
.
Club career
Pearce was born in OxfordOxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
and attended The Oratory School
The Oratory School
The Oratory School is a Roman Catholic, independent school for boys in Woodcote, Berkshire. It is the last Catholic all-boys boarding school remaining in Great Britain. It has approximately 420 pupils...
in Woodcote
Woodcote
Woodcote is a village in the civil parish in South Oxfordshire, about southeast of Wallingford and about northwest of Reading, Berkshire. It is in the Chiltern Hills, and the highest part of the village is above sea level....
until Sixth form
Sixth form
In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
, when he dedicated his time towards attending Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
's youth academy. He signed a three year professional contract with Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
on 23 October 2006 and made his Reading debut in an FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
third round game against Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
on 9 January 2007, coming off the bench to replace Ívar Ingimarsson
Ívar Ingimarsson
Ívar Ingimarsson , is an Icelandic professional footballer currently playing for Ipswich Town.-Early years:...
in the 74th minute.
On 9 February 2007, he joined Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
on a month's loan. He made his league debut in Northampton's 1–0 loss to Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
, but received praise from manager Stuart Gray
Stuart Gray (footballer born 1960)
Stuart Gray is an English former footballer and manager, who is the former manager of Football League Two side Northampton Town. On 30th December 2010 he was appointed the caretaker manager of Burnley following the sacking of Brian Laws, reverting to his role as first team coach when Eddie Howe...
for his performance. He scored his first goal for Northampton in a 2–1 win over Scunthorpe on 8 April 2007. His loan was extended to the end of the 2006–07 season on 8 March 2007, returning to Reading in time to skipper the reserve team in the Premier Reserve League national final. In the final, Reading were crowned champions after a 2–0 win over Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
, with goals from Alan Bennett and Pearce, to secure the trophy that had been won by Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
for the previous two years.
On 2 November 2007, Pearce joined Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
on loan until 8 December, which was subsequently extended to 3 January 2008. On 21 December 2007, it was announced that Pearce had signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract. Nick Hammond
Nick Hammond
Nicholas David Hammond is an English former football goalkeeper, and currently Director of Football at Reading Football Club.-Playing career:...
said Pearce "has a superb work ethic and mentality which gives him every chance of a long and successful career here at Reading."
On his return from loan he played in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
fourth round replay against Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
on 15 January 2008 at the Madejski Stadium
Madejski Stadium
The Madejski Stadium is a stadium in Reading, Berkshire, England. The stadium is the home of Reading Football Club and to the rugby union club London Irish as tenants. It also provides the finish for the Reading Half Marathon...
, with the new England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
boss Fabio Capello
Fabio Capello
Fabio Capello is an Italian football manager and former player. He is the manager of the England national football team.Capello has the distinction of winning the domestic league title with every club he has coached throughout his career...
in the stands. Pearce was handed his full debut at the start of the game, and put in a very solid performance before being sacrificed at half time as Steve Coppell
Steve Coppell
Stephen James "Steve" Coppell is an English former footballer and manager, currently without a club.As a player, he was a highly regarded right winger known for his speed and work rate. He won domestic honours with Manchester United and represented England at the World Cup...
made a tactical change and went from 5–4–1 to 4–4–2. Coppell said "People will think the substitution was based on performance, but that couldn't be further from the truth. We just had a game plan and stuck to it."
Pearce made another loan move on 31 January 2008, this time joining Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
until the end of the 2007–08 season. Upon his return to Reading he scored his first goal for them in a Carling Cup win over Luton Town on 26 August 2008. He then went on loan to Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
on 31 October 2008 until the end of December. He made his debut at Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
on 1 November, scoring Southampton's first goal as they came from 2–0 down to claim a 3–2 victory.
Following the departure of Reading's manager Steve Coppell
Steve Coppell
Stephen James "Steve" Coppell is an English former footballer and manager, currently without a club.As a player, he was a highly regarded right winger known for his speed and work rate. He won domestic honours with Manchester United and represented England at the World Cup...
and the arrival of his replacement, Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers is a Northern Irish former footballer, who is currently the manager of Swansea City.After retiring as a footballer at the age of 20, Rodgers stayed at Reading and was appointed as youth team coach. He joined Chelsea, under the leadership of José Mourinho, as youth team manager in...
, Pearce was appointed Reading's vice captain. Due to an injury to new club captain Ívar Ingimarsson
Ívar Ingimarsson
Ívar Ingimarsson , is an Icelandic professional footballer currently playing for Ipswich Town.-Early years:...
, Pearce started the 2009–10
2009–10 in English football
The 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League...
in the first team side as captain.
International career
Despite being born in England, Pearce qualifies to play for ScotlandScotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
through his parents, and has represented them at youth level. He made his debut for the Scotland U21
Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
team in their 4–1 defeat to Norway U21
Norway national under-21 football team
The Norwegian national under-21 football team, controlled by the Football Association of Norway, is the national football team of Norway for players of 21 years of age or under at the start of a UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship campaign...
in Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
on 20 May 2008.
Pearce is also eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
having played for them at schoolboy level and could make a switch to represent Ireland as he has not yet received full senior international honours with Scotland. In October 2011, he stated "The country I have always wanted to play for is Ireland."
Career statistics
| All-Time Club Performance | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Season |  League |
FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup League Cup In association football, a League Cup or Secondary Cup generally signifies a cup competition for which entry is restricted only to teams in a particular league. The first national association football tournament to be called "League Cup" was held in Scotland in 1946/47 and was entitled the Scottish... |
Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... |
Total | |||||
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Reading Reading F.C. Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship... |
2009–10 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
| 2008–09 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 2 | |
| 2007–08 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2006–07 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Reading Total | 31 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 3 | |
| Southampton Southampton F.C. Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club... (loan) |
2008–09 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 |
| Norwich City Norwich City F.C. Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The... (loan) |
2007–08 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Bournemouth Bournemouth F.C. Bournemouth Football Club is an English football team currently playing in the Wessex League Premier Division. Their nickname is "The Poppies", and they are often known as Bournemouth Poppies to avoid confusion with the Football League club A.F.C. Bournemouth... (loan) |
2007–08 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Northampton Town Northampton Town F.C. Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season... (loan) |
2006–07 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 |
| Loan Total | 46 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 3 | |
| Career Total | 85 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 95 | 6 | |
| Last updated: 17:38, 14 April 2010 (UTC) | |||||||||||
External links
- Alex Pearce profile at readingfc.co.uk
- Interview with BBC Sport