Stuart Pearson
Encyclopedia
James Stuart Pearson is an English
former football player. He was a skilful forward who played in three FA Cup final
s.
. As a young player and replacement for local hero Chris Chilton he was not given an easy time by the Hull City fans. He did, however, soon win them over with skill and clinical finishing. During his time at Hull City his efforts, on one occasion, earned him the memorable headline "Onion Stu Lands City In A Pickle": this headline came about after Pearson was sent off against Sheffield Wednesday for calling the linesman "a bloody onion". City lost that game at Hillsborough 4–2 with Pearson having scored both Hull goals before his dismissal. He later joined Manchester United
in 1974 for £200,000.
in the 1976 FA Cup Final. The next year Pearson helped Manchester United win the 1977 FA Cup
against Liverpool, scoring the first of Manchester United's goals in their 2–1 win. He was sidelined for most of the 1978–79 season due to a knee injury but made a full recovery before leaving Manchester United for West Ham United
in August 1979.
, with his cross-shot setting up Trevor Brooking
for the only goal in a 1–0 win over Arsenal. Pearson retired from league football in 1982 due to a knee injury, but continued to play at a lower level, in South Africa
and the NASL
.
in 1985–86 and manager of Northwich Victoria
during the first half of 1986–87. He became assistant manager / coach at West Bromwich Albion
in 1988 and acted as caretaker manager for six games in 1991 following Brian Talbot
's departure. Pearson left Albion in 1992 and was assistant manager at Bradford City
from 1992 to 1994. He has been a pundit for MUTV
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former football player. He was a skilful forward who played in three FA Cup final
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
s.
Hull City
Pearson started his career with Hull CityHull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
. As a young player and replacement for local hero Chris Chilton he was not given an easy time by the Hull City fans. He did, however, soon win them over with skill and clinical finishing. During his time at Hull City his efforts, on one occasion, earned him the memorable headline "Onion Stu Lands City In A Pickle": this headline came about after Pearson was sent off against Sheffield Wednesday for calling the linesman "a bloody onion". City lost that game at Hillsborough 4–2 with Pearson having scored both Hull goals before his dismissal. He later joined 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...
in 1974 for £200,000.
Manchester United
Pearson was bought by Manchester United after they were relegated to the Second Division and was instrumental in getting the club promoted back to the First Division the very next season by scoring 17 goals. Every time he scored a goal he would celebrate with an upraised right fist. He was in the team that lost 1–0 to SouthamptonSouthampton 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...
in the 1976 FA Cup Final. The next year Pearson helped Manchester United win the 1977 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...
against Liverpool, scoring the first of Manchester United's goals in their 2–1 win. He was sidelined for most of the 1978–79 season due to a knee injury but made a full recovery before leaving Manchester United for West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
in August 1979.
West Ham United
He helped the Hammers win the 1980 FA Cup Final1980 FA Cup Final
The 1980 FA Cup Final was contested by West Ham United and Arsenal at Wembley. West Ham won by a single goal, scored by Trevor Brooking.To date, it is the last time a team from outside the top flight has won the FA Cup...
, with his cross-shot setting up Trevor Brooking
Trevor Brooking
Sir Trevor David Brooking CBE is a football player turned manager, on-air analyst, and administrator.Brooking attended Ripple Infants School and left Ilford County High School with 11 O-levels and 2 A-levels....
for the only goal in a 1–0 win over Arsenal. Pearson retired from league football in 1982 due to a knee injury, but continued to play at a lower level, in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and the NASL
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
.
International career
He won 15 caps for England between 1976 and 1978, scoring five goals.Coaching career
After retiring as a player, Pearson moved into coaching, serving as coach of Stockport CountyStockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
in 1985–86 and manager of Northwich Victoria
Northwich Victoria F.C.
Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of...
during the first half of 1986–87. He became assistant manager / coach at West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in 1988 and acted as caretaker manager for six games in 1991 following Brian Talbot
Brian Talbot
Brian Ernest Talbot is an English football manager and former player. His son is Daniel Talbot.-Playing career:...
's departure. Pearson left Albion in 1992 and was assistant manager at Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
from 1992 to 1994. He has been a pundit for MUTV
Manchester United TV
MUTV is an English subscription based television channel, operated by Manchester United FC. The channel first broadcast on 10 September 1998....
.