Harold Pearson
Encyclopedia
Harold Frederick Pearson (7 May 1908 – 2 November 1994) was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
. As a youngster he played football for Glascote United, Glascote Methodists, Belgrave YMCA, Belgrave United, Two Gates F.C., Nuneaton Town and Tamworth Castle. He joined West Bromwich Albion
as an amateur in April 1925 and turned professional a month later. His father Hubert Pearson
was also a goalkeeper and the two were together on Albion's books until Hubert's retirement in May 1926.
Harold Pearson made his debut in December 1927, in a Division Two
match against South Shields
. In 1930–31 he helped the club to achieve promotion to the First Division
and played in the 1931 FA Cup Final
, in which Albion beat Birmingham
2–1. In 1932 he earned his only cap
for England
, marking the occasion with a clean sheet in a 3–0 win over Scotland
at Wembley Stadium.
Pearson kept goal in the 1935 FA Cup Final
, but this time earned only a runners-up medal as his team lost 4–2 to Sheffield Wednesday
. After making 303 appearances for West Bromwich Albion, he joined Millwall
for a £300 transfer fee
in August 1937. He remained with Millwall until his retirement in 1940, though he did appear as a guest player for West Ham United
later in Second World War.
He died in November 1994 at the age of 86. By then, he was believed to be the oldest surviving former England international.
Biography
Pearson was born in TamworthTamworth
Tamworth is a town and local government district in Staffordshire, England, located north-east of Birmingham city centre and north-west of London. The town takes its name from the River Tame, which flows through the town, as does the River Anker...
. As a youngster he played football for Glascote United, Glascote Methodists, Belgrave YMCA, Belgrave United, Two Gates F.C., Nuneaton Town and Tamworth Castle. He joined 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...
as an amateur in April 1925 and turned professional a month later. His father Hubert Pearson
Hubert Pearson
Hubert Pearson was an English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for West Bromwich Albion.-International career:...
was also a goalkeeper and the two were together on Albion's books until Hubert's retirement in May 1926.
Harold Pearson made his debut in December 1927, in a Division Two
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
match against South Shields
South Shields F.C.
South Shields F.C. are a football club based in South Shields, England. They have a long and complicated history, with three distinct incarnations taking the name...
. In 1930–31 he helped the club to achieve promotion to the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
and played in the 1931 FA Cup Final
1931 FA Cup Final
The 1931 FA Cup Final was a football match between West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham, played on 25 April 1931 at the original Wembley Stadium in London. The showpiece event was the final match of the 1930–31 staging of English football's primary cup competition, the Football Association Challenge...
, in which Albion beat Birmingham
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
2–1. In 1932 he earned his only cap
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for 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...
, marking the occasion with a clean sheet in a 3–0 win over Scotland
Scotland 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...
at Wembley Stadium.
Pearson kept goal in the 1935 FA Cup Final
1935 FA Cup Final
The 1935 FA Cup Final was contested by Sheffield Wednesday and West Bromwich Albion at Wembley. Sheffield Wednesday won 4–2, with goals scored by Jack Palethorpe, Mark Hooper and Ellis Rimmer...
, but this time earned only a runners-up medal as his team lost 4–2 to Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
. After making 303 appearances for West Bromwich Albion, he joined Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
for a £300 transfer fee
Transfer (football)
In professional association football, a transfer is the action taken whenever a player under contract moves between professional clubs. It refers to the transferring of a player's registration from one professional association football club to another. In general, the players can only be...
in August 1937. He remained with Millwall until his retirement in 1940, though he did appear as a guest player 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...
later in Second World War.
He died in November 1994 at the age of 86. By then, he was believed to be the oldest surviving former England international.