Stuart Pearce began his football career as an electrician while playing five years for non-league Wealdstone. Coventry City manager Bobby Gould signed him in 1983 for £30,000 after spotting his determination and combative style. Pearce earned 78 England caps and played pivotal roles in the teams that reached the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup and Euro 1996. Pearce initially aspired to be a goalkeeper, inspired by Gordon Banks's save from Pele in 1970, won his first medal as a keeper, switched outfield out of frustration, and later became a defender.
"While he would go on to win 78 caps for England and be a key player in the World Cup 90 and Euro 96 sides that reached the last-four in both tournaments, he began his career training and then working as an electrician during a five-year stint at non-league side Wealdstone. Pearce's big break would come in 1983, when Coventry City boss Bobby Gould spotted something in the non-league left-back and snapped him up in a 30,000 deal."
"My first memory of watching football on TV was the 1970 World Cup, Pearce recalls to FourFourTwo. Gordon Banks and Pele reunited at Wembley I was eight, and Gordon's save from Pele is still the best I've ever seen. I still look back at that save and think, How did he keep that out?' Gordon inspired me to become a goalkeeper I won my first medal in that position, and only became an outfield player out of frustration."
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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