Gary Pierce (footballer)

Gary Pierce (born 2 March 1951) is an English former professional football goalkeeper.

Gary Pierce
Personal information
Date of birth (1951-03-02) 2 March 1951
Place of birth Bury, England
Height 6 ft 2 1⁄2 in (1.89 m)[1]
Playing position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
Bury
– Bolton Wanderers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Mossley
1971–1973 Huddersfield Town 23 (0)
1973–1979 Wolverhampton Wanderers 98 (0)
1979–1983 Barnsley 81 (0)
1983–1984 Blackpool 27 (0)
– Accrington Stanley
– Rossendale United
– Chorley
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Pierce began his football career in 1970 at non-league Mossley, before being quickly snapped up by First Division Huddersfield Town for £2,250, where he featured for two seasons. In 1973, he joined top flight Wolverhampton Wanderers for £45,000. Here, he was largely second choice to Phil Parkes, but after Parkes suffered injury, he played in the 1974 League Cup Final. Pierce made a series of outstanding saves in the game, helping Wolves defeat Manchester City 2–1 at Wembley.

Pierce was an ever-present in the 1976–77 season as Wolves won the Second Division at the first attempt, but the club bought Paul Bradshaw upon their return, relegating Pierce to reserve status again. He left Molineux in 1979 for Third Division Barnsley, where he played three seasons, before ending his league career with a season at Blackpool.

At Blackpool, he made 27 consecutive League appearances during the 1983–84 campaign as Sam Ellis' fourth goalkeeping change in seventeen matches. He took over from the on-loan Barry Siddall on 26 November 1983, as the Seasiders won 2–1 at Hereford United. His final game for the club occurred on 5 May 1984, a 3–2 defeat at Aldershot. Drew Brand became Blackpool's fifth goalkeeper used that season when he took over for the three remaining League games.[2] His contract was cancelled later that month and his professional career was over at the age of 33.[3]

Pierce then returned to non-league football with Accrington Stanley, Rossendale United and Chorley. In 1986, he returned to his original club Mossley and played through the 1986–87 season before retiring from playing completely.

After retiring as a player, he later had a spell as manager of Netherfield but is now no longer involved in football.

References
  1. Rollin, Jack, ed. (1980). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1980–81. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 58. ISBN 0362020175.
  2. Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887–1992, Breedon Books Sport (1992), pp.342–343
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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