For the latest in our ongoing series covering those who have achieved legendary status among the support, we feature another former Luton figure who became a fans favourite.
Following on from those already covered – John Moore, David Preece, Mal Donaghy, Brian Lewis, Bruce Rioch, Fred Jardine, Brian Horton, Kevin Nicholls, Tony Read, Steve Foster, Mike Keen, Ian Buxton, Lars Elstrup, Peter Anderson, Graham French, Alan West, David Moss, Terry Branston, John Aston, Paul Futcher, John Ryan, Syd Owen, Marvin Johnson, Malcolm MacDonald, Bob Hatton, Steve Buckley,Chris Coyne, Ron Baynham, John Still, Jack Bannister, Ricky Hill, Chris Nicholl, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Don Givens, Gordon Turner, Brian Stein, Jesse Pye, Raddy Antic, Joe Payne, Max Dougan, Alan Slough, Ray Whittaker, Dave Pacey, Milija Aleksic, Ron Davies, Sandy Davie John O’Rourke, Les Sealey, Bob Morton and Wally Shanks, Gordon Riddick, Billy Bingham,Herbert Moody and Adrian Alston
The latest ex-Hatter to be granted status in our legends hall of fame is Reg Pearce as nominated by Trevor Powell.
Once again, we’re delving into an era from a period before I was born and I’m having to revert to research rather than memories to do Reg Pearce justice.
It would seem that Reg was a late starter when it came to the proessional game not entering the arena until he was approaching his twenty-fifth birthday.
Spotted playing his football in the Cheshire League, by a Luton Town scout, Reg joined the club in 1954.
Reg was a versatile player, originally signed as an inside right, Reg was to go on and play in six different positions before settling into the team as a wing-half with the formidable Gordon Turner grabbing his original slot.
Playing as a wing-half, Reg firmly established himself as a fans favourite before a move north beckoned.
Sunderland offered £20,000 for his services and the Hatters decided that he could leave, content with the knowledge that a young Dave Pacey would provide adequate cover as his replacement.
Sadly, Reg never produced the form he had shown at Kenilworth Road and was, later in his career, to join Peterborough United and Cambridge City, a place he opted to settle in once he retired.
During his career with Luton Town, Reg made 75 league appearances and scored a total of 5 league goals, spanning the period 1954-1958.
Reg Pearce – Mini Fact File
Name – Reginald Stanley Pearce
Date of Birth – 12-January-1930
Place of Birth – Liverpool, England
Height – 5 Feet 10 Inches
Position – Wing Half
Playing Career – Winsford United, Luton Town, Sunderland, Cambridge City, Peterborough United, Cambridge City
If you feel able to share any of your thoughts or memories on the Hatters career of Reg Pearce, please feel free to do so in the comment facility beneath this article.
If you can think of anyone who deserves nominating for coverage in this ongoing series, please drop their name into the comment facility beneath this article.
My thanks go to those who have already nominated faces from the past, they will all be covered, in time.
Next up in the series will be Keith Allen as suggested by Joe Fountain.
COYH’s
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Luton – The Legends Series – Herbert Moody
Once he became established as a wing half, Reg Pearce was one of the driving forces of the Hatters team in the 1950’s. Playing in the old First Division he soon attracted scouts from other clubs.Knowing they had Dave Pacey in reserve, Luton decided to accept the £20,000 bid from Sunderland.It was thought by many he would go on to become an International player, he was that good. Dave Pacey fitted in seamlessly at Kenilworth Road; unfortunately Reg Pearce suffered a badly broken leg very early on in his time at Roker Park. Sadly he would not be the same player again.