FORMER England legend Stuart Pearce is to return to the pitch 14 years on from retiring after signing for minnows Longford AFC, a team dubbed ‘the worst in England'.
Longford have lost all 18 games so far this season in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division Two, scoring only three times and conceding a staggering 183 goals.
They had been teasing the “biggest signing in the club's history” on Twitter and they haven't disappointed, bringing in the man known as ‘Psycho'.
The passionate left-back, 53, picked up 78 caps for England and scored five goals. He played in the World Cup semi-final in 1990 and the Euro 96 semis but has now turned to grass-roots to help turn around Longford.
The move has been made with the support of Direct Line as part of the insurer's #directfix campaign. Pearce will play in a home game for Longford, although which one is yet to be announced.
Pearce started out his career at Wealdstone and went on to have great success at Coventry City, Nottingham Forest – who he captained under the management of Brian Clough – Newcastle, West Ham and Manchester City.
He then moved into management with Man City before taking charge of the England U21s, Great Britain Olympic team and Nottingham Forest.
Pearce said: “I started out in Non-League football playing for Wealdstone before joining Coventry City.
“So I'm looking forward to working with manager Nick Dawe, and helping a group of talented young footballers achieve their dreams and, hopefully transforming both the dressing room confidence, as well as the on-the-pitch performance, and seeing how far they can go up the league.”
Longford manager Nick Dawe added: “A year ago we were playing in front of one man and his dog and now we are set to attract hundreds for Stuart Pearce's debut.
“Stuart knows that there will be no special treatment, he will still need to pay his £5 a game subs.”
