Wolves’ League Cup winner has one season at Blackpool - Gary Pierce 1951 - 2025 - 1/2

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Wolves’ League Cup winner has one season at Blackpool - Gary Pierce 1951 - 2025​

A tribute by Blackpool historian Gerry Wolstenholme 1/2

Gary Pierce was born in Bury on 2 March 1951 and as a goalkeeper began his senior football career with non-league Mossley before signing for Huddersfield Town in February 1971. He had played 23 League games for Huddersfield before he was transferred to Wolverhampton Wanderers for a fee of £40,000 in August 1973. He went on to play 98 League games, and 111 games in all, for Wolves and was a League Cup winner with the club in 1974 when Manchester City were beaten 2-1. In that game, only his 14th for the club, he was a late replacement for the injured Phil Parkes and played a significant part in the Wolves’ victory. Pierce commented in a post-match interview, ‘I shall remember this day for as long as I live. I doubt whether I shall experience anything quite like it ever again.’

Wolves transferred him to Barnsley, again for a fee of £40,000, in July 1979. He went on to play 81 League games for Barnsley, a club he helped to promotion to Division 2 in the 1980/81 season.

Blackpool signed him from Barnsley in August 1983. And he made his first appearance for the Seasiders in a pre-season friendly game against Morecambe on 3 August 1983 when he had little to do as Blackpool won 5-0. Unfortunately he suffered an injury in the second pre-season friendly game against Wren Rovers on 4 August 1983 and Shaun Steele took over in goal as Blackpool won 2-1.

He recovered quickly and was fit for the third friendly game of the season when Blackpool lost 1-0 to Northwich Victoria on 6 August 1983 and he also played in the pre-season friendly against Horwich RMI on 9 August 1983 when Blackpool won 2-0.

He made his competitive debut for Blackpool in the Lancashire Manx Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers on 13 August 1983 when Blackpool lost 4-2. He was, however, suffering from a thumb injury sustained in training when he had stopped a Keith Mercer thunderbolt and the injury ‘hampered his efforts to cut out a cross and Chris Thompson headed home.’ However, he remained in the side for the following Lancashire Manx Cup ties a 3-2 defeat by Preston North End on 16 August 1983.

After he played in another pre-season friendly game, a 3-1 victory over Manchester City on 18 August 1983, he was in the side for the final Lancashire Manx Cup tie, a 0-0 draw with Burnley on 20 August 1983.

However his thumb had not completely healed and by 23 August 1983 he had it in plaster, as it turned out to have been broken. He said, ‘I wanted to carry on but it was the thought of what might happen in the future that made me see sense. The hand has to be put in plaster within six weeks of this injury being diagnosed to avoid disability in later life. We are being optimistic with the three weeks’ deadline, but I don’t think I could face any longer out of action.’ Blackpool physiotherapist Billy Haydock commented, ‘Goalkeepers are a daft and a brave breed. But if we’d left Gary’s injury by the age of 40 he wouldn’t have been able to lift a pint pot. His hand could have been useless.’

Consequently out of action and with specialists recommending a 10-week rest, Pierce commented, ‘I’m going daft training all week and not being able to play on a Saturday.’ And the thumb injury did cause him to miss the start of the season and plunged Blackpool into a goalkeeping crisis.

The Manchester Evening News reported on 23 August, ‘Worried Blackpool boss Sam Ellis approached John Bond [Burnley manager] today to help solve a goalkeeping emergency at Bloomfield Road. With young Gary Pierce injured Blackpool faced their League kick-off against Reading on Saturday without a goalkeeper and moved in for Burnley reserve Bill O’Rourke. Blackpool wanted him for a month’s loan to cover for Pierce who has a broken bone in his hand.’ In the event O’Rourke was signed until 26 September, 14 days after Pierce was estimated to have the plaster taken off his broken thumb and then begin his ‘fight to get his place back’.

While Pierce was recovering, O’Rourke therefore played the first six games of the League season before returning to Burnley. But there was still a problem for although Pierce had made his comeback appearance for Blackpool in the Central League side on 20 September 1983, when Blackpool suffered a 3-2 defeat by Bradford City, having watched that game, manager Ellis commented, ‘It seems to me that Gary isn’t showing the confidence I would have expected and his reaction indicates he could need a few more reserve games before he gets his full confidence and form back.’

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Consequently Ellis was obliged to find another goalkeeper quickly. About the possibility of signing O’Rourke on a permanent basis he commented, ‘If I had cash I wouldn’t spend it on a goalkeeper when I know Gary Pierce will be fighting fit very soon.’ Consequently he signed Simon Steele on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion in time for a debut against Mansfield town on 27 September. Meanwhile Pierce continued his rehabilitation and Ellis once again commented, ‘I’m not rushing Pierce back when Billy [O’Rourke] is still here. We are going to need Gary to be peak-fit and available for a busy season.’ However, Ellis stated that Pierce needed ‘to sharpen his match practice still further with an ‘A’ team run on Saturday’. He duly played against Rochdale and came through unscathed.

He went on to play three further games in the Central League side against Coventry City reserves on 25 October, Port Vale reserves on 8 November and against Preston North End reserves on 15 November. Unfortunately all three games were lost 1-2, 1-4 and 0-1 respectively.

By then Steele had returned to Brighton after three games and Barry Siddall had been brought in on loan from Port Vale and he played seven games by which time Pierce’s injury had completely healed and Ellis decided that he was ready for his senior return.

Pierce, therefore, made his long-awaited first team comeback in the FA Cup first round tie against Gainsborough Trinity on 19 November 1983. He came through safely and played a sterling game and when Gainsborough were threatening to score a quick equaliser, ‘Jimmy Snee raced down the right flank and crossed at the by-line but goalkeeper Gary Pierce was quick to cut it out.’ Blackpool scored again and eventually won 2-0.

His League debut for Blackpool followed against Hereford United on 26 November 1983 when he ‘showed outstanding form’ as Blackpool won 2-1 and thus scotched suggestions that manager Ellis should sign another goalkeeper as Pierce had missed the first 16 League games of the season. However, Ellis stated that he was happy to have kept faith with Pierce, who from then was an automatic choice until very late in the season.

Pierce shone against Aldershot who began with great confidence in their game at Bloomfield Road on 2 January 1984 but Pierce continually ‘saved with equal confidence’ as he inspired Blackpool to a 5-0 win, their biggest victory of the season.

And Ellis‘ faith was further justified when, at Reading on 14 January 1984, Pierce made a series of brilliant saves, including keeping out a penalty by Stuart Beavon but ultimately he could not prevent Blackpool losing 2-0.

When Blackpool defeated Manchester City 2-1 in the third round of the FA Cup on 7 January 1984, Pierce ‘was not troubled by a single shot in the first 30 minutes’ and subsequently restricted City to just the one goal. However exit from the FA Cup quickly followed. Despite playing an excellent game in the FA Cup fourth round tie against Oxford United on 28 January 1984, he had no chance when Oxford were awarded two penalties both of which they scored to give their side a 2-1 victory.

At Crewe on 11 February 1984 Crewe pressed for a winner but ‘Superb saves by Gary Pierce from Walter and Dave Pullar only delayed the Alex victory’. But, despite his best efforts and in front of a crowd of 4942, the best of the season at Gresty Road, he could not prevent a Crewe’ winner with two minutes remaining.

With Blackpool riding high in the table, they had a hard-fought game against Mansfield Town on 31 March 1984, the Mansfield and Sutton Recorder reported that it was ‘Stags’ Dave Caldwell versus Blackpool ‘keeper Gary Pierce – with the ex-Wolves man coming out tops with some good saves’ as the game was drawn 1-1.

And Hereford, on a 16-match unbeaten run, were thwarted by Pierce on 28 April when poor finishing and ‘a good display by home goalkeeper Gary Pierce combined to deny them’ as Blackpool won 3-1.

H played what turned out to be his final League game for Blackpool in 3-2 defeat by Aldershot on 5 May 1984 and unfortunately one press report read, ‘Pierce reacted like a novice to give Lawrence the winner.’ Thus, after a run of 32 consecutive League and Cup games, he was rather surprisingly left out for the final three League games of the season and, equally surprisingly, he was replaced by Scotsman Drew Brand who Blackpool had signed as a non-contract player just six weeks earlier.

Equally surprisingly, his proposed new one-year contract was cancelled and Blackpool released him shortly after the Aldershot game. He had played 27 League games, five FA Cup ties, three Lancashire Manx Cup ties, one Associate Members Cup tie, five Central League games and five pre-season friendly games for Blackpool in the 1983/84 season. And he rightly takes his place in the long history of Blackpool Football Club.

After a career in which he played 229 League games for his various clubs, he joined non-league Chorley in July 1984 and later managed Accrington Stanley, Netherfield and Radcliffe.

He passed away after a short illness in Bury Hospice on 24 May 2025.

Gerry Wolstenholme

 

[BigHandsOliverKahn]

Wasn't a bad keeper for us. Sam Ellis seemed to like having a few golden oldies in the side back then who'd played at a higher level. Great that he had his day at Wembley with Wolves. Didn't realise he was from Bury. RIP Gary.

 

[Shootz]

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Consequently Ellis was obliged to find another goalkeeper quickly. About the possibility of signing O’Rourke on a permanent basis he commented, ‘If I had cash I wouldn’t spend it on a goalkeeper when I know Gary Pierce will be fighting fit very soon.’ Consequently he signed Simon Steele on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion in time for a debut against Mansfield town on 27 September. Meanwhile Pierce continued his rehabilitation and Ellis once again commented, ‘I’m not rushing Pierce back when Billy [O’Rourke] is still here. We are going to need Gary to be peak-fit and available for a busy season.’ However, Ellis stated that Pierce needed ‘to sharpen his match practice still further with an ‘A’ team run on Saturday’. He duly played against Rochdale and came through unscathed.

He went on to play three further games in the Central League side against Coventry City reserves on 25 October, Port Vale reserves on 8 November and against Preston North End reserves on 15 November. Unfortunately all three games were lost 1-2, 1-4 and 0-1 respectively.

By then Steele had returned to Brighton after three games and Barry Siddall had been brought in on loan from Port Vale and he played seven games by which time Pierce’s injury had completely healed and Ellis decided that he was ready for his senior return.

Pierce, therefore, made his long-awaited first team comeback in the FA Cup first round tie against Gainsborough Trinity on 19 November 1983. He came through safely and played a sterling game and when Gainsborough were threatening to score a quick equaliser, ‘Jimmy Snee raced down the right flank and crossed at the by-line but goalkeeper Gary Pierce was quick to cut it out.’ Blackpool scored again and eventually won 2-0.

His League debut for Blackpool followed against Hereford United on 26 November 1983 when he ‘showed outstanding form’ as Blackpool won 2-1 and thus scotched suggestions that manager Ellis should sign another goalkeeper as Pierce had missed the first 16 League games of the season. However, Ellis stated that he was happy to have kept faith with Pierce, who from then was an automatic choice until very late in the season.

Pierce shone against Aldershot who began with great confidence in their game at Bloomfield Road on 2 January 1984 but Pierce continually ‘saved with equal confidence’ as he inspired Blackpool to a 5-0 win, their biggest victory of the season.

And Ellis‘ faith was further justified when, at Reading on 14 January 1984, Pierce made a series of brilliant saves, including keeping out a penalty by Stuart Beavon but ultimately he could not prevent Blackpool losing 2-0.

When Blackpool defeated Manchester City 2-1 in the third round of the FA Cup on 7 January 1984, Pierce ‘was not troubled by a single shot in the first 30 minutes’ and subsequently restricted City to just the one goal. However exit from the FA Cup quickly followed. Despite playing an excellent game in the FA Cup fourth round tie against Oxford United on 28 January 1984, he had no chance when Oxford were awarded two penalties both of which they scored to give their side a 2-1 victory.

At Crewe on 11 February 1984 Crewe pressed for a winner but ‘Superb saves by Gary Pierce from Walter and Dave Pullar only delayed the Alex victory’. But, despite his best efforts and in front of a crowd of 4942, the best of the season at Gresty Road, he could not prevent a Crewe’ winner with two minutes remaining.

With Blackpool riding high in the table, they had a hard-fought game against Mansfield Town on 31 March 1984, the Mansfield and Sutton Recorder reported that it was ‘Stags’ Dave Caldwell versus Blackpool ‘keeper Gary Pierce – with the ex-Wolves man coming out tops with some good saves’ as the game was drawn 1-1.

And Hereford, on a 16-match unbeaten run, were thwarted by Pierce on 28 April when poor finishing and ‘a good display by home goalkeeper Gary Pierce combined to deny them’ as Blackpool won 3-1.

H played what turned out to be his final League game for Blackpool in 3-2 defeat by Aldershot on 5 May 1984 and unfortunately one press report read, ‘Pierce reacted like a novice to give Lawrence the winner.’ Thus, after a run of 32 consecutive League and Cup games, he was rather surprisingly left out for the final three League games of the season and, equally surprisingly, he was replaced by Scotsman Drew Brand who Blackpool had signed as a non-contract player just six weeks earlier.

Equally surprisingly, his proposed new one-year contract was cancelled and Blackpool released him shortly after the Aldershot game. He had played 27 League games, five FA Cup ties, three Lancashire Manx Cup ties, one Associate Members Cup tie, five Central League games and five pre-season friendly games for Blackpool in the 1983/84 season. And he rightly takes his place in the long history of Blackpool Football Club.

After a career in which he played 229 League games for his various clubs, he joined non-league Chorley in July 1984 and later managed Accrington Stanley, Netherfield and Radcliffe.

He passed away after a short illness in Bury Hospice on 24 May 2025.

Gerry Wolstenholme

View attachment 24585

My late uncle has Denis Laws shirt and the City goalkeepers shirt from the 1974 League Cup final he played in, he also had his Man City tracksuit that he wore as assistant manager to Ron Saunders and i remember him wearing it to cut the lawn!