The Pearce Brothers

Allan Pearce - striker: 55 Lilywhite caps, with 46 goals for Eastern Suburbs                                    Graham Pearce - defender: 125 Lilywhite daps, with 7 goals for Eastern Suburbs

Following last week’s discussion on the contribution the Webber brothers made to our clubs re-emergence as a football power during the 2,000 decade, this week we look at the Pearce brothers: Graham & Allan. Both individually and as a sibling combination were key members of the Eastern Suburbs squad during from the early 2,000’s and into the early 2010 decade.

Graham started his playing career for Western Suburbs in Wellies, before coming north to Auckland where he initially played for Mt Wellington, who after two mergers are now: Uni-Mt Bohemians. Graham also played for the East Auckland franchise club during the 2003 National League season. East Auckland drew on players from the four neighbouring clubs in the greater eastern catchment area, those clubs included: Mt Wellington, Eastern Suburbs, Ellerslie and Fencibles. The East Aucklanders finished the minor premiership on equal points with Miramar Rangers at the head of the table and narrowly lost the grand final 3 – 2 to Miramar. Unfortunately and somewhat surprisingly the East Auckland club did not make the ‘cut’ for the 2004 revamped National League. 

Eastern Suburbs were fortunate Graham decided to play for the Lilywhites in 2003, he also coached Eastern Suburbs in the 2011 season when we won the winter 1^st division. Allan followed his older brother by joining Eastern Suburbs in 2007 when he returned from playing in England.

Both Pearce’s enjoyed strong international careers:

• Allan represented New Zealand at Under 17 and under 23 level. He made his full All Whites debut in a 3-1 World Cup qualifier win over New Caledonia in September 2008. He also played professional football in England for Barnsley and then Lincoln City.
• Graham played three full internationals for New Zealand, making his debut in a 0–0 draw with Malaysia in August 2000