Video: Pearce is unveiled by Longford AFC (Gloucester Citizen)
Stuart Pearce is making a sensational return to football by signing to play for a struggling non-league side.
Now aged 53, the Nottingham Forest and England legend has joined Longford AFC.
Pearce last played competitive football more than a decade ago in the Championship but is set to briefly return to action in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division 2.
Grassroots football is essential
Pearce told local paper the Gloucester Citizen: “I believe grassroots football is essential to the lifeblood of the game.
“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 transform both the dressing room confidence, as well as the on the pitch performance and seeing how far they can go up the league.”
Longford are in desperate need of help as they are languishing at the bottom of the table after losing all of their games, conceding 183 goals and scoring only three.
The club has struggled after their first team and manager all left the club just before the start of the season.
Current manager Nick Dawe has told the legendary left-back he will still need to pay his £5-a-game subs.
Pearce will train with the squad and play at least one home game at an unconfirmed date.
Psycho in profile: Stuart Pearce in numbers
- Played 401 games for Forest scoring 63 goals over a 12-year spell
- Is Nottingham Forest’s most-capped England player playing 76 times while at the club
- Has managed Forest, Man City, England under-21s and the GB Olympic team
