Stephen Pears

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Steven Pears (born January 22, 1962 in Brandon, County Durham) was a goalkeeper who played for Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Liverpool and Hartlepool United.

Steven Pears started his career at Manchester United as an understudy to Gary Bailey. However, Pears struggled to displace and break into the first team. During the 1983-4 season, in order to gain match practice, he was send to Middlesbrough on loan where he became a fan favourite. Middlesbrough attempted to sign him permently but the club failed to raise the £80,000 fee. However, Middlesbrough made a second attempt to sign Pears and he transferred to the club permently in 1985.

The following season saw the club get relegated. Despite this, his performances gained him critical acclaim from the fans. In 1987-8, Pears helped the club win promotion. In this season, Pears also set a club record of seven consecutive clean sheets. Some of his most notable performances this year came against Everton in the FA Cup and against Leicester in a performance which he dedicated to his late father. Pears went to make over 400 appearances for Middlesbrough from 1983 to 1995. In this time in 1992 he was called up to the England squad but had to pull out of the squad after breaking his cheekbone after a collision with Dion Dublin.

He was released in 1995 after a sell out testimonial match, which also became the last ever match at Ayresome Park before Middlesbrough moved to the Riverside Stadium. In this match, Pears was allowed to take a penalty which gave him the prestige of being the last ever person to score a goal at Ayresome Park. Pears then moved onto Liverpool to provide goalkeeping cover. However, after making no appearances he moved onto Hartlepool shortly after where he played 19 times before retiring at the age of 35.

Pears is now the Middlesbrough Academy goalkeeping coach where he has helped to bring through the likes of Ross Turnbull and David Knight.