Shaun Pearson

Shaun Pearson (born 28 April 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Conference National side Grimsby Town.

Pearson began his career at Spalding United in 2006 before moving to Stamford in 2008. A year later he moved up the football pyramid again by signing for Boston United where he enjoyed two seasons, earning promotion to the Conference North. In the summer of 2011 he joined Grimsby Town where he has picked up two Lincolnshire Senior Cup honours and a runners-up medal in the 2013 FA Trophy Final. In 2011 he was also capped by the England C team.

Career

Early career

Pearson began his career with United Counties Football League side Spalding United. His appearances during the 2007–08 season earned him the Supporters Player of the Season award,^[1] which captured the attention of local rivals Stamford. In his only season with The Daniels he went on to clinch a similar award to the one he had achieved with Spalding the previous season.^[2]

Boston United

In the summer of 2009 Pearson made a second move in two seasons by joining Northern Premier League side Boston United on 8 July 2009.^[3] Pearson became one of the clubs favoured centre halves in the plans of management duo Rob Scott and Paul Hurst. At the end of the season Pearson and Boston earned promotion to the Conference North division after beating Bradford Park Avenue in the play-off final.^[4] During the course of the 2010–11 season United's management duo had departed to take over from Neil Woods at Grimsby Town^[5] and speculation mounted that Pearson would be joining his former mentors at Blundell Park, Pearson was quick to quash the rumours saying that although he wanted to become a professional footballer he wanted to do it with Boston and was hopeful he could aid the clubs promotion bid to the Conference National.^[6] The rumour had also unsettled Boston chairman David Newton who said his main aim was to keep Pearson at York Street following two outstanding seasons.^[7] After failing to earn promotion with United, Pearson admitted he could be about to join Scott and Hurst at Grimsby.^[8] His time at Boston brought 17 goals in 67 league appearances, Pearson was also handed the Supporters Player of the Season award in both of his seasons at York Street.^[9][10]

Grimsby Town

2011–12

On 27 June 2011 Grimsby made an official bid for Pearson that was rejected by Boston for being "way too low" under what the club had wanted for the player.^[11] Eventually Pearson became a Grimsby player with The Mariners also recruiting fellow Boston player Anthony Church.^[12] Both moves caused issues between the two clubs and a court tribunal had to be set in November 2011 to settle the compensation Grimsby would have to pay Boston for both players.^[13] No sooner than a month into his career at Grimsby, he had fetched his first trophy for the club in helping Town lift the Lincolnshire Senior Cup after beating Lincoln City at Sincil Bank.^[14] Pearson made his professional debut for The Mariners in a 5–0 defeat against Braintree Town.^[15] He would wait until 20 March 2012 before he finally netted his first goal for The Mariners in a 2–1 victory away at Hayes & Yeading United. Pearson's goal turned out to be the winner as he scored a "thumping header" from a Peter Winn cross in the 56th minute.^[16] On 9 April 2012 Pearson scored both goals in a 2–0 win over Gateshead, the first a header and the second he managed to turn the ball over the line after his initial header had been cleared off the line.^[17] He ended the season having scored 3 goals in 33 appearances.^[18]

2012–13

Pearson continued his form and run in the team initially partnering Fleetwood Town loanee Nathan Pond for the first half of the 2012–13 season. The club had already defended the Lincolnshire Senior Cup by yet again beating local rivals Lincoln City on a penalty shootout at Sincil Bank.^[19] The new season for The Mariners saw them race ahead in the league with Wrexham and Newport County. His first goal of the season came on 1 September 2012 in a 2–0 win away at Hereford United.^[20] The club also went on a healthy run in the FA Trophy and after defeating Dartford over two legs in the semi-final they met Wrexham in the final at Wembley Stadium, but even with Pearson shaking off an injury to play, Town suffered a 4–1 defeat on penalties after the game had ended 1–1 after normal time.^[21] Pearson scored his second goal of the season on 3 April 2013 in a 3–1 win over Macclesfield Town, the win help aided Town's promotion push,^[22] that was eventually halted when they lost over two legs to Newport County in the play-off semi finals.^[23]

2013–14

Ahead of the 2013–14 season Pearson put pen to paper on a new one year contract, with the player saying Blundell Park was the best place to be for his development.^[24]

International career

In August 2011 Pearson and Town team mate Charlie I'Anson were called up to the England C team to face the India Under-23's team.^[25]

Personal life

Pearson was a boyhood supporter of York City.^[26]

Honours

Boston United

• Lincolnshire Senior Cup (1): 2009–10
• Northern Premier League Play-offs Winners (1): 2009–10
• Supporters Player of The Season: 2009–10, 2010–11

Grimsby Town

• Lincolnshire Senior Cup (2): 2011–12, 2012–13
• FA Trophy : Runners-up, 2012–13

Spalding United

• Supporters Player of The Season: 2007–08

Stamford

• Supporters Player of The Season: 2008–09

References

External links

• Shaun Pearson career stats at Soccerbase