‘Gordon Banks’ save from Pele inspired me to become a goalkeeper. I only became a defender because the players in front of me were so shabby’ Stuart Pearce on his admiration for the England legend

Stuart Pearce.

Stuart Pearce was famously something of late starter when it came to his football career.

While he would go on to win 78 caps for England and be a key player in the World Cup 90 and Euro 96 sides that reached the last-four in both tournaments, he began his career training and then working as an electrician during a five-year stint at non-league side Wealdstone.