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Bill Pearson
BILL Pearson, a former professional footballer and later a prominent York and district player in football and cricket, has died after a long illness. He was 87.
He was born in Clonmel, Ireland, but came to York as a child and lived there for the rest of his life. He went to school in Bishopthorpe and then spent his working life with Liptons and then Symbol Biscuits.
During the Second World War he was in the RAF and guested with Aberdeen, Manchester City and York City.
He later played for Grimsby Town, Chester and Preston and while with Grimsby was given the unenviable task by manager Charlie Spencer of marking Stanley Matthews, the famous England right winger, who was playing for Stoke.
"It was just like chasing shadows," he recalled later. "We held them to 1-1 at half-time and Mr Spencer thought we had a chance of winning so he switched me to centre forward. We lost 4-1."
When his professional career was ended by a knee injury, he reverted to amateur football, playing for Terry's, Ardua, Bishopthorpe and Dringhouses and was on the committee at White Rose. He then became a referee.
Mr Pearson was a fine cricketer, opening the bowling and batting for Bishopthorpe in the York and District League and latterly played bowls at Acomb and Bishopthorpe.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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