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Leatherhead sign ex-Football League defender with over 450 professional appearances

8th tier Leatherhead sign 35 year old ex-Football League defender with over 450 professional appearances in Alex Pearce.

It was only last season that he was playing in League Two with AFC Wimbledon, then in May, he dropped to the Southern League Premier South with Bracknell.

Now he’s swapped Berkshire for Surrey in the hope of helping the former Arsenal player Ian Selley, in getting Leatherhead get out of the relegation zone and up the table.

His new side currently sit 19th in the Isthmian League – South Central Division, with 4 points from 6 games played, with some games in hand over teams above them.

Leatherhead FC (@LeatherheadFC) tweeted: “We are delighted to announce the signing of experienced defender Alex Pearce.

“Alex has previously played for Reading, Bournemouth, Derby, Millwall and AFC Wimbledon and brings a wealth of experience to The Tanners. Welcome onboard Alex 💚”

The Isthmian League wrote: “Alex Pearce adds strength to the Leatherhead defence.

“Leatherhead have announced the signing of vastly experienced defender Alex Pearce.

“Alex came through the youth setup at Reading, and then became something of a Reading legend, making more than two hundred first team appearances and becoming first team captain.

“He also had loan spells with Northampton Town, AFC Bournemouth, Norwich City and Southampton whilst a Royal.

“After departing Reading he moved north to play for Derby County, and then spent time with Bristol City before signing for Millwall, first on loan and then permanently.

“A period at AFC Wimbledon came next, until he departed the Dons in the summer.

“He started this season at our level for the first time, with Pitching In Southern side Bracknell Town, and recently found himself leading the Robins as Caretaker Manager.

“He has played international football for the Republic of Ireland.”

HIS CAREER:

Youth career
2001–2006 – Reading

Senior career
2006–2015 – Reading – 240 games (15 goals)
2007 → Northampton Town (loan) – 15 games (1 goal)
2007–2008 → AFC Bournemouth (loan) – 12 games (0 goals)
2008 → Norwich City (loan) – 11 games (0 goals)
2008 → Southampton (loan) – 9 games (2 goals)
2015–2019 – Derby County – 53 games (3 goals)
2016 → Bristol City (loan) – 7 games (0 goals)
2019-2022 → Millwall (loan) – 81 games (1 goal)
2022–2024 – AFC Wimbledon – 39 games (1 goal)
2024 – Bracknell Town
2024– Leatherhead

International career
2006–2007 – Scotland U19 – 3 games (0 goals)
2008 – Scotland U21 – 2 games (0 goals)
2012–2017 – Republic of Ireland – 9 games (2 goals)

He won Reading Player of the Season in 2011/12, a season the club won the Championship title. He also captained them in the historic 2015 FA Cup semi-final, losing 2-1 in extra time against Arsenal.

Here’s how fans reacted as Leatherhead sign ex-Football League defender Alex Pearce, with over 450 professional appearances, experience he can share and put to use with his new side…

@Boizey: That’s a great signing. Is this in addition to the current group or is someone leaving?

@WalksLulu: Absolutely mental 🤯😂

@AlanSurrey: He was playing for us last year, gotta be a great signing for you that, sure he could still play higher, no disrespect intended 😉

@WalksLulu: We’re just a huge club mate 🤯😂 But yeah, shocked me 😂 Must have dreamed of playing at Fetcham Grove from a young age 👀🤔😂

@AlanSurrey: Nah must be the 🤑🤑🤑 your paying him 😂😂

@WalksLulu: 😂😂😂 gotta compete on the money front with Farnham and K’s I suppose 😂

@JGGoalkeeping87: Love Pearcy what a guy

@bluewhitewall: Congratulations. Big signing for you. I am sure he will be a great addition and will share his great knowledge to the others.

Nick Waldron: Yep. Looks on paper a great signing. Adds vast experience and knowledge to the defence and can score as well.

John Drake: We need something to stop goals being slipped in in last 45

Adrian Smith: He looks impressive.

@AdamBestwick3: Surely not the same Alex Pearce I watched score for Derby?!?!?!?

@foreverayellow: a brilliant signing for leatherhead, really hope they can get out of the drop zone and move on up the table, will be keeping an eye

@owenaskey: wishing him all the best, quality player at Reading, mad celebrations, hopefully he can do it again at Leatherhead. Always good to see a footballer still playing for the love of the game rather than retire at EFL level

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