Wally was an excellent goalkeeper who signed for Tooting & Mitcham United from local rivals Sutton United at the start of the 1958-59 campaign. In his first season with us he was part of the side which reached the FA Cup Third Round Proper. Although he would miss the big third round tie at Sandy Lane against eventual winners of the competition Nottingham Forest due to a facial injury.

 

In his second season with the club he won the Isthmian League Title, together with the London Senior Cup and Surrey Senior Cup’s. He also played in the London Charity Cup Final and the London Challenge Cup Final versus Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, both of which were narrowly lost. The following term there was success in the Surrey Senior Shield Final. He would also be selected to play for the London and Surrey FA’s.

 

During his seven seasons at Sandy Lane, Wally would take some time out to coach our Junior sides. In the 1965/66 season Tooting & Mitcham received an England Amateur International X1 in a challenge match, our own John Robertson skippered the England team. With our goalkeeper Ray Watkins unable to play Wally Pearson came out of retirement and put on the goalie’s jersey that evening and some of his saves in the first half were reminiscent of his playing days. England won the match by four goals to two.

 

Wally would make 194 appearances for the club and in the 1960/61 season he was an ever present in what was a traumatic campaign as our great Terrors side broke up. When he packed up playing he would become part of the selection committee which picked the first team. This would consist of a small panel of former players and committee men.

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Article written by Ian Bullock TMUFC Members Club Vice President