Some players develop an incredible bond with the supporters. Such a player was goalkeeper Chris Pearce, a real character at Burnley. What further endeared him was that he was there in the season, 1991/92, when Burnley battled their way out of the Fourth Division. Manager Mullen tried four other keepers that season and Pearce eventually missed out at the end of the campaign. Like most goalkeepers he had memorable games and moments; the latter none more so in one game when there was an almighty melee in the goalmouth with flying boots, pushes, shoves, bodies heaped on top of each other, and no-one with a clue where the ball was underneath this scrum of players until Pearce eventually emerged grinning from ear to ear clutching the ball. It broke his heart almost to be left out of the final line-ups of the season but that didnt stop him joining in the joyous celebrations at Turf Moor when in suit and tie, he leapt on the dug-out roof to wave and bow to the fans who loved him. Pearcey, Pearcey, give us a dance, they yelled. And he obliged them with his characteristic gusto and humour. Fans felt that manager Mullen had treated him badly when he was abruptly released at the end of such a triumphant season.
