Pearson started his career with hometown club Hull City, whom he joined as an amateur while doing an apprenticeship as a telephone engineer.
He scored 44 league goals for the Tigers after becoming a first team regular when record scorer Chris Chilton left in 1971.
During interviews after the game, Barry Davies described him as "a big occasion player" and suggested that but for his injuries he would have been England's finest striker.
[citation needed] Pearson retired from league football in 1982 due to a knee injury, but continued to play at a lower level, in South Africa and the NASL.
[2] He became assistant manager/coach at West Bromwich Albion in 1988 and acted as caretaker manager for six games in 1991 following Brian Talbot's departure.