Pearce the former Three Lions and Nottingham For est skipper and now Pitching In ambassador - visited both Northern Premier League club Ilkeston Town and Southern League side Malvern Town to congratulate a dedicated duo on being crowned Pitching In Volunteers of the Season.
Ilkeston's Mark Frost, 50, and Malvern's Josh Moorhouse, 23, were two of three volunteers recognised for their efforts and rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Dublin for last season's Europa League final.
The pair in addition to Howard Bailey, a volunteer from Isthmian League club Cheshunt got the chance to watch Atalanta beat Bayern Leverkusen 3-0 before playing on the famous Aviva Stadium pitch alongside legends Diego Forlan and Robert Pires.
And off the back of that who cut his prize, Pearce teeth in Non-League football playing for Wealdstone before navigating his way up to the highest level visited both.
Frost and Moorhouse at the end of last month to congratulate them on their achievements.
Pitching In, Entain's grassroots sport Investment programme and sponsor of the Trident Leagues, launched the Volunteer of The Season Award to celebrate the thousands of volunteers across the country who dedicate their time to supporting grassroots and non-elite football.
Pearce knows people like Frost, Moorhouse and Bailey - who is due to be visited later this month are the lifeblood of the Non-League game and urged others around the country to follow in their dedicated footsteps.
"It's an absolute honour for me to be here, have a chat with both Mark and Josh congratulate them," said Pearce, who earned 78 international caps and helped England reach both the Italia 90 World Cup and Euro 96 semi-finals.
This story is from the September 15, 2024 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 15, 2024 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SKY'S THE LIMIT FOR TAGS TEAM
I FELT like I had been magically transported to an alternative universe of Non-League spectator consumption on my recent visit to Hashtag United.
BAZZA'S BACK AT SAINTS WITH IAN
ST ALBANS City have brought in Ian Culverhouse to help rescue their season – and welcomed the return of a legend at the same time.
RECORD NOT ON RYAN'S AGENDA
QUORN player-boss Ryan Beswick won't be drawn on whether he is aiming to make his side Northern Premier League Midlands Division 'invincibles' after a stunning first half of the season.
DOCKERS SPOIL CITY PARTY AT THE DEATH
TILBURY were the party poopers this weekend, as they defeated Cambridge City at the newly opened FWD-IP Community Stadium in front of 1,459 fans.
BLUES ARE GUNNING FOR A CUP BONANZA
HERTFORD Town's youngsters are Gunn-ing for glory in the FA Youth Cup - as they prepare for a plumb tie against the mighty Arsenal.
DEAN'S IN IT TO WINS IT AT BLUES
AT the start of the season, the FA Vase was barely on Winsford United’s radar.
WE'RE DIALLED IN FOR A GLORY RUN
STEP 7 club Dial Square FC have reached another milestone after stretching their unbeaten home record to TWO YEARS!
AXED ANGELO PLANS AN INSTANT RETURN
ANGELO Harrop insists he will bounce back from his shock sacking by Braintree Town - and is already preparing to dive back into management.
THOMAS LEAVES IT LATE FOR MARTYRS
FRAZER Thomas netted an 88th-minute winner to give Merthyr Town victory and end Bracknell’s 13-match unbeaten run in the Southern League Premier South.
OSHILAJA SEES RED IN LATE DRAMA
AN incredible finish saw Dover pegged back in this top-of-the-table clash.
