Memories of Craig Pearson
(Compiled by Terry Cormack)
Craig Pearson began playing with the Upwey- Tecoma Football Club in 1972 with the Club’s Junior team, then Under 16 but changed to Under 17 the following year. Initially Craig, a tall, lithe lad then, was selected at centre half-back but before too long he moved upfield to the centre half-forward spot, this at a time when the position was always filled by one of the team’s very best players.
A match in which Craig starred against Monbulk was witnessed by the “Sporting Globe’s” Bill Mackay and in an article published in the “Wednesday Sporting Globe” Mackay described Craig’s play thus: “He shone at Centre half-forward in a losing game against Monbulk in the Under 17’s on Saturday. The ground was water-logged and it rained throughout. Craig started with a string of marks, despite the slippery ball and continued with a brilliant display.
His pace, ball control and wrong-way turns bewildered opponents. He was one of the few players who directed the ball to position with well placed kicks. He then proved his all round ability with an impressive display of ruck-work when on the ball in the last quarter.”
This description of Craig’s play is interesting in as much as it points quite clearly to Craig’s quite outstanding ability as a key footballer. Unsurprisingly, many of his contempories tend to remember with fondness Craig’s ability to defuse an opponent’s physical moments in protecting any team mate so troubled but he was a very good player and it was his football skills that allowed him to play 212 senior games for the club. Added to that tally were 69 in the Club’s Under 17 team. Craig also played in four premierships with the Club’s Reserves team. Ample proof if any were needed of his lasting abilities.
Two of Craig’s long-time friends, Peter Clay and Terry Moore, visited him several times in Craig’s final illness and both spoke of some of the abiding memories of their pal.
Peter Clay commented: Just following up on Craig's history. My best recollection is of how uplifting it was when big Craig and Brent turned up on match day. As younger blokes we often faced up to older, tougher men with bullying intentions. However, with the Pearson boys on hand, no such problems! No thuggery was required as their mere presence would suffice.
Craig and his brothers Brent and Alan must surely have figured in at least 12 premierships between them. Craig, as a Life Member and multi-premiership player was typical of the halcyon days of the Upwey Tigers during that amazing era.
A man loved and revered by all.
Terry Moore then added to those memories with some of his own: There's an old saying “He's a lover not a fighter”. Not Pids, he was both. In saying that, he was always in love and didn't go looking for trouble. On one occasion Pids and I went to Boronia football club one night. They had a function on and when we walked in he saw a chap that he didn't like. The place was packed so I told him not to do anything. As I went to get us a drink I heard this ruckus behind me and there's this guy flat on his back and about 20 blokes wanting to have a piece of Pids . Took me a fair while to get him out of the place.
Pete and I went and saw Pids a couple of weeks before he passed away. Had a few scotches and a lot of laughs while reminiscing. We also got the chance to speak to him after they cut off his life support which wasn't easy but I'm glad I had the opportunity.
Rod & Nick Peterson recalled that Craig was the biggest of the 4 Pearson boys and played a lot of football with brothers Alan & Brent and there were a number of time in the mid 70’s when the Upwey Tecoma Reserves had the fearsome half back line of Pearson, Pearson, Pearson!
Craig was a very laid back character with a great sense of humour and always enjoyed a good time but on the football field he was not to be messed with.
In the 1978 Reserves Grand Final our team was pitted against Healesville who had stacked their team with lots of their senior players and they were well in control and roughing up all of the younger Upwey Tecoma players at every opportunity in the first half. Craig decided enough was enough and took on most of the Healesville team and squared up the ledger in the 3rd quarter and we went on to record a great “Fighting Upwey Tigers” win!
Craig (and Brent and Alan) were great Club people - always at functions and wonderful at supporting the club and the people in and around the hills. Craig returned to the club for a function in 2019.
They were both also very generous blokes - on the field bringing you into the game - Craig was fantastic to play alongside - always willing to handball to someone in a better position. And off the field they both welcomed you into a 'shout' - both larger than life individuals but always part of the team.
Off the field, Craig was a hard worker and he and Brent purchased a “milk round “ business delivering milk to private households and businesses seven nights a week. Many a time after a game or a Club function the Pearson boys would head off the worse for wear to do the milk rounds and who knows how many deliveries were wrong or not done at all….but who would complain to Craig & Brent ?
Another of Craig’s old mates Peter Johnston offered some final thoughts:I think you all have captured the very essence of the man. The only thing I would mention is whilst loving his older brother Brent, there was a fierce desire on Craig’s part to be everything and more that he saw in Brent. I spent many a Saturday night in between the two head strong and at times stubborn young men, who were not willing to give an inch in any shape or form!
For your interlocutor’s part, I was probably an acquaintance rather than a close friend, given the differences in our respective age groups but on the not altogether infrequent occasions that our paths would cross Craig would always produce that amazing smile of his that would light up his whole face and you immediately felt that he was very pleased to be in your company.
It would be a strange person indeed who could say that they did not like the guy, I certainly never met any.
In brief summary one could well say that Craig Pearson was a helluva nice guy.
Last Modified on 24/09/2020 19:14