CHRIS Pearce was a member of the last Burnley team to beat Blackburn Rovers and he remembers it well – it cost him a trip to the garage.

The 1-0 victory in the Lancashire Manx Cup back in 1987 coincided with the popular keeper receiving his new sponsored claret and blue car. The problem was he lived in Blackburn.

“I was driving home through Ewood after the game when I saw someone I knew,” said Pearce who began his career at Rovers. “I hoped he hadn’t seen me but when I stopped at the lights, he came up and booted the car and left a big dent. And he told me exactly why he did it!

“He offered to buy me a pint but I told him that would not pay for the damage and I ended up having to take it to the garage.”

Pearce, who played 236 times for Burnley between 1987 and 1992, is now hoping the Clarets can put a dent in Rovers’ promotion hopes – and he’s prepared to take more flak.

“I still live in Blackburn and all my neighbours are Rovers fans so they have been giving me plenty of stick,” added Pearce who didn’t make a first team appearance in his three seasons at Ewood Park.

“But I’ll be at the game and I’ll be cheering the Clarets on.”

Pearce, who was a cult hero at Turf Moor, is still a firm favourite with the fans – underlined by his most recent visit.

He made the half time draw during the 1-0 defeat to Charlton when he noticed a junior game taking place was missing a keeper.

“I was in my suit but decided to go in goal,” he said. “The crowd loved it and sang my name so I did my little dance.

“It was the first time I had played on Turf Moor since I left so I suppose it was my chance to say farewell.”