Alan Pearce was one of the first generation of South sons to grow in the Seconds during the early 1900s before establishing himself as a great "gentleman player" under the tutelage of Winky Price.

He graduated to A Grade in 1906 to win the A Grade best and fairest in his first year and then carved out a long career as a super footballer and dedicated club administrator.

He was an automatic regular to represent the GFA between 1909 and 1920 against sides such as Norwood, South Adelaide, the SAFA, the SA Amateur League and against the North Eastern Association.

In 1921 Pearce retired from playing and as Secretary after fourteen seasons in the first grade when he received an honorarium of five pounds five shillings.

At the 1989 Centenary, Laurie Dieckmann remembered the day that Pearce was tripped by the Centrals player Broderick. His mum then ran out on to the ground and shoved a giant hat-pin up his butt - and then it was on!