Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Wembley...Ten Years On...Part Twelve...Dean Peer


One of two Cobblers substitutions late on at Wembley was workhorse midfielder Dean Peer. As we move on in the big day celebrations, Peer becomes the focus of discussion this week!

Dean Peer didn’t look like a footballer in any shape or form. Ambling around the midfield, he just didn’t look at home on the pitch. But despite that, he did become something of a cult figure at Sixfields and played his own part in the Wembley success, even narrowly missing the chance to equalise against Grimsby Town a year later under the twin towers!

Peer was another one of the Birmingham influx at Sixfields during Ian Atkins’ reign at the club. Starting his career at St Andrews in 987, Peer went on to make over 100 appearances for Birmingham City, scoring twelve times.

Peer then moved to city rivals Walsall in 1993 and spent two seasons at the Bescott Stadium before joining the Cobblers on a free transfer in August 1995. An ever present in the Cobblers squad, he helped us in the transition season of 1995/96 to a top half finish before the two seasons that culminated in Wembley appearances. Peer came on as a 79th minute substitute in 1997 and was probably brought on to add some energy as extra time loomed!

Gladly though, we didn’t need an extra half hour and the job was done in breathtaking fashion by John Frain’s left foot!

A year later, Peer returned to Wembley with the Cobblers and missed a glaring opportunity late on. With Grimsby Town 1-0 up and the game coming to an end, Peer blazed over from just a few yards out. He stayed at the club until 2000 when he joined Shrewsbury Town on a free transfer and ended his career at non-league Moor Green.
The last sighting of Peer was at Andy Woodman’s benefit game against West Ham a couple of weeks ago.

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