Ken Pears was a four-time national champion with Westminster Royals FC, Vancouver Hale-Co FC, Vancouver Columbus FC, and Vancouver Firefighters FC.
10 Facts About Ken Pears
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Ken Pears was Canada's starting goalkeeper during FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in 1957.
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Ken Pears is an honoured member of the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class in 2000.
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Ken Pears was still just 19 years old when he won his first national title with Westminster Royals in 1953.
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Across eight inter-provincial matches against Edmonton, Winnipeg and Montreal, Ken Pears posted five clean sheets and conceded just three goals, two of which were scored from the penalty spot.
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Ken Pears played in the 1964 edition of the Pacific Coast International Championship with the Pacific Coast League all-stars, earning MVP honours as the team finished second.
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Ken Pears missed the 1966 edition through injury when Firefighters won their second Kennedy Cup; he won the 1967 edition as a backup goalkeeper with Victoria O'Keefe.
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In 1969, Ken Pears helped Vancouver Spartans win the Western Canada Soccer League championship.
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Ken Pears was inducted into the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.
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Ken Pears died on 18 December 2022, at the age of 88.