Ron Pearson, believed to be the Birmingham & District League’s oldest surviving former player, celebrated his 100th birthday on 31st December, 2012. He played for Smethwick between 1931 and the late 1950’s, including the 1935 season, when he took the field alongside the legendary former England star Sidney Barnes, who was the Club’s professional that year. Pearson, also, played for Warwickshire 2nd XI and Minor Counties Cricket for Staffordshire. Still living in Harborne, where he was born, he, regularly, played golf at the local Club until very recently and remains in contact with former Management Board member Barry Stokes, who alerted the League to this remarkable milestone.