With almost 750 club appearances and just shy of 80 caps for England, Stuart Pearce is a footballing legend.

And now 'Psycho' will kick off a new era for a Norfolk pub.

The famed England international and former Nottingham Forest and Manchester City manager will be joining the team at The Gemini, in Dereham on October 7 to officially reopen its doors following a major renovation.

 

Dereham Times: Beverley Rae, The Gemini's general manager, with husband DannyBeverley Rae, The Gemini's general manager, with husband Danny (Image: Beverley Rae)

Beverley Rae, the pub's general manager, said: “We wanted to try and get a talking point, so we wanted to get a celebrity to open it.

"Through contacts with my business development manager, David Knott, who has worked for Greene King for years we have managed to get Stuart Pearce to come and cut the ribbon.

“He will be there in the evening to talk to people, sign autographs and mingle.

“We are really excited, and we hope that he will bring people along to The Gemini who haven’t been here before, and they see the investment and it generates some interest for us.

Dereham Times: The Gemini in Dereham is currently closed as it undergoes a major refurbishment The Gemini in Dereham is currently closed as it undergoes a major refurbishment (Image: Beverley Rae)

“The pub is taking shape with furniture in, and the garden is almost complete, it is a very exciting time for us at The Gemini.” 

The pub closed its doors on September 10 to undergo the works, which include an interior refit alongside plans to make over the garden.

The exterior of the business on Sandy Lane will also be addressed, in a project that is costing its owners, Greene King, 'a six-figure' sum.

Dereham Times: Stuart Pearce during Euro 96Stuart Pearce during Euro 96 (Image: PA Archive/Press Association Images)

Pearce is often associated with Nottingham Forest, a club he made over 400 appearances for. He started his career with non-league side, Wealdstone. In 1983, Wealdstone received an offer of £30,000 for Pearce from Coventry City.

Two years later he would sign for Forest, but because he was so unsure of his footballing future, he advertised his services as an electrician in Forest's match-day programme - before going on to become club captain and spent 12 years there.

He famously missed a penalty in the World Cup and then celebrated redemption in a penalty shootout in Euro 96

Everyone is welcome at 5pm for when the grand reopening will take place.

Dereham Times: The Gemini in Dereham is currently closed as it undergoes a major refurbishment The Gemini in Dereham is currently closed as it undergoes a major refurbishment (Image: Beverley Rae)