Brian Dear was born in Plaistow in 1943 and started his career with West Ham United, joining the club at the age of 15, and represented England Schools. He made his Hammers debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 29 August 1962, and went on to make 69 league appearances for the club, scoring 33 goals. He was a member of the 1964-65 European Cup Winners’s Cup winning side.
He holds the record for the quickest ever five goals in an English game, 20 minutes either side of half time, in a home tie against West Brom on 16 April 1965.
Out on loan to Brighton & Hove Albion in 1967 Brian managed to score five goals in seven games. He moved to Fulham for £20,000 in 1969 and then Millwall. After a short spell Brian moved back to West Ham in October 1970.
His second spell at Upton Park was short-lived and Brian featured in only four games during the 1970-71 season. He played his last game for the club on 19 December 1970.