The girlfriend of Stuart Pearce’s son Harley left a heartbreaking note at the scene of his tragic death after he passed away at the age of 21.
Harley Pearce, son of former England footballer Stuart, died in a tractor crash in Gloucestershire last week.
The accident occurred on Old Birdlip Hill, A417, in Witcombe at around 2.30pm on Thursday.
The Pearce family released a statement on Monday paying tribute to ‘cherished son and devoted brother’ Harley.
‘This shocking tragedy will leave a huge hole in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to have known him,’ they said.
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‘With a quiet, understated strength and deep kindness, we are so proud of the young man he had become, exhibiting a wonderful work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit in the farming industry.
‘He will always be our shining star. Rest in peace, our beautiful son and brother. You will never ever be forgotten.’
Harley, the youngest of two children Stuart Pearce had with ex-wife Liz, ran his own farming company, Harley Pearce Agricultural Services.
He was in a relationship with Holly Watts and she left a note at the scene alongside floral tributes from family, friends and the public.
‘To my Hunny, the man I’ll love forever,’ she wrote. ‘I’m so proud of you, and of what we’ve become.
‘You know you have my heart, and I know I have yours. I’ll cherish us forever.
‘Forever in your arms, forever in our heart. I love you! Love, Your Holly xxx.’
Local Janine Taylor said her ‘heart goes out’ to the Pearce family and bemoaned the ‘very steep and dangerous road’ where the accident happened.
‘There was a fatality earlier this year and there are regularly accidents and casualties,’ the 55-year-old told The Sun.
‘It is a very steep and dangerous road that people have been using as a rat run until the nearby A417, which is being improved, is reopened.
‘My heart goes out to the family of this young man. It must be devastating for them. I really feel for everybody involved. It is just awful.’
Harley’s father Stuart Pearce was a successful and popular footballer who played for the likes of Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Manchester City and Newcastle United in the 1980s and 1990s.
An England regular for over a decade, Pearce ended his career with 78 international caps, featuring at the 1990 World Cup and Euro 96.
Several of Stuart Pearce’s former clubs posted tributes to Harley on social media, with Nottingham Forest writing: ‘We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Harley Pearce.
‘The thoughts of everyone connected with Nottingham Forest are with Stuart and his family at this truly difficult time.’
West Ham United added: ‘We are saddened to hear of Harley Pearce’s passing. Everyone at the club sends their deepest condolences to Stuart and his family at this tragic time.’
After hanging up his boots in 2002, Pearce had several managerial stints, most notably at Man City and at the London 2012 Olympics when he was in charge of Great Britain.
Pearce’s last managerial role came over a decade ago but he has since moved into punditry, working as a co-commentator for talkSPORT.
Earlier this year Pearce – who was nicknamed ‘Psycho’ during his career for his passion and unforgiving style of play – suffered a serious health scare during a plane flight.
The 62-year-old was travelling back to the UK from Las Vegas when he fell ill. The flight was diverted to St. Johns, Canada, where it made an emergency landing and Pearce was treated in hospital.
‘I’m in good form, absolutely brilliant,’ Pearce said a few days after the ordeal.
‘On the flight I had chest pains and the crew on Virgin were brilliant, they took care of me fantastically and then said, “Look, we’re not going to take the chance travelling across the Atlantic, we’re going to drop you off”.
‘My heart rate was racing. From the time I was monitored on the aeroplane and for the few days in hospital, my resting heart rate was anything above 155 beats per minute.
‘I had a virus that attached itself to my heart that just needed clearing, rebooting and going through the process.
‘When I get home I obviously will have some medical checks and go and see my GP, but I feel terrific now.’
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