The girlfriend of Stuart Pearce’s son Harley left a heartbreaking note on the scene of his tragic death.
Harley Pearce, son of former England footballer Stuart, died in a tractor crash in Gloucestershire last week aged just 21.
The accident occurred on Old Birdlip Hill, A417, in Witcombe at around 2.30pm on Thursday.
The Pearce family released an announcement on Monday paying tribute to ‘cherished son and devoted brother’ Harley.
‘This shocking tragedy will leave an enormous hole within the hearts of those that were fortunate enough to have known him,’ they said.
‘With a quiet, understated strength and deep kindness, we’re so happy with the young man he had develop into, exhibiting a beautiful work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit within the farming industry.
‘He’ll at all times be our shining star. Rest in peace, our beautiful son and brother. You won’t ever ever be forgotten.’
Harley ran his own farming company, Harley Pearce Agricultural Services, and was the youngest of two children that Stuart Pearce had with ex-wife Liz.
He was in a relationship with Holly Watts and he or she left a note on the scene of his death alongside floral tributes from family, friends and the general public.
‘To my Hunny, the person I’ll love endlessly,’ she wrote. ‘I’m so happy with you, and of what we’ve develop into.
‘You realize you’ve gotten my heart, and I do know I actually have yours. I’ll cherish us endlessly.
‘Eternally in your arms, endlessly in our heart. I like 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 12 months and there are often accidents and casualties,’ the 55-year-old told The Sun.
‘It’s a really steep and dangerous road that folks 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 have to be devastating for them. I actually feel for everyone involved. It’s 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 within the Eighties and Nineteen Nineties.
An England regular for over a decade, Pearce ended his profession with 78 international caps, featuring on 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’re 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’re saddened to listen to of Harley Pearce’s passing.
‘Everyone on 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 on the London 2012 Olympics when he was accountable for Great Britain.
Pearce’s last managerial role got here over a decade ago but he has since moved into punditry, working as a co-commentator for talkSPORT.
Earlier this 12 months Pearce – who was nicknamed ‘Psycho’ during his profession for his passion and unforgiving kind 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 in poor health.
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 sensible,’ Pearce said a couple of days after the ordeal.
‘On the flight I had chest pains and the crew on Virgin were sensible, they took care of me fantastically after which said, “Look, we’re not going to take the possibility travelling across the Atlantic, we’re going to drop you off”.
‘My heart rate was racing. From the time I used to be 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 method.
‘After I get home I obviously can have some medical checks and go and see my GP, but I feel terrific now.’
More to follow…
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