The football and farming communities across England are mourning the sudden and tragic loss of Harley Pearce, the 21-year-old son of former England football legend Stuart Pearce, who died in a tractor accident on October 16, 2025. The accident occurred at around 2:30 p.m. on the notoriously steep A417 Old Birdlip Hill near Witcombe, Gloucestershire—a stretch of road locals describe as dangerous and accident-prone. Emergency services responded quickly, but Harley, the driver of the tractor, was pronounced dead at the scene despite their efforts, according to Gloucestershire Police.
Harley Pearce was not only known as the youngest child of Stuart Pearce and his ex-wife Liz, but also as a young man forging his own path in the world. He ran Harley Pearce Agricultural Services, a business he’d built from the ground up, working on farms across Wiltshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, and the surrounding areas. Friends and colleagues in the farming industry recall his drive, warmth, and entrepreneurial spirit—qualities that earned him respect well beyond his famous surname.
The Pearce family, reeling from the shock, released a heartfelt statement on October 20, 2025, paying tribute to Harley’s character and the impact he had on those around him. “Our family is truly shocked and utterly heartbroken at the loss of our cherished son and devoted brother, Harley,” they wrote, as reported by BBC and Metro. “A soul who left an unforgettable imprint on all who knew him. He was a golden boy with an infectious smile, and this shocking tragedy will leave a huge hole in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to have known him.” The family continued, “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’s girlfriend, Holly Watts, left a poignant note at the crash site, surrounded by floral tributes from family, friends, and members of the public. Her words, quoted by Metro, encapsulate the depth of their bond: “To my Hunny, the man I’ll love forever. 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.”
The location of the accident has drawn concern from the community. Janine Taylor, a local resident, 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. There was a fatality earlier this year and there are regularly accidents and casualties.” Police believe the tractor involved may have suffered a tyre blowout, causing it to veer off the road, though the investigation is still ongoing. Authorities are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage from the area to come forward, referencing incident 284 of October 16, 2025, as reported by ITV and BBC.
Tributes have poured in from the football world, reflecting the deep respect held for Stuart Pearce and the sadness felt by many. Nottingham Forest, for whom Stuart played more than 400 games, posted: “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.” Similar messages came from West Ham United and Manchester City, both former clubs of Stuart Pearce, as well as from Benfica manager Jose Mourinho, who said during a news conference, “I want to express my condolences to Stuart Pearce and his family. He is a great guy so through you I want to share my condolences.”
Harley’s death has resonated especially deeply because of his youth and the promise he showed. Friends and supporters in both the football and farming communities have described him as a “kind and driven young man” who brought “warmth and humour to everyone he met,” according to The Independent. The Pearce family has asked for privacy as they grieve and come to terms with their loss.
Stuart Pearce, now 62, is a national sporting icon known for his fierce determination and passion on the pitch. He won 78 England caps, played key roles at the 1990 World Cup and Euro 96, and managed teams including Manchester City and the Great Britain squad at the London 2012 Olympics. After retiring from management, he became a respected pundit for talkSPORT. In a twist of fate, Stuart himself survived a serious health scare earlier in 2025, when he suffered chest pains on a flight from Las Vegas. The plane made an emergency landing in Canada, where he was treated in hospital. As he later told BBC, “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.”
The Pearce family’s story has long been one of resilience and unity. Stuart and his ex-wife Liz, who married in 1993 and separated in 2013, raised two children: Chelsea, now 27, an accomplished equestrian, and Harley, whose passion for farming defined his short but impactful life. As Stuart once joked to the press about balancing his hard-man football persona with fatherhood, “It’s difficult to tell a seven-year-old that this is the Premier League and that I’m known as Psycho, the hard man. But I put all that to one side to be a family man.”
The investigation into the crash that claimed Harley’s life continues, with Gloucestershire Police urging anyone with information to come forward. The loss has left a void not only in the Pearce family but also among the countless people whose lives Harley touched—on the farm, in his community, and beyond. The tributes, the outpouring of support, and the memories shared all serve as reminders of a young man who, in just 21 years, left a legacy of kindness, ambition, and love.
As the Pearce family and their supporters gather to remember Harley, their words echo in the hearts of many: he will always be their shining star, and he will never be forgotten.
