The girlfriend of former England footballer Stuart Pearce’s son has paid tribute to ‘the man I’ll love forever’ after he was killed in a tractor crash aged 21.
Harley Pearce lost control of the farm vehicle on a country road some 50 miles from his family home in Wiltshire. The tractor he was driving suffered a possible tyre blow-out which caused him to veer off the road.
Harley, 21, died at the scene in Witcombe, last Thursday, Gloucestershire Police confirmed. The force said his parents have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
A tribute left at the scene by his girlfriend Holly Watts read: ‘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.’
And a Pearce family tribute said: ‘Our family is truly shocked and utterly heartbroken at the loss of our cherished son and devoted brother, Harley. 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.
‘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 Pearce, the son of football legend Stuart Pearce, pictured with his girlfriend Holly Watts
A tribute to Harley Pearce left by his girlfriend Holly Watts, at the scene of the crash
A photo of Harley Pearce with his girlfriend Holly Watts, at the scene of the crash
Stuart Pearce with his son Harley at a match at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium in 2012
Harley was the youngest of two children Stuart had with his ex-wife, Liz.
The former couple also have an older daughter, Chelsea, from their 20-year marriage that ended in 2013.
Chelsea is an equestrian rider who has competed at three European Championships for Great Britain.
In 1999 Stuart was awarded an MBE by the late Queen for his playing career and charity work and in more recent years had worked as a pundit and co-commentator for talkSPORT.
Emergency services were called at around 2.30pm on Thursday to a report of a collision involving a tractor on the A417 Old Birdlip Hill in Witcombe.
Harley Pearce lost control of the tractor on a country road near his family home in Wiltshire
The road where the crash happened in Witcombe Hill, Gloucestershire, was closed today
Harley Pearce, pictured as a teenager with his older sister Chelsea
Harley, pictured as a boy playing football in an England kit, died at the scene last Thursday
A tractor owned by Harley. It is not known whether this was the vehicle involved in the crash
The A417 Old Birdlip Hill in Witcombe where the crash happened last Thursday
Investigating officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash or who has any relevant dashcam footage to get in touch.
A source told the Daily Mail: ‘From what we’ve been told Harley’s tractor had a blow-out and he lost control.’
Harley ran his own company, Harley Pearce Agricultural Service, working on farms on the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire border. He lived near Marlborough in Wiltshire.
His father was himself involved in a serious car crash in 1998 when the car he was driving was crushed by a lorry overturning and landing on the roof of the vehicle.
He escaped with only minor hand injuries and a stiff back.
Speaking to talkSPORT in 2020, Stuart revealed a touching anecdote about how he helped Harley win his school’s Fantasy Football league when his son was eight years old.
Former England footballer Stuart Pearce and his wife Carol on ITV’s This Morning in March
Stuart Pearce had two children with his former wife Liz (pictured on their wedding day)
Flowers left at the scene of the crash on the A417 Old Birdlip Hill in Witcombe, Gloucestershire
A sympathy note left with a tribute at the crash site in Witcombe, Gloucestershire
Flowers left at the scene of the crash on the A417 Old Birdlip Hill in Witcombe
Pretending he wanted information for the England U21 team, Stuart rang then Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to ask whether he was planning to play Phil Jones or Chris Smalling in the last game of the season.
Sir Alex gave him the answer and Stuart told his son who added that player – though he admitted he could not remember which one – for his Fantasy Football side and the subsequent clean sheet points United earned during the game saw him win the league.
In March, former England and Nottingham Forest defender Stuart had a health scare on a flight.
He experienced chest pains on board a flight from the United States, where he had been watching the Super League match between Wigan and Warrington.
The Las Vegas to Heathrow flight was diverted to St John’s in Canada and he spent five days in hospital recovering.
Stuart has been approached for comment.
