Stuart Pearce returns to work for first time since tragic death of 21-year-old son

Stuart Pearce has returned to the commentary box for the first time since the tragic death of his 21-year-old son Harley.

Harley died in a tractor crash in Gloucestershire on October 16 and the news was made public on Monday as the Pearce family released a heartbreaking statement.

‘Our family is truly shocked and utterly heartbroken at the loss of our cherished son and devoted brother,’ they said.

‘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 ran his own farming company, Harley Pearce Agricultural Services, in the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire area.

His father Stuart Pearce was one of most popular footballers during the 1980s and 1990s, making over 400 appearances for Nottingham Forest.

The 63-year-old also played for Coventry City, Newcastle United, West Ham and Manchester City, while he won 78 international caps for England.

Since retiring Pearce has worked in football management and in the media as a co-commentator and pundit for talkSPORT.

Pearce was back in the commentary box for Brentford’s stunning win over Premier League champions Liverpool at the GTech Community Stadium on Saturday night.

He opted not to address the heartbreaking tragedy as he focused on the Premier League fixture alongside talkSPORT host Reshmin Chowdhury and commentator Jim Proudfoot.

Chowdhury posted a picture of the trio in the Brentford press area and said: ‘We love Stuart Pearce’ with a heart emoji.

Harley was one of two children father Stuart had with his ex-wife Liz.

Tributes and support poured in for the Pearce family, with several of his former clubs posting message of support on social media.

Nottingham Forest displayed a picture of Harley on the big screen at the City Ground during a minute’s applause ahead of their Europa League clash against Porto on Thursday night.

Late on in the game, the stadium erupted into a chant of ‘We love you Psycho, we do’ in reference to Pearce’s nickname as a player.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola also sent a message of support to Pearce, saying: ‘I know there are no words for this huge tragedy but our deepest love to him and his family.’

talkSPORT described Pearce as a ‘cherished part of our family’ and chief football host Adrian Durham sent ‘love and hugs to Stu’ before West Ham’s defeat to Brentford on Monday.

‘Sometimes, things happen in life and there are no words that can help the situation, no words to ease someone’s pain,’ an emotional Durham said.

‘But we are sending love to Stuart Pearce and his loved ones after news of the passing of his son, Harley.

‘It makes no sense. Sometimes life makes no sense, and I can’t even imagine to begin to imagine Stuart’s pain right now.

‘I am sure, you, the talkSPORT listeners join us in sending love and hugs to Stu – we are all with you, fella.’

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