England football legend Stuart Pearce was 'utterly heartbroken' after his 'golden boy' was killed in a tractor crash. Pearce, 62, who played 78 times for the Three Lions which he captained and briefly managed, was devastated after his son Harley lost control of the farm vehicle on a country road.

Investigators believe the tractor - which was carrying a trailer-load of apples down a hill - suffered a possible tyre blow-out which caused it to veer off the road into a wooded bank 50 miles from his family home in Wiltshire.

Harley, 21, died at the scene in Witcombe following the crash last Thursday, Gloucestershire Police said.

Officers said his parents had been informed and were being supported by specialist officers.

In a joint statement the Pearce family said they were 'truly shocked and utterly heartbroken at the loss of our cherished son and devoted brother' who was 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," they said.

"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."

A tribute left at the crash scene by Harley's 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.

"Forever in your arms, forever in our heart. I love you! Love, Your Holly xxx."

Hundreds of apples lay scattered on the ground around floral tributes left beneath overhanging trees.

Janine Taylor, 55, who lives nearby, said: "There was a fatality earlier this year and there are regularly accidents and casualties.

"It is a very steep and dangerous road. 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 was the youngest of two children Stuart had with his ex-wife Liz.

They also have an older daughter Chelsea - an equestrian rider who has competed at three European Championships for Great Britain - from their 20-year marriage that ended in 2013.

Former electrician Stuart played for Manchester City, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Coventry in a 24-year career.

He won two League Cups with Nottingham Forest, the old First Division title with Manchester City and the 1997 Tournoi de France with England which he represented at the 1990 World Cup breaking down in tears after missing a penalty in the semi-final shootout against West Germany.

He got redemption when he scored in the Euro 96 quarter-final shootout victory against Spain and the semi-final spotkick defeat by Germany.

After hanging up his boots he coached Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, the Great Britain team at the 2012 Olympics and was England's caretaker boss for one match that year.

He was awarded an MBE by the late Queen for his playing career and charity work and recently worked as a pundit and co-commentator for talkSPORT.

Pearce was due to commentate at Nottingham Forest's City Ground when they played Chelsea on Saturday but withdrew in the wake of the tragedy.

His son, who lived in Marlborough, Wilts, and as a youngster was pictured at Wembley with Stuart, ran his own company - Harley Pearce Agricultural Service - working on local farms

Emergency services were called at 2.30pm to a report of a collision involving a tractor on the A417.

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash or who has relevant dashcam footage to get in touch.

A source said: "From what we've been told Harley's tractor had a blow out and he lost control."

A spokesman for Nottingham Forest said: "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."

A West Ham spokesman said: "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."

Stuart was himself involved in a serious car crash in 1998 when the motor he was driving flipped over and was crushed by a lorry.

He escaped with minor hand injuries and a sore back.

Speaking to talkSPORT in 2020 Stuart revealed how he helped Harley win his school's Fantasy Football league when his son was eight.

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.

The subsequent clean sheet points United earned during the game saw him win the league.

In March Stuart experienced chest pains at 30,000ft on board a Las Vegas to Heathrow flight on the way home from watching the Super League match between Wigan and Warrington.

The aircraft was diverted to St John's in Canada and he spent five days in hospital recovering.

Pearce - nicknamed 'Psycho' due to his aggressive playing style - said later: "My heart was racing a little bit. The hospital staff there basically stopped my heart and restarted it again to put it back into a normal rhythm."

Stuart Pearce's tragic son's girlfriend pays tribute to 'man she'll love forever' - Daily Star