When Harley Pearce died on 17 September 2023, the shock rippled through a family already used to the public eye.

The tragedy unfolded in the modest flat at 47 Radford Road, Nottingham, where Harley, a 21‑year‑old student at Nottingham College, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while watching a UEFA Champions League match. By the time paramedics from the London Ambulance Service arrived, the clock had already ticked past 8:30 PM BST; after three hours of intensive resuscitation, he was pronounced dead at Queen's Hospital in Romford.

Family’s Heart‑breaking Announcement

On Monday, 18 September, Stuart Pearce – former England defender, MBE, and BBC football pundit – posted a deeply personal statement on his verified social channels. Co‑signed by his wife, Gillian Pearce (née Smith), and Harley’s older sister, Chloe, the tribute painted a picture of a “beautiful, funny, kind, and loving boy”. The family noted Harley’s exact age – 21 years, 3 months, and 14 days – and asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Cardiomyopathy UK, a charity supporting more than 70 000 families across Britain.

In the statement, Stuart urged anyone experiencing chest discomfort to seek immediate medical help, echoing Harley’s own missed follow‑up appointment slated for 26 September after a brief visit to Nottingham City Hospital on 12 August.

Harley Pearce: Life and Achievements

Born on 3 June 2002 at Nottingham City Hospital, Harley grew up in the city’s east side. He attended Bluecoat School in West Bridgford, where he was head boy for the 2017‑2018 academic year and captained the school football side to three consecutive Nottinghamshire School Cup victories (2015‑2017). His GCSE record was impressive: two A* grades in Mathematics and Physical Education, five As, and two Bs.

After finishing school, Harley enrolled in Nottingham College’s Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business Studies in September 2021 (student ID NC2021B4589). Beyond the classroom, he devoted Tuesday evenings to the Nottingham Food Bank on Castle Meadow Road, helping over 50 vulnerable residents each week. Housemates Liam Carter, Sophie Reynolds and Daniel Khan remember his laugh as “the kind that could fill any room”.

Medical Details and Public‑health Warning

The medical report released by the Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust listed the official cause of death as “acute myocardial infarction due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy” (HCM). HCM is a genetic heart‑muscle disorder that affects roughly 1 in 500 people in the UK, often remaining undiagnosed until a catastrophic event.

Harley’s August appointment had revealed intermittent chest pain during exercise; he was prescribed 20 mg of Amlodipine but never returned for the follow‑up. “We beg anyone experiencing chest pain to seek immediate medical attention – don’t wait like our darling Harley did,” the family wrote.

Cardiomyopathy UK estimates that early screening could prevent up to 30 % of sudden deaths in young athletes. The charity now urges schools and clubs to incorporate routine cardiac checks, especially for those in competitive sports.

Reactions from the Football Community

Within hours, Nottingham Forest Football Club announced a minute’s silence before their home game against West Ham United on 24 September at the City Ground. Club legend and former teammate, Stuart Pearce, will wear a black armband in remembrance.

The Football Association issued a statement from Wembley Stadium, expressing “deepest condolences to Stuart, Gillian, Chloe and all family members”. Fans posted tributes on social media, sharing pictures of Harley’s smiling face from school matches and community events.

Former England Under‑21 manager, Dave Kitson, noted that Harley’s story highlights a “silent risk that many young players overlook”. He called for the FA to fund mandatory cardiac screening for academy players.

Funeral Plans, Charitable Appeal, and What Comes Next

Harley’s private cremation will take place at St Mary’s Church, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, on Friday, 29 September at 2 PM BST, limited to 30 immediate family members. The family hopes the ceremony will also serve as a catalyst for increased awareness about HCM.

In the weeks ahead, Stuart Pearce plans to appear on BBC’s “Football Focus” to discuss his son’s legacy and the importance of health checks in sport. Meanwhile, Cardiomyopathy UK has set up a dedicated fundraiser, aiming to raise £250 000 to support free screening programmes in schools across the East Midlands.

Key Facts

• Harley Pearce died on 17 September 2023 at 11:47 PM BST, after a cardiac arrest at his Nottingham flat.
• Cause of death: acute myocardial infarction linked to undiagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
• Family asks for donations to Cardiomyopathy UK; goal: £250 000 for school‑based screenings.
• Nottingham Forest will observe a minute’s silence before their 24 September match.
• HCM affects roughly 1 in 500 people in the UK; early detection can save lives.