Raffy Pearce marked his 22nd birthday this week as one of the youngest football managers in the country, taking charge of Jarvis Brook, a Step 6 side competing in the Southern Combination League Division One. Pearce, son of former Premier League winner Ian Pearce, assumed the managerial role at the East Sussex club toward the end of last season and has since led his team to an unbeaten streak of 11 matches across all competitions.

Before moving into management, Pearce was a goalkeeper in the Dorking Wanderers academy, where he trained full-time until a shoulder dislocation forced him to step away from playing in the summer of 2025. His experience at Dorking Wanderers also introduced him to coaching, which fueled his transition into management. Pearce took over the reins at Jarvis Brook in late 2025, and under his guidance, the team is now positioned within the play-off mix of their league.

Speaking about his early start in management, Pearce explained that his passion for the game and early exposure growing up influenced his path. “I was always on Football Manager and you start to envisage yourself managing a team,” he said. The injury last season gave him the opportunity to focus on coaching, which quickly became a consuming focus. Pearce expressed a clear intention to pursue management as a full-time career, citing a lifelong connection to football.

Pearce's father, Ian Pearce, is currently head of recruitment at Championship club West Brom and has a distinguished playing career, including a Premier League title with Blackburn Rovers and over 160 appearances for West Ham United. Raffy credits his father’s experience and guidance, as well as insight from his brother, a former player and scout, for helping shape his coaching philosophy.

Despite the media attention surrounding his age, Pearce noted that within the club his youth has not been an issue. “When the players heard I was 21, they were all shocked,” he said, reflecting on the modest reaction from his team. He also acknowledged Jarvis Brook’s willingness to take a chance on a young manager — an opportunity he believes would be rare elsewhere.

Jarvis Brook currently prepares to face Faversham Strike Force in the FA Vase first round proper, aiming to extend their positive run. Pearce remains focused on his role at the club and is intent on building a successful managerial career from his early start in non-league football.