Jarvis Brook FC compete in the Southern Combination Football League at Step 6 of the non-league pyramid. They are currently unbeaten in their last 10 games, with six victories, and sit fourth in the table. The club is based in Crowborough, East Sussex, and is managed by the son of a former Premier League winner — aged just 21.
Raffy Pearce took the reins at Jarvis Brook permanently following a spell as caretaker manager during the final six matches of last season. The young gaffer is the son of Ian Pearce, who won the Premier League title with Blackburn Rovers in the 1994/95 season. At an age when most players are looking to break into first-team football, Raffy is in charge of an entire squad and leading a charge up the league.
“It’s quite unique. I remember my first game: I went to shake the opposition manager’s hand, and he said, ‘Is your manager not here?’” The opposition manager and his side would not forget Raffy or his team in a hurry, as Jarvis Brook inflicted a 4-0 defeat.
Exposure to men’s football has given Raffy his ‘buzz’ back for the game, with the 21-year-old describing his love for the video game Football Manager as a key factor in his journey towards the dugout. Having been part of the backroom staff during the 2025/26 season, Raffy instantly knew that Jarvis Brook was the club for him.
“It probably accelerates your football knowledge and IQ by a few years, just being exposed to conversations and watching games with them,” Pearce said, referring to those around him at the club. The players have heaped praise on Raffy’s modern approach, following a more ‘old-school’ style of play under the previous managerial duo of Jake Baldwin and Dominic Fitzmaurice.
His father, Ian, enjoyed a career in the top flight, playing for West Ham United following his success at Blackburn Rovers. He encouraged his son to ‘go for it’ when the opportunity arose. Father and son continue to share advice on how to achieve success in the game — and so far, it seems to be working. Ian Pearce is currently the sporting director at West Bromwich Albion.
Raffy Pearce and his side will look to extend their unbeaten league run to 11 games when they face Clanfield on Saturday afternoon. The Jarvis Brook gaffer will no doubt be studying the opposition throughout the week, having offered a glimpse into his preparations:
“If I’m able to, I’ll watch our opposition’s games or listen to interviews, mostly on social media, to pick stuff up.”