Guard of honour for footballer Cody Fisher as tributes paid by Stratford Town
A moment of applause was held in the 23rd minute of the match.
Last updated 8th Jan 2023
Schoolchildren formed a guard of honour as part of a tribute to footballer Cody Fisher who was stabbed to death at a nightclub in Birmingham on Boxing Day.
The 23-year-old died after being attacked on the dancefloor of the Crane nightclub in Digbeth.
Mr Fisher played as a defender for Stratford Town FC and the team's match against Kings Langley yesterday (January 7) was the first it has played since the incident.
A group of schoolchildren from St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, where he coached, carried his number 23 jersey, which has been retired, onto the pitch.
A minute silence was observed ahead of kick-off and play was then paused in the 23rd minute for a moment's applause.
Cody's parents Chris and Tracey Fisher, and his uncle Danny Norman, were among family members and friends attending the match.
Tracey spoke of her grief at losing her son: "He was just an amazing, amazing child and lad, as he grew. It's just beyond words and beyond cruel.
"I waved him off on Boxing Day as I always did, as he laughed and said 'Mom, you'll be doing this until I'm whatever age' and I said 'yes forever'".
Stratford Town FC has officially launched a community fund, named Cody 23, in honour of Mr Fisher. It will help support young people to gain qualifications in football coaching and refereeing.
"I'm so grateful to Jed and the club. I'm just so proud. So, so proud that he was such an inspiration to so many people," Tracey added.
Two men, Kami Carpenter, 21, and Remy Gordon, 22, have been charged with Mr Fisher's murder. They will stand trial in July.
The Crane nightclub has has its licence suspended for 28 days.