Schoolchildren have paid tribute to a man who was stabbed to death on a nightclub dancefloor on Boxing Day, by forming a guard of honour.
Cody Fisher, a 23-year-old footballer, was fatally stabbed at the Crane nightclub in Digbeth, Birmingham, just before midnight on 26 December.
Fisher played as a defender for Stratford Town FC, and the team’s match against Kings Langley at 3pm on Saturday was the first it has played since the incident.
A group of schoolchildren from St Gregory’s Catholic primary school brought his jersey on to the pitch in a tribute to the footballer. A minute’s applause was also held at the start of the game.
A minutes applause was held before kick off for the passing of Cody Fisher, a former Walsall Scholar, who died on Boxing Day. pic.twitter.com/jgxoIQ8mv8
— Walsall FC Academy (@WFC_Academy) January 7, 2023
In a tweet, the school said a priest had blessed the shirt before the match.
“During mass this morning, to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, Fr Alex blessed the No 23 shirt, which is being retired by @StratfordTownFC in memory of Cody Fisher,” the tweet said.
During Mass this morning, to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, Fr. Alex blessed the number 23 shirt, which is being retired by @StratfordTownFC in memory of Cody Fisher.
— St. Gregory's Catholic Primary School (@StGregsStrat) January 6, 2023
The children are attending tomorrow's game, to bring this shirt onto the pitch, with Cody's team-mates.⚽️ pic.twitter.com/gwI8YPtvzu
“The children are attending tomorrow’s game to bring this shirt on to the pitch, with Cody’s teammates.”
Stratford Town FC has also launched a young adult’s community fund, named Cody 23, in honour of Fisher and named after his numbered jersey.
Two men have been charged with the footballer’s murder.
Kami Carpenter, 21, and Remy Gordon, 22, appeared at Birmingham crown court on Wednesday, where Judge Farrer KC ordered a trial to start on 3 July. They pleaded not guilty to affray during a previous magistrates court hearing.
After the incident, Crane nightclub has had its licence temporary suspended pending a review.
