Stourbridge stab victim Ryan Passey laid to rest
Hundreds gathered to remember the life of Ryan Passey, who was stabbed to death in Stourbridge last month.
The bells rang out solemnly at St James Church in Wollaston this morning for the 24-year-old's funeral.
Mourners with white roses carried Ryan's coffin into the church, as football shirts from various teams Ryan had played for lined the entrance.
One tribute, left on a white England football shirt, read: "Will always be thinking of you. Until we meet again lad, love Tommo."
Tributes were read out from friends and family throughout the service that lasted just over an hour.
Montages of pictures from Ryan's life were played on a big screen inside, to the backdrop of songs selected by his best friend Jordan Poole and his father Mark Poole alongside Ryan's mother and father Gill and Ade.
The acoustic version of Charlie Puth's See You Again was played to pictures of Ryan and Jordan's nights out and times abroad. Sam Smith's Lay Me Down was played to family pictures of Ryan growing up.
A programme of service given out held a message from Ryan, saying: 'When you think of me, try not to cry because my life has been cut short. Smile because you gave me life, and much more than that, you gave me a life I loved'.
Candles could also be lit in celebration of his life at the end of the service, with the chance to write a memory card.
Family then left the church to head to Stourbridge Crematorium, while others were welcome to head to the Raven Pub in Brierley Hill, to raise a glass in his memory.
Talented footballer Ryan, who was from Quarry Bank, died after being stabbed to death at Chicago's in Stourbridge town centre last month.
Tributes poured in, with dozens of bouquets of flowers left outside Chicago's following his death.
The nightclub, which has since re-opened, has confirmed it will stay shut for the whole day.
Mr Passey's family launched a campaign to have the venue closed for good following his death but licensing chiefs at Dudley Council instead ordered management to tighten security.
Kobe Murray, 19, of The Broadway, Dudley, has pleaded not guilty to murder and is due to stand trial in January.
