"He was always smiling and he would want us to smile for him" - Friends and teammates remember murder victim Reagan Asbury
Friends and teammates of murder victim Reagan Asbury have paid tribute to him during a memorial event describing him as the 'always happy' teenager who had his whole life ahead of him.
The 19-year-old from Pelsall was fatally stabbed on the night of Saturday, October 14, after violence broke out at a boxing show held at Walsall Town Hall.
He passed away in hospital the following day.
Today, a week on from the tragic incident, dozens of his friends turned out at The Old House at Home in Pelsall to remember him.
Among them was his girlfriend of two years 19-year-old Georgia Seedhouse.
She said: "I have known him since we were kids.
"He was just always happy. You would never see him unhappy. He always had a smile on his face, he was always joking.
"If anyone was in a mood he would be the one to bring them back up."
She added: "At first when it happened it was very hard, but as the days have gone on it has gotten a bit easier, but it is not easy.
"It helps having such a lot of friends around."
While long-time friend Liam Buchanan, 20, whose fundraising campaign for Reagan's family has raised more than £10,000, said: "He was a good friend to everyone even people he wasn't that close with. He would show realness to everyone.
"He was always there if you needed him."
The former Ormiston Shelfield Academy pupil who went onto become an apprentice in plumbing had played as a centre back for Pelsall United with teammates saying he was a role model on and off the pitch.
Reagan's number 5 shirt had been framed while pictures of him plastered the walls of the pub on Norton Road.
As well as a chance to share memories the event also served to raise funds for his family and generate awareness around knife crime.
Many people wore stickers which said 'Justice for Reagan'. Others sported Chelsea football shirts in honour of his favourite team.
Friends held back tears as they spoke about him.
Jack Nixon, aged 22, said: "I knew him for about three years and he became one of the best friends you could have.
"He never failed to make me smile.
"He was a quality footballer, unbelievable. One of the things about him is that he never ever changed whoever he was with.
"It is hard to imagine doing everyday stuff without him. But the type of character he was he wouldn't want us to dwell on it. He was always smiling and he would want us to smile for him.
"He liked everything and was a typical outgoing lad, always up for an adventure.
"I am just glad I had chance to become his friend really."
Keegan Gray, aged 18, said: "On and off the pitch he was a lad you looked up to. He was loved by everyone and he loved everyone as much as they loved him.
"He was gym-happy, mad for the gym.
"We have just got to look at the positives now.
"We have all seen each other every day since it happened, near enough.
"We have always been close but this has brought us closer to be honest. Every day we have seen each other and been around each other. Everyone has been as a group."
Cameron Bannister, aged 20, had known Reagan since they were school boys.
He said: "We have known each other for many yeas, he has always been the same funny kid.
"Whatever mood you was in he would make you laugh. It's just good to celebrate his life today."
Pelsall United, which plays in the Birmingham & District Football League division four, has cancelled their games for the time-being while they all come to terms with what has happened.
Manager Mark Nixon added: "We have called off our games, we are just training and meeting up and staying together.
"It has left a big hole in the football team, a very, very big hole to fill."
Two men have been arrested in connection with Reagan’s death.
A 25-year-old was detained in Derby last Sunday on suspicion of assisting an offender and has been bailed.
A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of the same offence on Tuesday morning and has now also been bailed.
Visit www.gofundme.com/r3ji-1 to add to the fundraising total for Reagan's family.
