Police have issued a fresh appeal for information about the alleged murder of footballer Cody Fisher as a friend paid tribute to him, begging for him to come home.

Mr Fisher, 23, was stabbed on the dancefloor of the Crane nightclub in the Digbeth area of Birmingham just before 11.45pm on Boxing Day.

Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead around half an hour later. A murder investigation has been launched.

One of his friends, Jess Chatwin, paid tribute to the footballer on Twitter, in a tweet that is no longer public.

She wrote: “You didn’t deserve any of this. I’m so sorry this has happened to you my baby please come home. I love you forever Cody Fisher.”

She also wrote in her Instagram bio: “Love you forever my code”.

West Midlands Police wrote on Twitter: “Detectives have been working through the night and the investigation continues.

“We’re really pleased with the response so far, but are still appealing for people to get in touch who saw/recorded what happened.”

They included a link to submit information and photos or video footage.

In the appeal, they say no one has been arrested so far.

Detective Inspector Michelle Thurgood, who is leading the investigation, said in a statement on the West Midlands Police page: “This was a young man enjoying himself with friends on a Boxing Day night out and our thoughts are with his friends and family today.

“We know there were hundreds of people in the nightclub at the time. While we’ve spoken to a number of them already, we still need to hear from anyone who was there and who witnessed or even filmed what happened.

“We believe that the victim was approached by a group of people, and was then stabbed, so we’re working hard to identify all of those involved.”

Mr Fisher’s family said in a statement: “They have broken our hearts; I have lost my best friend. My family and I are asking for privacy and respectfulness at this heart-breaking time.”

Mr Fisher played for Stratford Town FC, who are in the Southern League Premier Division Central. He had also played for Bromsgrove Sporting.

Stratford Town’s chairman, Jed McCrory, told Sky News that “everyone is devastated by the news” and described Mr Fisher as a “talented footballer” and a “lovely, lovely young man”.

One of Mr Fisher’s friends, who played with him last season at Bromsgrove, told Sky News: “He was genuinely one of the nicest people you could hope to meet. He’d do anything for you.”

The club released a statement and described Mr Fisher’s death as a “tragic loss”, adding: “Our sincere condolences go to the family and friends of Cody.”

They said they were “deeply shocked and saddened” by the incident and added that the club’s New Year’s Eve event has been cancelled.

Detectives are viewing CCTV from the venue and urge anyone who was in the area to get in touch. The club will remain closed while evidence is collected, and police will remain in the area.