Appeal for match tribute for park stabbing victim

Harleigh Hepworth, 17, an aspiring footballer, was a Wolverhampton Wanderers fan

Friends of a teenager who was killed in a Wolverhampton park have appealed to football fans to help them pay tribute to him.

Harleigh Hepworth, 17, from Staffordshire, was found with fatal stab wounds in West Park on 7 March.

The aspiring footballer, who was an avid fan of Wolverhampton Wanderers, has been described as an "all around lovely lad" who was "fun, kind and an amazing friend".

To honour his memory, his friends are asking spectators at Saturday's FA Cup match to clap for 60 seconds at the 17th minute as a tribute.

The group of friends have also appealed to the football club to display Harleigh's picture on the screen during the applause.

The football club has told the BBC it is aware of the call for one-minute applause.

Freya, 16, who had known Harleigh since the age of three, said she had been left heartbroken by his death.

She told the BBC: "Around my area there is not a lot of knife crime awareness. You never think it's going to happen to you.

"It was such a shock, he was a lovely boy and was respectful to everyone, we're all heartbroken."

Two boys have been charged in connection with Harleigh's death

A memorial gathering has been scheduled on Thursday at Brereton Park, in Staffordshire, where Harleigh's friendship group used to hang out.

In tribute Freya added: "There are no words to explain how I am feeling, I pray that he is at peace up there.

"I hope we're doing him proud and we'll never forget him."

Her mother Claire is behind the campaign for applause at Wolves' match against Coventry City.

She said: "At such a young age this has affected the community quite badly, the group have come together but there is just one person missing."

Two teenagers aged 16 and 17 have been charged with murder in connection with Harleigh's death.

The pair cannot be named for legal reasons.

They have both appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court via video link and have been remanded in custody to next appear in court on 12 April.