'A fantastic young man who always wore a smile' - Local Birmingham football team pay tribute to ex-junior player who died at Sutton Park

The body of Daniel Drewitt was pulled from a lake at a West Midlands beauty spot after he went missing in the water during the latest heatwave. 

The 16-year-old got into difficulty while swimming at Sutton Park, which is one of the biggest urban parks in Europe.

Specialist rescue teams began searching for the missing lad and found his body in Powells Pool, shortly after 6pm on Thursday (July 10).

Tributes have started pouring in for the youngster - with friends and members of the public leaving floral tributes to him at the park.

Now, Daniel's former football team have paid tribute to him via social media - stating that he always 'wore a smile on or off the pitch'. 

In a statement issued on the team's Facebook page, a spokesperson for Northfield Town FC wrote: "RIP Daniel. One of our talented former junior players, Daniel Drewitt, passed away yesterday evening following a tragic accident at Sutton Park. 

"Daniel was a fantastic young man who always wore a smile on his face whether on or off the pitch and was loved by so many. Everyone at Northfield Town FC send their thoughts and heart felt condolences to the family, friends and former teammates." 

Daniel’s grandma, Lilian Swann, commented on the football club's post: “That’s our beautiful grandson who had his whole life ahead of him we will never recover from this. Love you loads Daniel and miss you so much, Nan and grandad Roy xxx.”

She added that she would be going to a church in Sutton Coldfield on Saturday to "light a candle for our much-loved and beautiful grandson gone too soon".  

Daniel also played for Bromsgrove Rovers AFC juniors, who have also paid tribute to him via social media, calling him a ''cheeky lad from Birmingham who loved life". 

The post read: "One of our former junior players from Last years u16s Daniel Drewitt, sadly passed away Thursday evening following a tragic accident at Sutton Park. 

"Quote from Daniels Manager: Daniel Drewitt, cheeky lad from Birmingham who loved life to the max, always worked hard in training and games and a pleasure to work with Such a sad loss for a lad with a bright future ahead of him and will be missed by all!!

"Everyone at Bromsgrove Rovers AFC will be in support of Daniels Ex team Mates, coaching Staff and Family through this tough time, We send our thoughts and heart felt condolences to the family, friends and former teammates. RIP Daniel."