A young man stabbed to death after trouble erupted following a boxing event at a Birmingham social club was just days away from his 23rd birthday.

The victim, named locally as Harry Broadhurst, from Henley-in-Arden, was discovered in Chelmsley Wood’s Nine Acres Drive at about 6.15pm on Sunday with a fatal stab wound to the stomach.

He was transferred to hospital but was pronounced dead an hour later.

Detectives launched a murder inquiry and yesterday carried out a series of raids.

Officers were chasing a number of leads as Mr Broadhurst was described as a “beautiful friend” and “genuinely lovely” by heartbroken friends and family.

Police said it was understood “the incident was the culmination of disorder” that initially broke out at nearby St Anne’s Social Club and then spilled over into Nine Acres Drive.

Residents said the club, in Bosworth Drive, had hosted a boxing event earlier in the day and that had finished at about 5pm.

It is not clear whether Mr Broadhurst, a Villa fan, had been a spectator at the event or was attacked outside the venue.

A second man, aged 46, from Chelmsley Wood, and named locally as Eamon Crawford, was taken to hospital suffering a hand injury. Sources said he was injured as he acted as a peacemaker and tried to break up the incident.

Forensics specialists, dressed in white boiler suits, spent yesterday scouring the scene in the hunt for clues. A blue tent covered the murder scene.

Yellow markers identifying potential pieces of evidence littered the road. A blue Ford Fiesta was taken away from the scene for examination.

A post-mortem examination was being carried out yesterday afternoon and police were scouring CCTV footage seized from the area in the hope it had captured crucial evidence.

A floral tribute at the scene from Aunty Julie and uncle David said: “So brutally taken from us. So young with the world at your feet.”

The woman, who did not wish to give her name, added: “He was hardworking and successful and he was getting his business up and running in the steel manufacturing industry. He was a genuinely lovely kid.”

Another tribute, from Emily, said: “To my beautiful friend Harry Broadhurst. Sleep peacefully. You will forever be in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.”

A source close to the club said he hoped the tragedy would not have a detrimental effect on the centre which had, for many years, been a focal point for the community, particularly in youth football club’s known as the ‘3 Cs’.

He said: “We hope they don’t close the club. That would be devastating for the community. It is the one thing the community has got that people can go to.

“The boxing event had been a family occasion and there had been no trouble while it was on.”

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “My wife was shocked when we had police at the door and all this place tape in our street.

“It is a shock to have something like this happen in your area. People say that Chelmsley Wood has got a bit of a bad name but the area is so peaceful.”

Anyone with information, or who was at St Anne’s Social Club prior to the stabbing, is urged to contact detectives at Solihull police station on 0345 113 5000 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.