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Tributes paid to stabbed church footballer
 Tributes have been paid to teenage church footballer John Sewell, who was fatally stabbed on the Heartsease estate in Norwich early on Saturday morning following an argument.
The former Heartsease High School pupil played football for Witard Road Baptist Church in the Norfolk Christian Football League and had been selected to play for Ipswich Town’s youth academy. He also played for four other local football teams.
His parents, Ray and Jane, were too upset to talk publicly about their son's death, but issued a joint statement through the police.
The couple said: “John was tragically taken away from us - he was loved by everyone.
“He was fun-loving with a great sense of humour. He could be mischievous at times but everyone loved him. He will be sadly missed by everyone.”
The Witard Road team still played their league match against King's on Saturday in honour of John and had a minute's silence before the match.
Mike Culwick, manager of the team, said: “The boys decided they wanted to play on Saturday and dedicated it to John. It was very tough for them emotionally. One of the things we all noticed about him was he was a role model for any young person. In all the seven years he played for us he was never cautioned or sent off.
“He was a very special and nice young man, a super guy.”
Rev David Adams, pastor of the Witard Road Church, said prayers for John at his service yesterday.
He added: “We are all horrified that such a thing could happen to such a young man.
“I think the main feeling is a sense of shock in the community that such a thing has happened on our doorstep.”
John suffered a puncture wound after being stabbed with a knife near the Canary pub in Watling Road on the Heartsease Estate at 12.20am on Saturday morning.
He was rushed to the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital but was pronounced dead later that night.
Pictured above is John Sewell playing for Witard Road Baptist Church.
If you would like to pay a tribute to John please use the button below to add one.
October 2006
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| | | Andrew Green (Guest) | 31/10/2006 16:29 | I played with John for the under 14s Witard Road team and he was a great guy who also happened to be really good at football. I then moved to play for Vineyard and our back four had to cope with him for four seasons, something we tried and often failed to do. One of the things you noticed playing against him was that often people on his team might get mouthy when things didn't go their way, but John never did; he just got on with it. He will be sorely missed by everyone except maybe the Vineyard defence. I just pray now that his family can cope with this tragedy and that they'd be able to carry on.
| | | | Tom Allen (Guest) | 31/10/2006 16:58 | I was extremely moved to hear about this tragic news. I also had known John through playing football with him over the years and I found him to be a really enthusiastic and talented guy. He was a very likeable person with a great sense of humour and was always a great positive influence on those around him. It saddens me to think that he has been lost, and I pray that this kind of violence will become a thing of the past.
| | | | Michael Culwick (Guest) | 04/11/2006 14:47 | I had known John for 7 years mainly through football, but he also attended a 'drop in centre' and youth club we ran on the Heartsease estate. He always wore a cap and always a smile, a really likeable person whom I was very fond of, an excellent footballer with who played hard and fair and was respected by all in the christian league. The team are pulling together and helping each other through this difficult time. Please pray for them and Johns family and for the estate, that peace may prevail and overcome the desire for retribution.
| | | | keiran (Guest) | 13/11/2006 14:47 | i will miss john even though didnt now him im just shocked
| | | | keiran (Guest) | 13/11/2006 14:49 | i only new him through other friends of jhons
| | | | DANIELLE (Guest) | 16/11/2006 11:26 | john you will never be forgotton.i miss you so much
| | | | jade plant (Guest) | 24/11/2006 16:39 | John you will never be forgotton we miss and love you so much sweet dreams darlin rest in pease lov you xxxxxxxxxxx
| | | | Kate...Scott (TNT)...sammy (Guest) | 18/12/2006 13:24 | John u r missed by every1! you were rli gd at footy n u was luved by every1!
TNT: John mate you were a really good mate and always will be in my heart! you are sadly missed by everyone! I was really shocked when i heard the news! R.I.P m8 hope you have a good life in heaven!
By the way you should remember me i used to play football with you Scott,? You did well in every match and you were a star! We had a great laugh at times you will always be missed! We had a match just for you and we won 10-0 i think it was you will always be missed btu never forgotten!
Scott...TNT!
| | | | Kirk (Guest) | 21/05/2008 07:25 | John miss you sooo much u wont beleive it. All the players for witard road do to!!! Hope we have made you proud by winning the league m8 coz we have dedicated it to you in your honour. we love you m8 miss you!!!! xxxxx
| | | | jacob (Guest) | 12/10/2009 11:59 | john was a great lad and a great fotballer he will never b eforgotten and will allways be missed by every one i pray that one day we wills ee him agen xxxx
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