Josh SandifordBBC News, West Midlands
West Midlands Police Ashley Day was described by his family as "kind, caring and compassionate"The family of a young footballer stabbed to death at a flat party have paid tribute after his killer was convicted.
Gurveer Bhandal, 18, was cleared of murdering Ashley Day but found guilty of manslaughter at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday.
It followed an incident at an apartment on Bradford Street in Digbeth in June.
Mr Day's family described the 20-year-old as "kind, caring and compassionate".
The court heard Mr Day, who played at Newport County's academy, had rented the Birmingham apartment to celebrate securing a place at Brunel University.
When he asked people to leave, an argument was said to have broken out between him and Bhandal.
Bhandal, of Wombourne, Staffordshire, stabbed the victim three times in the chest and once in the back when he fell to the floor.
The 18-year-old ran from the flat and discarded the knife, which was later found on a construction site.
A peacemaker
In a statement, Mr Day's family said he would be remembered for his smile which lit up any room he entered.
Relatives told how the 20-year-old hated violence and would always act as a peacemaker.
"His kind, caring and compassionate nature was shown through his warm love for his family and friends," the statement read.
"Ashley was happiness. His well-mannered, warm aura always made you feel at ease whenever you were around him."
West Midlands Police Gurveer Bhandal was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughterDet Insp Jim Mahon said it was not known who provided the 22cm blade which killed Mr Day.
The police officer explained the case highlighted the dangers of young people carrying knives.
"Two young men have lost lives as a result of this," he said.
"The suspect will now spend a substantial period of time in prison and lose a significant portion of his young life.
"We hope that Ashley’s family have seen justice served and our thoughts remain firmly with them."
Bhandal will be sentenced on 5 January.
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