13-07-2025
Grandmother's tribute to 'popular' Birmingham City fan, 16, who died in Sutton Park lake
The family of a "popular" football-loving teenager have paid tribute for the first time since his body was recovered from a lake.
Daniel Drewitt went missing after entering the water at Powell's Pool in Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, shortly after 6pm on Thursday. His body was recovered hours later.
Now, his family have released some of their favourite recent photos of the teenager.
In a statement issued by the police, they said: 'Daniel was a handsome, funny and talented boy who really cared about his friends and family.
'Everyone wanted to be his friend and he was popular because of the beautiful spirit he had.
'Daniel was a big Birmingham City Football Club fan and would love going to the games with his grandad and friends.
'He had so many dreams and aspirations and he had his whole life ahead of him.
'He has been taken from us way too soon and we still can't process what is happening right now.
'His family and friends are all devastated from this awful tragedy, and this will forever leave an everlasting pain in all of our hearts.
'We cannot put into words how much we will miss him and his cheeky smile.'
The family thanked the community for its support, saying it gave them comfort knowing that 'they all saw what we saw in him'.
'Miss you so much'
Meanwhile, his grandmother, Lilian Swann commented on Facebook 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.'
Daniel was a .
Staff at his school described him as "full of life" and a "talented sportsman".
Northfield Town FC said he was "a fantastic young man who always wore a smile on his face whether on or off the pitch".
And Daniel's manager at Bromsgrove Rovers described him as a "cheeky lad from Birmingham who loved life to the max, always worked hard in training and games and a pleasure to work with."
More than £6,000 has been raised after a GoFundMe fundraiser was launched to cover Daniel's funeral expenses.
