Tears for gentle Steven
Steven Smith
TEARS flowed yesterday for gentle giant Steven Smith who died outside a town centre nightclub in the early hours of Boxing Day.
The 18-year-old whose pals described him as a “gem of a man” was discovered yards from Fury’s in Shuttle Street, Paisley, just before 1am shortly after a row with stewards.
His death is the second tragedy to hit the Smith family in four years – Steven’s older brother Darren, 20, died when he got caught up in a fight in a Gallowhill flat.
Yesterday as detectives confirmed they are still treating the death as suspicious a shrine to the teenager - who used to play football with Glenbrae Colts – had been set up by friends outside Gallowhill Community Centre.
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One of Steven’s good pals Chris Anderson, who laid a floral tribute on the steps of Fury’s, said: “I’ve known him since we were young boys. He was a great pal and I’m going to really miss him.
Chris, 20, added: “He liked football and played for Glenbrae – I think for the under 14s and 15s.
“You can see by all the tributes left here, people really liked him.”
A shrine to Steven, affectionately nicknamed Smiddy, has been visited by dozens of people who want to pay their respects to the teenager who stood well over 6ft.
A row of football shirts representing Rangers, Celtic and St Mirren have all been left while candles are burning bright in his memory.
Floral tributes littered the ground. One says: “Gone but not forgotten”.
Another says: “Love you, always in our thoughts” and “You’re always going to be remembered.”
A woman who visited the shrine to pay her respects told the Paisley Daily Express: “Steven was a lovely young man. He would help anyone.
“I’d call him a gentle giant, I liked him very much.”
Another added: “He was a big guy with a big heart.”
Last night it remained unclear if Steven - pictured here - was pushed or tragically slipped on icy cobble stones outside Fury’s and banged his head on the ground.
Police who are waiting on the result of a post mortem – which will be held today – are appealing for witnesses.
And a Facebook site called “Shut Down Fury Murrys” has been set up in the wake of the tragedy.
Zoe Adams, who left a tribute there, said: “We went through high school and he was a great guy.
“Steven you’re with Darren now. He will keep you safe.”
Darren Smith was found dead at a house in Bruce Road, Gallowhill, in December 2006 after he got caught up in a fight.
At the time his death was being treated as murder.
Later it was revealed he died from a single stab wound to the chest.
Following a trial at the High Court in Paisley Christopher Horrell, 26, admitted culpable homicide and was jailed for eight years.
