A 47-year-old friend of Mr Stacey yesterday laid three bunches of flowers just behind the police cordon on Forton Road – as close as he could get to the scene of the murder.

The man, who asked not be named, sat on a wall opposite Alma Street, where his friend was killed, and stared at the forensic officers investigating the scene.

'I don't know what's happened or why this has happened, I'm just shocked by it,' he said.

'Matt was a close friend of mine and a friend of my son and he was just the life and soul of the party.

'He used to go clubbing every weekend and he was just a really good fun guy.

'He's got a lot of friends around here, a lot of really good friends and so many people will be gutted by what's happened.'

Another friend, who didn't want to be named, said: 'I've known him from going up to the pub and stuff and he's just a brilliant guy. He's always been really out-going and just such a laugh.

Mr Stacey was a regular at the Jack In The Bush, in Elson Road, Gosport, where he and a group of local friends used to spend their evenings.

As well as being known as an out-going man who loved to have fun, Mr Stacey also had a passion for fishing and had his own boat.

In November 2006, The News angling correspondent Alan Watson reported on a fantastic catch he had made (see pictured above right).

Mr Stacey is pictured beaming out of the pages of The News holding up a 19lb cod that he had caught by the Nab Tower.

Darren Blair, owner of Gosport Amateur Boxing Club, an old friend of Mr Stacey said: 'I couldn't believe it when I found out.

'I've known him for years, he came to the club a few times when he was younger. He was a nice chap. I saw him last weekend at the Trades Club in Gosport where loads of us met up who hadn't seen each other for ages.
'We watched a band and had a good chat and it meant he got the chance to see all his friends. Everyone at the boxing club had a lot of respect for him, he was a nice fellow. It's just such a shame he's gone.'

Tributes have also been pouring into Mr Stacey's Facebook page: These included:
Lisa Griffiths Kelly said: 'RIP matt ... I am so shocked....another good 1 taken away.. xx'
'R.I.P mate, sleep tight fella was a pleasure knowing you :(' said Colin Perrio
Adam Way said: 'Taken too soon my friend. RIP! See you on the other side.'

School friend Melanie Bell said: 'Sleep tight Matt!! You were one in a million all those laughs at school...cant believe it xxxxxx'
Lee Hefferman: 'Words cant describe how upset and angry we all are will always remember u ginge,,, love to ur family xxxxxx'

David Hunter: 'Words cant say it mate. I will remember our football days you will always be a ginger gazza to me mate R.I.P love dave x x x'