A 22-year-old doorman has admitted killing a Shropshire father-of-two in a scuffle at a Shrewsbury nightclub.

Neil Stokes admitted the manslaughter of Darren Griffiths, 41, at the Liquid and Diva club during a brief appearance at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday.

Stokes, of Spring Gardens, Ditherington, Shrewsbury, had previously denied murdering Mr Griffiths last June. Daryl Brown, of Severn Drive, Wellington, yesterday denied a charge of manslaughter.

The court was told Brown would face trial on the manslaughter charge on April 14 at Birmingham Crown Court but a charge of murder against both defendants would be dropped.

Stokes, who wore a white shirt and black trousers for the hearing, was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at the end of Brown’s trial.

Brown, wearing a black suit, pink shirt and blue tie, was granted conditional bail.

Mr Griffiths, from Harmer Hill, near Shrewsbury, was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital after the incident at the club but died a short time later.

He left wife Amanda and two young daughters Charlotte and Ellen.

Mr Griffiths played as a prop for Shrewsbury Rugby Club, where he was described as a well-respected and well-liked member of the team.

Flowers and other tributes were left outside the Shrewsbury club in the wake of the tragedy. They included a blue Shrewsbury rugby shirt and two rugby balls.

Mr Griffiths had completed 12 years in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and later worked as an engineer for Shrewsbury’s Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside shopping centres.

A Help For Heroes T-shirt and a pint of beer were also left at the scene.

The ball was signed: “To Griff. You will be sorely missed but always remembered. Love Paul and Rach.”

Another tribute said: “Griff, you will always be in our hearts. RIP mate. Love you, Rea.”

More than 2,500 people joined a Facebook page set up in memory of Mr Griffiths after his death.

The club, in Raven Meadows, remained shut for several weeks after the tragedy.

By Andrew Morris