Seven men and two youths have admitted conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm in connection with the murder of an Army cadet.
Joseph Lappin, 16, from Liverpool, was visiting a youth club when he was unwittingly caught up in gang rivalry and stabbed through the heart.
James Moore, 17, admitted the murder at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday.
Joseph, a member of the Liverpool Scottish Regiment, had travelled from his home in Old Swan to the Shrewsbury House Youth Club across the city in Langrove Street, Everton, with friends on October 20, 2008.
As the boys stood outside the club, they were confronted by the defendants, who had gone to Langrove Street looking for revenge following a fight between their gang and rivals earlier that day.
The 10-strong group, armed with weapons including batons, sticks and bottles as well as Moore's 4in blade, chased the three boys in a circle around the youth club building until they returned to the front doors and tried to get inside to safety.
But as the boys stood on the doorstep, Moore, then aged 15, launched his frenzied attack and knifed Joseph through the heart and his friend Callum in the chest and leg. Callum survived the attack but Joseph was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
Colin Yell, 24, of Snowdon Lane; Colin Cain, 21, of Barmouth Way; Anthony Preston, 21, of Eldonian Way; Anthony Smith, 22, of Heriot Street, John McDonald, 22, of Wilcock Close; Thomas Riding, 19, of Houlgrave Road; Anthony Greenwood, of Lockfields View; Shaun Doyle, 17, of St Albans Court; and 16-year-old Francis Jordan, of Burlington Street, all Liverpool - changed their pleas on Thursday and admitted being part of the gang which attacked the three boys.
The judge, Mr Justice Henriques, told the nine they would all receive jail terms. He remanded them in custody until February 1 and 2 when they will be sentenced alongside Moore.
Outside court, Joseph`s mother Toni Lappin broke down in tears as she said: "We are extremely relieved and grateful that there has been a just conclusion today. Above all, we remember our much-loved son Joseph. We will never forget him."
