by Sam Lennon

A veteran rugby player died after being injured during a memorial match - to honour a player who died in similar circumstances nine years earlier.

Fellow players, including a paramedic, at first kept John Lord alive and he was flown to hospital. But he died there next day.

It came during an annual memorial match to Joe Edwards, a married father of three, who collapsed and died during a game at Folkestone’s home ground on September 21, 2003.

Andy Dagger, Folkestone Rugby Football Club chairman, announced John Lord's death on the club website: “It is with deep regret that we have to announce the sad news of the death of John Lord.

“John was a long-serving and loyal member of our club and will be missed by us all.

“Our thoughts are with his wife and children at this very sad and difficult time.”

The tragedy unfolded at the Newington ground on Saturday afternoon, when Mr Lord, 64, suffered chest and spinal injuries playing for Folkestone Vets against Dover Vets.

The club says his heart had stopped for eight minutes but a paramedic, Mike Gardner, playing for the 1st XV on the adjacent pitch, and Vets player Simon Petts kept his heart going by giving him CPR until a land ambulance arrived.

An air ambulance was then called and he was flown to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, which is a major trauma centre.

He died there on Sunday evening, and leaves a wife, Linda, and three children, Gary, Sophie and Sarah.

It was just nine years earlier that Joe Edwards, a married father of three, collapsed and died during a game at Folkestone’s home ground.

Again frantic attempts to revive the 48-year-old were in vain.

A trainee paramedic from the club and a fireman trained in first aid worked on him. He was then rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A post mortem examination revealed he had died of natural causes from a heart condition.

Mr Cooper said: “A memorial match is played each year to remember Big Joe Edwards. This is like a returning nightmare for our players and supporters.”