Hundreds of friends gathered with family members to celebrate the life of a hugely popular young man who tragically died in a car crash.

The memorial to 18-year-old Ed Glover from Canterbury produced an outpouring of affection and admiration for the teenager, who had just finished his A-Levels at Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys.

A dedicated sportsman, he had been driving his Ford Ka home to Canterbury on July 13 after a cricket match in Bexley when he collided with a Ford Mondeo on the A2050 in Upper Harbledown.

His death devastated his family and many friends, and the scale of the turnout on Friday was indicative of his popularity.

Earlier in the week, his funeral had taken place at Barham, attended by only close family.

The celebration of his life was held at Polo Farm and attended by about 500 people who watched a slide show, presented by his family, in which his passion for life and especially sport, notably cricket and tennis, was evident.

His "spiritual home" was Street End Cricket Club, and he was also dedicated to Canterbury and Bridge Tennis Clubs.

It was at the latter that he spent many hours rallying with rising tennis star Sadie Bristow, who tragically died in 2018, aged just nine, from a fatal allergic reaction.

The foundation set up by her parents in her name was one of the causes closest to Ed’s heart, and he took part in events in her memory.

His family said: "Ed was, by nature, a generous soul and demonstrated this in both small and big ways.

"From walking Ellie and Ella home after a night out, to undertaking a bike ride from Calais to Amsterdam, where he raised £200 to support a student’s education at Dr Obote college in Uganda."

In 2019 Ed was shortlisted by the Kent County Lawn Tennis Association as ‘Young Person of the Year’ for his work coaching ‘tots to teens’, and also his commitment to the Sadie Bristow Foundation.

"He never realised how good he was. If he did, he was far too humble to boast about it"

Many team mates and friends recalled anecdotes and memories about Ed, including Kevin Hopper, of Street End who said he "had a smile wherever he went".

"Nothing was taken too seriously and he always volunteered to front up on the field, with bat or ball,"he said.

"He never realised how good he was. If he did, he was far too humble to boast about it."

Ed was famed for his reverse sweep, as well as a ravenous appetite during match tea breaks.

Steve Martin recalled: "I remember providing one-to-one coaching sessions for Ed when he was around 14.

"It was clear to everyone how good a player he was going to be with the excellent hand-eye co-ordination.

"We tried to stop him trying to sweep or reverse sweep every ball and get him playing shots with a straight bat, but to no avail.

"He always had a cheeky grin on his face after he swept a ball he shouldn't have - he couldn't help himself."

James Chamberlain added: "Ed embodied everything Street End Cricket Club is about.

"Watching him develop into a great young man both on and off the field was a privilege. I could not have been prouder when he hit his maiden hundred earlier this summer."

In his own tribute to Ed, Langton head Ken Moffat called him an "archetypal Langtonian".

"If I could have bottled him, I would,"he said.

"I could have wheeled him out in front of new parents and said 'look – here’s one we made earlier – this is what we are trying to turn your son into'. He was kind, thoughtful and popular with everyone.

"When he wasn’t in the classroom or on the sports field, it was a fair bet that you would find him somewhere around the school canteen trying to persuade the kitchen staff to give him free food.

"He was one of the best of us and we will always miss him."

Mr Moffat also awarded Ed his school colours – half colours for hockey, full colours for tennis, squash and cricket – which were accepted by his father, Julian.

There were many other tributes paid, including from friends at Canterbury Tennis Club, who said his death had "left a massive hole" and he would be sorely missed.

"Ed epitomised the club's values and ethos," they said.

"He was known for his infectious smile, his energy, his huge enthusiasm to play the game, no matter who it was against, whatever level or age they were.

"This attitude led to him getting involved as an assistant coach, where he was a fantastic role model to the younger children."

All the tributes combined to honour a talented and generous young sportsman who had made many friends in his short life.

At the end of the occasion there was a two-minute silence, followed by a final tribute and thanks from his father, Julian, and a standing ovation for a young man who will clearly never be forgotten.

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