Hundreds turned out to pay a massive fond farewell to much-loved rugby player at his funeral and at a memorial match.

Scaffolder Shaun Tandy, 35, died after a fall at work.
Mr Tandy, from Princes Park, Chatham, was pronounced dead at the scene despite attempts to resuscitate him after he suffered a cardiac arrest.

Rugby players from all over the county and friends from abroad attended his funeral at Medway Crematorium at Blue Bell Hill.

Two days later his mates from Lordswood Rugby Club, where Mr Tandy used to be captain of the first team, opened up their ground for a tribute game.

His best friend and fellow player Lee Evans said: “It was just what Shaun would have wanted. Lots of singing and drinking. It was a great send-off to a great man and he would have appreciated it.”

Among those at the match were Mr Tandy’s mum Cindy, dad Ron and former partner Laura Hyland, the mother of his son Jack.

Although the couple had split up, they kept in touch and Mr Tandy was a doting father to four-year-old Jack.

Mr Tandy was living at his mother’s home in Berkshire Close, but at the time of his death was working away on a job in the Midlands.

Mrs Tandy, 60, said: “He was a very good dad, extremely popular and had a great sense of humour.“I have very happy memories of him. He was a happy boy who smiled through his eyes,”
A joint investigation between West Mercia Police and the Health and Safety Executive is ongoing into Mr Tandy's fall.