RELATIVES and friends of the late Bert Boardley are this weekend remembering the tragic event of 50 years ago that cruelly cut short a promising professional football career, writes Graham Dixon.

The 18-year-old Kendal gunner was representing the 121st Training Regiment in the Army Cup Final replay at Aldershot on April 19, 1948, when he was one of two players killed by lightning.

He was the fourth of six children and his late parents Denis and Mary were at the final along with the youngest brother Bryan.

While the other player perished instantly, Bert died in hospital six hours later.

Such had been Bert's footballing prowess at left half-back that on his 16th birthday he signed for Netherfield, then one of the top Lancashire Combination sides.

A year later he was transferred to Barrow, whose manager Andrew Beattie, a former Scotland captain, predicted a glittering future for him in the game.

Bert was then called up for National Service as clubs like Preston were seeking his signature.

Brother Doug, who lives in Natland Road, Kendal, this week told the Gazette his parents had been left shattered by the tragedy They had stayed with relatives in London between the first game and replay while Bert had 'nipped' home. "I was still at school at the time and remember that the King and Queen had been at the first game. I had a kickaround with Bert in Kendal before he went back for the replay. "I had gone to Netherfield to watch a local football tournament the day it happened. I am amazed at how many people have mentioned that the 50th anniversary was coming up and recall where they were at the time.""Bert was four years older than me and I idolised him. Anyone in this town who is over 50 will know about Bert and just how popular football was at Netherfield at the time."Mr Boardley said that Netherfield played a memorial game against Barrow and the proceeds were used to provide a headstone at the graveside in Parkside Cemetery. Around 200 mourners had attended the full military funeral.

The surviving brothers and sister, Denise, Jack, Doug and Bryan - Archie died two years ago - have placed an In Memoriam notice in this week's Westmorland Gazette.

Adds Doug: "We have preferred not to do anything like this before but felt that after 50 years it was an appropriate time to do something."

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