A special memorial bench to remember a rugby student from Lancaster has been unveiled.
18-year-old Zak Elderton passed away earlier this year, following a road traffic collision.
Zak played for the Vale of Lune rugby club in Lancaster and was described by them as "a sportsman of considerable ability".
Zak died in March after a road crash in Brookhouse near Lancaster, just hours after he played for the Vale of Lune A team.
He played for the Vale through all levels of the Mini, Junior and Colt sections.
He was also a student at Myerscough College, near Garstang, where this week a memorial bench in his honour was unveiled.
In the summer, a group of his friends and students walked 23 miles to raise money to purchase the memorial bench in his memory, raising more than £2,500.
This week, the bench was officially unveiled, and members of Zak’s family invited to receive one of Zak’s shirts, that had been specially framed.
Zak’s bench takes pride of place overlooking the main rugby pitch at Myerscough’s main Bilsborrow campus.
The inscription on the bench reads: ‘’In memory of Zak Elderton (Reggie). Those we miss don’t go away, they play beside us every day. Rest in peace #4Zak13.’’
In a tribute, Myerscough College said: ‘’We will remember Zak as a most pleasant young man, always respectful, kind and polite and an absolute credit to his family.
‘’Zak loved playing rugby for the College and had a real flair for it. He always wanted the best for himself and the team and was always motivated to improve and win. After every training session or match he would ask ‘how can I get better, what do I need to do, what can I work on?’. He was determined not to let his team and the coaches down and gave everything he could while playing for the College.''
‘’Zak was a great pleasure to teach and coach and we will be forever grateful to Zak for his efforts and determination both on and off the pitch. We will all miss his strength of character, sense of fun, warmth and can-do attitude. Zak was a true character who will be sadly missed by us all.
‘’Our rugby students are now even more determined to go out and win their remaining fixtures this year in memory of Zak – to show up individually and collectively and do their best, just as Zak did every day.
‘’We are incredibly proud of the young man Zak had become. He was a great ambassador for Myerscough Rugby and for the College as a whole.’’
Plans for new six-court padel centre in Lancaster get thumbs up
Teams called out to 17 fallen or dangerous trees as Storm Boelo battered Lancaster District
Lancaster film director's new action thriller starring John Hannah coming to home city
Emergency services called to two-vehicle crash near Lancaster
Lancaster and Morecambe police benefit from new fleet of electric bikes
Lancaster resident's shock as tree falls on house during Storm Boelo
Tour de France comes to Lancaster district: Full route breakdown
Serial burglar jailed for seven years after spree of Lancaster break-ins
Storm boards on Morecambe Prom ahead of "exceptionally high tides" and strong winds
Councillor apologises and admits "we got things wrong" over Blue Badge parking survey
Heysham 2 apprentice scoops national award
Former MP David Morris officially selected as Conservative candidate for Morecambe and Lunesdale
Extra staff and extended opening hours among plans as Lancaster hospital prepares for winter
What's On: Our Halloween and bonfire/fireworks events guide
Lancaster champion calls for more respect for businesses after spate of youth crime
Lancaster MP "disappointed" in Government decision on Jackdaw gas field
Morecambe announced as key part of Lancashire stage of Tour de France
Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth Remembrance services announced
LISTEN: Lancaster prisoners carve penguins for Christmas trail with a difference
EXCLUSIVE: Massive Wagons to headline Lancaster Christmas Lights Switch On 2026
