Bury St Edmunds rugby club honours victims of 1974 plane crash

Family, friends and current members lay flowers and wreaths at a memorial on the grounds of Bury St Edmunds RUFC

A rugby club has paid tribute to players, officials and supporters who died in a plane crash 50 years ago.

Eighteen members of Bury St Edmunds Rugby Union Football Club died when a Turkish Airlines plane crashed on 3 March 1974 near Paris.

The club held a memorial service and lunch at the ground, ahead of the first team's match against Dorking RFC.

Club chairman Craig Germeney said: "I think it still plays a very important role in [the] club."

The members were on their way home after watching a France-England rugby match in Paris.

Just minutes after take-off from Orly international airport, the aircraft came down in Ermenonville Forest, just outside the French capital, killing all 346 people on board.

Gordon Ellis's father Bryan died on his son's eighth birthday

Bryan Ellis was killed in the crash which happened on his son Gordon Ellis's eighth birthday.

Mr Ellis, 58, said: "We were excitedly waiting for dad to come home and there was a few people in the house and police knocked on the door and we were sent to bed.

"The next morning we woke up and my mum told me the tragic news.

"Life changed dramatically, it was very sad along with the 21 other children affected we have a bond here today and it's an emotional time.

"But with tragedy comes good things. I have children [who] played on the pitch, I've played on the pitch, my dad played on the pitch.

"I've met some wonderful people, wonderful friends and have a bond and friendship through whatever and whenever."

Di Struthers travelled from New Zealand to remember her brother John McClinton

Di Struthers's brother John McClinton died in the crash; he was a last minute addition to the team.

"The love of Bury St Edmunds is so special," she said.

"I just can't believe how they have got everything totally together and never forget those 18 wonderful men that died that day. It's a very, very special time."

The air disaster was deemed one of the world's deadliest plan crashes

Mr Germeney added: "I think it's really important that we still reflect on our history and our heritage, and give people the opportunity to show their respects in whichever way they see fitting."

Prior to the match the first team walked onto the pitch with a guard of honour and a minute's silence was held before kick off at 15:00 GMT.

The club has dedicated this season to the victims and worn a commemorative kit, embossed with the names of those who lost their lives.