A talented teenage boy described as an inspiration and an "incredible young man" died in a car crash as he travelled home from a cricket match.

Popular Ed Glover was killed when his black Ford KA collided with a Ford Mondeo on the A2050 in Upper Harbledown, Canterbury, on Tuesday night.

The 18-year-old, who is understood to have recently finished his A-levels at city grammar Simon Langton Boys, was driving back with two others from a game against Bexley that evening.

Friends from Canterbury Cricket Club, whose under-19 side he was representing, say they are proud to have played alongside the sporty teen.

A spokesman for the club said: "Sadly on the trip back [from Bexley] Ed Glover lost his life following a car accident.

"Ed finished off the game for us in typical fashion by reverse sweeping their seamer for four.

"[He was] a fantastic lad full of character who we are proud to call one of our own.

"He played for Street End on Saturdays and played for our Sunday development side and our Under 19s.

"Our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates at an incredibly difficult time."

The club says it will put a condolence book in the tennis centre at Polo Farm in Littlebourne Road "for anyone who would like to share a happy memory" of Ed.

Dozens of people who knew the young man through the club and school also took to social media to express their sadness.

Teacher Claire Chalmers wrote: "I had the pleasure of being Ed's form tutor in Year 7 and of knowing his loving family for a number of years before that.

"A lively, bright spark in the group, who always made me smile, and those memories will stay with me always.

"My deepest condolences to all his family and friends. Such a tragic loss."

Matt Walker, head coach at Kent Cricket Club, tweeted: "On behalf of myself & all at @KentCricket we would like to send our deepest condolences to Ed Glover’s family & friends.

"Such a tragic loss of someone so young. He was such a sport mad, charming and charismatic lad & will be missed by all that knew him."

The youngster was also an accomplished tennis player.

He often shared the court with the late Sadie Bristow, a nine-year-old girl ranked highest in the UK for her age, who died of an allergic reaction in 2018.

Reacting to the news of Ed's tragic death, the Sadie Bristow Foundation posted on Facebook: "He was an incredible young man. Loved and admired.

"Sadie and Ed spent hours together on court practising and training.

"He was an inspiration to Sadie and a huge part of her tennis and life journey."

Commenting underneath the post, Stu Mears said: "You were a true gentleman and one of the loveliest people I’ve ever met! Goodbye my friend! Your passing has really hit me hard."

Martin Dovey said: "Ed was very talented, intelligent and funny. RIP Ed, you were taken too soon and will be missed."

Others writing on the page described him as "such a lovely, kind young man who always thought of others" and a "wonderful, kind and selfless young man, taken far too soon".

A 24-hour "tennis-athon" held by the foundation at Bridge Tennis Club on Saturday will be dedicated to Ed.

The crash happened at 10pm on Tuesday as the schoolboy, who was driving the Ford KA, joined the A2050 at the junction with Wingate Hill.

He was pronounced dead at the scene after being involved in a collision with the other vehicle, which was travelling towards Canterbury.

Two passengers in the car with him, as well as the driver of the Mondeo, also suffered minor injuries.

The A2 coast-bound exit to the A2050 Canterbury West was closed shortly afterwards and remained shut until about 8.30am the following day.

Police have launched an investigation and are urging witnesses and anyone with information or dashcam footage to call them on 01622 798538, quoting the reference number KH/MD/63/21.

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