By Meg Jorsh

Last updated at 20:21, Thursday, 17 December 2009

A former Carlisle United player died of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, an inquest heard.

Ronald Clark, 77, of Hanover Court, Morton West, Carlisle, died of lung cancer in April after working with asbestos as a coach builder.

A goalkeeper for United in the 1950s, he was exposed to the substance through his job for more than 30 years.

A post mortem on April 5 found he had five fragments of asbestos in nine sections of his lung.

Recording a verdict of death through industrial disease, coroner David Roberts said: “The cause of death was malignant mesothelioma, a cancer of the covering of the lungs. It’s something which can develop very quickly, but often 20 or 40 years after exposure to asbestos.”

Mr Clark worked for coach-building companies including Bendalls Engineers, Carlisle, and Border Caravans, Dumfries, from 1946 until 1982.

He would cut sheets of asbestos without proper protection or ventilation.

He was diagnosed with a deadly tumour in February at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, and later moved to the Eden Valley Hospice in Carlisle.

Mr Roberts added: “He was described as a cheerful, friendly man. He was obviously a man of many talents and I’m sure he’ll be very sadly missed.”

As a boy, Mr Clark played football for Raffles, Carlisle. He also played in the local Salvation Army band.

He left the city at the age of 21 to do national service with the RAF, before returning to play for Carlisle United.

He married Joan Howe in 1957 and the couple had three children before divorcing in 1994.

First published at 11:23, Thursday, 17 December 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk