A rugby match commemorating best friends who were killed by a bomb blast in Afghanistan will take place at Mitcham Rugby Club.

Serving in Sangin in July 2009, Rifleman Danny “Simo” Simpson was injured by an improvised explosive device and was being carried to safety by best friend, Rifleman Joseph Murphy, when a second explosion went off, killing them both.

Member of 2nd Battalion the Rifles, father-of-one, Rfn Simpson played at centre for Mitcham Rugby Club 3rd XV before being deployed abroad.

When club vice-chairman, Mark Smee, discovered that Rfn Murphy also played rugby for Birmingham team Yardley, he decided to organise the first game between the teams.

He said: “Danny was relatively new to the club and although he played just four or five games for our third team he was well-known here as a person and a player – when he was not playing he was here socialising.

Mitcham Veterans versus Yardley Veterans will be supported by Mitcham’s first/second XV versus an Army team and will be followed by a youth game.

Bob Simpson, Rfn Simpson’s father, said he was looking forward to the event and meeting up with Rfn Murphy’s parents.

He said: "It would be nice to see a good game of rugby and a good bit of support.

"Let us hope the sun is shining and that everyone has a good day."

In September 2009, the club raised £10,634 at a fundraising event, which was split between Help for Heroes, the 2nd Batalion Rifles and Afghan Mothers – a charity helping affected families in Afghanistan, which was co-founded by Rfn Simpson’s mother.

This time, money raised will go to Care for Casualties, a charity treating injured soldiers from the Rifles Battalion.

The event will start at noon on May 12 at Mitcham Rugby Club, Peterborough Road, Sutton.

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