Rugby fan Vivian Rogerson died after a row with his neighbour over a parking space.

The 37-year-old plasterer was found with serious head injuries in Lydalls Road, Didcot, in the early hours of Saturday.

Detectives appealed for witnesses to the row, and to an earlier argument outside the Broadways pub.

Det Insp Simon Chesterman said: "We are aware there was a verbal exchange between two men outside Broadways nightclub about the time it was closing. We believe one of the people involved was Vivian Rogerson."

Mr Rogerson died at the John Radcliffe Hospital on Saturday afternoon. His girlfriend Sarah is believed to have been at his bedside.

The plasterer, who retired from playing full-time for Didcot Rugby Club five years ago because of a knee injury, joined friends on Friday night for a party to celebrate the 40th birthday of Anna Orlando. The party, held just 100 yards from his home at

Didcot Conservative Club, was also a reunion for The Family, a group of friends who used to drink together in their younger days.

Mrs Orlando, of Thorningdown, Chilton, who once went out with Mr Rogerson, said: "Viv hadn't replied to the invitation so I didn't know he was coming and was really pleased when he turned up.

"He seemed his normal happy self. He was stood by a pillar a lot of the night, just chatting to old friends. It was that sort of party."

Along with other partygoers, Mr Rogerson went on later to the Broadways pub, which has a late licence. Landlady Jacqueline Sporle was another member of The Family and had also been at the party. Mrs Orlando said Mr Rogerson got involved in a row at the pub. "There was a slight argument. Apparently, it was about a van. We knew Viv had later left the Broadways and then walked home, and it all seems to have happened between the Broadways and home.

Mrs Sporle said: "We had known Viv for years. I didn't see him here (at the Broadways) but he seemed happy at the party."

"We are all shell-shocked. He died in such a tragic way. It was a lovely reunion. It's no consolation but at least he saw all his old friends before he died."

Police were called to Lydalls Road shortly before 2am and Mr Rogerson, who lived alone, was found lying in the road with serious head injuries. He was taken by ambulance to the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford, but died several hours later.

Neighbour Florence Howson, 88, who lives just two doors away, told how he took it in turns to cut her lawn with the neighbour in between - the man he rowed with.

She said: "He had been here several years and always seemed like a very nice, quiet man."

Mr Rogerson had been in trouble with the police. In 1989, he was fined £100 after admitting assaulting Elaine Fiddes, a restaurant relief manageress, at the Wallingford Arms in Didcot. He was fined a further £100 by magistrates for smashing 36 beer glasses in the same incident.

*A 28-year-old Didcot man has been released on police bail.

Anyone who can help the police with their inquiries should call 01235 776515.

Story date: Monday 08 February

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