Two doormen at a Shrewsbury nightclub today appeared in court charged with the murder of a 41-year-old rugby player who died following a disturbance at the venue.

Neil Stokes, 22, and Daryl Brown, 32, appeared before magistrates in Shrewsbury after being charged last night over the death of Darren Griffiths, from Harmer Hill.

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They were among four men arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of Mr Griffiths, who was injured in an incident at the Liquid and Diva nightclub in the early hours of Monday.

The other two men have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Stokes, of Spring Gardens, Shrewsbury, and Brown, of Severn Drive, Wellington, spoke only to confirm their names, ages and addresses during today’s 15-minute hearing.

Stokes, who wore a white T-shirt, and Brown, who wore a dark suit, were both remanded in custody to appear at Shrewsbury Crown Court on July 13.

Mr Griffiths, who played as a prop for Shrewsbury Rugby Club, was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital after the disturbance at the nightclub but died a short time later.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Williamson, the senior investigating officer, today issued a fresh witness appeal.

He said: “Our investigations are continuing into the incident and we are still appealing for witnesses to come forward. We have received a pleasing response to witness appeals so far but we believe a number of other people who walked by the incident have still not contacted the police.”

He added: “It is absolutely vital that anyone in the club on the night who saw any part of the incident, however insignificant it might seem, should contact Shrewsbury police station on 0300 333 3000 without delay.”

A post-mortem examination has been conducted by a Home Office pathologist and police are preparing a full report for John Ellery, the coroner for mid and north Shropshire.

Police said today that Liquid and Diva would remain closed for the “foreseeable future” despite owners hoping it would open as normal at the weekend.

For the full story on the closure see Friday’s Shropshire Star.

By John Kirk