Brighton tributes pour in after two Worthing United footballers lose their lives at Shoreham Air Show tragedy

WORTHING UNITED have paid tribute to players Matt Grimstone and Jacob Schilt, who are both believed to be among the victims of the tragic Shoreham Air Show crash on Saturday afternoon.

The pair were both key members of the club’s squad that won the Sussex County League Division Two League and Cup double last season.

They were travelling to the club’s home game with Loxwood in the Southern Combination League Premier Division when a Hawker Hunter fighter jet crashed into a busy stretch of the A27.

The Mavericks issued a statement on their official club Twitter account:

 “Worthing United Football Club players Matt Grimstone and Jacob Schilt are both believed to be among the victims of yesterday’s tragic Shoreham Airshow crash.

“Grimbles was our first team goalkeeper, 23 years of age and a huge talent, quiet but reserved but a brilliant player with a huge potential to go further in the game.

“Jacob, who was also 23 years of age, small in stature and a tenacious midfielder, also very skilful with an eye for goal.

“They were both essential members of last season’s double-winning squad, the most successful season in the club’s history.

“At this point, we don’t know how or if we will cope with this. Worthing United is a family, part of the football family. We have been moved by the number of tributes to them that we have received from our fellow clubs and from the public.”

Brighton & Hove Albion revealed that Grimstone was a member of the club’s groundstaff at the club’s training facility in Lancing.

He had worked at the club for the past seven years – starting with the Albion at part of the matchday event team at Withdean.

Schilt also played for the Albion supporters’ team in this year’s Robert Eaton Memorial Find match against Crystal Palace at Lewis in April.

Brighton & Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom told www.seagulls.co.uk:  "The thoughts and prayers of everybody at the club are with Matt and Jacob's family and friends at this shocking time. Our thoughts are also with all the people who have lost loved ones in this horrendous accident."
 
Albion manager Chris Hughton said: "We are all shocked and deeply saddened by this news. Matt has been part of a great team we have at the club, and our thoughts go out to his and Jacob's families at this devastating time."

Chief executive Paul Barber added: "Matt's been a very popular member of our ground staff team and has proved to be an absolute credit to the club and his boss Steve Winterburn.  
 
"I also got to know Jacob as one of the REMF squad, during the coaching sessions we held leading up to this year's charity match against Crystal Palace. As well as being a very good footballer, Jacob is a popular and impressive young man.

"It is hard to the find the right words to express the full extent of our shock and sadness at this time, but Matt and Jacob's family and friends are very much in our thoughts - along with all those who've been affected by this terrible tragedy."

www.kentishfootball.co.uk and the entire Kent footballing family pass on our condolences to Worthing United Football Club and the players’ team-mates, family and friends during this sad time.

Rest In Peace.

Visit Worthing United website:  www.pitchero.com/clubs/worthingunitedfc

Visit Brighton & Hove Albion’s website: www.seagulls.co.uk