WORTHING UNITED say they are not sure “how or if we will cope” after two of the club's players were believed to have been killed in the Shoreham air crash.
Goalkeeper Matthew Grimstone and midfielder Jacob Schilt were on their way to Worthing's match against Loxwood – which was later called off – on Saturday when a Hawker Hunter aircraft crashed into the busy A27 during a display at the Shoreham Airshow.
The pair, both 23, were part of the Mavericks squad that won the Sussex County League Division Two last season and clubs from up and down the country have paid their respects.
Grimstone had worked for Brighton & Hove Albion for seven years and was a member of the club's ground staff at their training base in Lancing. Schilt, meanwhile, was a Seagulls supporter and had turned out for the fans' team in charity matches.
A Worthing United statement read: “Grimbles was our first team goalkeeper, 23 years of age and a huge talent. Quiet and reserved but a brilliant player with a huge potential to go further in the game.
“Jacob, who was also 23 years of age, was small in stature and a tenacious midfielder. He was 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, and we have been moved by the number of tributes to them that we have received from our fellow clubs and from the public.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and the friends of Matt and Jacob.”
Brighton 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.”
