GROUNDSMAN AMONGST KILLED AT SHOREHAM AIR CRASH
Matt Grimstone of Brighton & Hove Albion
One of the first victims to be named from Saturday's tragic accident at the Shoreham air display, was a member of the grounds staff at Brighton & Hove FC's training facility, Matt Grimstone.
Matt Grimstone
He was named alongside Jacob Schilt, as both men played for Worthing United in the Southern Combination Premier Division, and were on their way to play Loxton when the aircraft crashed into vehicles on the A27.
Brighton and Hove released a statement saying that Matt was a member of the club's ground staff at the club's training facility in Lancing, a keen amateur footballer and talented goalkeeper. A former Varndean student, Matt, 23, had worked at the club for the past seven years - starting with the Albion as part of the matchday event team at Withdean. He became an apprentice groundsman in 2013, and was given a full-time role with the grounds team having successfully completed his apprenticeship. Jacob, who alongside Matt was part of Worthing United's Sussex County League Division Two championship-winning side last season, also played for an Albion supporters' team in this year's Robert Eaton Memorial Fund match against Crystal Palace at Lewes in April. Chairman Tony Bloom commented, "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."
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