Brighton & Hove Albion pay tribute to employee and supporter killed in air crash

Posted Monday, August 24, 2015 by skysports.com

Matt Grimstone, 23, had worked at Brighton for seven years

Brighton & Hove Albion have paid tribute to an employee and supporter who were among the victims of Saturday's air crash in Shoreham.

Matt Grimstone, 23, was a member of Brighton's ground staff at the club's training facility in Lancing, as well as a keen amateur footballer.

He was on his way to play for Worthing United against Loxwood in the Southern Combination Premier Division at Lyons Way, along with team-mate and Seagulls fan Jacob Schilt, who also lost his life in the incident.

The vehicle the pair were travelling in was hit by the aircraft which crashed on the A27 at Shoreham during an airshow, Brighton confirmed in a statement.

Brighton & Hove Albion pay tribute to employee and supporter killed in air crash
Jacob Schilt (left) played for an Albion supporters' team in a charity match in April

Brighton chairman Tony Bloom said: "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."

Manager Chris Hughton added: "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."

Mr Grimstone had worked at the club for seven years after starting as part of their matchday event team at their old Withdean Stadium.

He became an apprentice groundsman in 2013, and was later given a full-time role with the grounds team after successfully completing his apprenticeship.

Alongside Mr Grimstone, Mr Schilt was part of Worthing United's Sussex County League Division Two championship-winning team last season.

Mr Schilt also played for an Albion supporters' team in a charity match against Crystal Palace at Lewes in April.

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber said: "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 (Robert Eaton Memorial Fund) squad, during the coaching sessions we held leading up to this year's charity match against Crystal Palace," Barber added.

"As well as being a very good footballer, Jacob is a popular and impressive young man.

"It is hard to 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."

Police say 11 people are "highly likely" to have died in the incident.