
Worthing football club remembers players lost in airshow crash
'Our players died on their way to a match'
11 minutes ago
Share
Save
Juliette Parkin
BBC News, South East
Share
Save
Juliette Parkin
Club chairman Mark Sanderson has been volunteering for Worthing United for more than 30 years
A West Sussex football club has said the memory of two players killed in the Shoreham air crash disaster is a "very good reason to keep going".
Non-league side Worthing United FC, nicknamed the Mavericks, play in the ninth tier of the football pyramid, the Southern Combination Football League.
The club relies heavily on volunteers, including chairman Mark Sanderson, who has been giving up his own time for more than 30 years and was at the helm on the day 23-year-old players Jacob Schilt and Matthew Grimstone died.
"It was a dreadful loss... I call them my boys because that's what it's like," he said.
"You don't expect someone to lose their life on their way to a football match."
Eleven men died when a Hawker Hunter plane crashed onto the A27 in West Sussex as it carried out a stunt at the Shoreham Airshow on 22 August, 2015.
This year marks 10 years since the disaster and Worthing United said it was vital their memory was kept alive.
The main stand at the Lyons Way ground was built in memory of Jacob and Matthew with their names across it, thanks to fundraising events at the club.
Juliette Parkin
A stand at the club has been named after former players Matthew Grimstone and Jacob Schilt
Mr Sanderson said: "If you look in our clubhouse, there are pictures on the wall. Their names are everywhere, they feature in the programmes.
"With the family still coming to watch us, it's a very, very good reason to keep going and try to be successful.
"They were good footballers, the boys were good players. In tribute to them we want to try to emulate what they did. "
The families of the two players, who were 23 when they died, still attend matches and have been made lifelong vice-presidents of the club.
Juliette Parkin
Caroline Schilt and Phil Grimstone said going to matches brings them comfort
Caroline Schilt, Jacob's mother, said: "They still welcome us every time we come to matches.
"We come to support, because it just gives us some comfort and they certainly give us a lot of comfort and help."
Matthew's father, Phil Grimstone, said: "This game doesn't stand still for very long - people move on, don't they - a lot of the people here now wouldn't know them at all. But their memory lives on, very much."
Mr Sanderson also manages the ground, is often on the gate on matchdays and does any other jobs that need doing with the help of his family.
He said other volunteers were a "godsend."
'Local lads'
Mr Sanderson's daughter, Ellie, is the club welfare officer.
She said: "There have been times where it's just been me and dad, and we thought, right, what are we going to do? And thankfully, people have come forward because we can't afford to pay.
"If there weren't volunteers, we wouldn't have anyone, and then we couldn't run, and we wouldn't be here."
First team manager and club treasurer Bill Clifford said most of the players were local and had come up through the club's thriving youth section:
He said: "Our team is made up of predominantly local lads - we don't have lads from other parts of Sussex, so it really is a local team, and then their families come - it's great fun."
Worthing United finished the season seventh in Division One of the Southern Combination Football League, on 64 points.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Jake Paul leaks ‘s***-talking' private messages with Anthony Joshua goading him about being KO'd as trash talk ramps up
JAKE PAUL revealed he is goading Anthony Joshua about being knocked out - as their "s*** talking" ramps up behind the scenes. Paul audaciously called out the two-time heavyweight champion on his podcast earlier this year - vowing to knock Joshua out. 6 6 6 6 It did not take long for AJ to quite literally call the prankster-turned-prizefighter's bluff by phoning him up - but Paul countered by suggesting a 2026 fight date. And Paul has now revealed the two are already goading each other privately over social media - as all's fair in love and war. He said: "It was all nice, we've been cordial. He DMd me today like saying "LOL" to one of my training clips and then I sent him a "LOL" of of him getting knocked out. "And so I guess like we're kind of s*** talking, behind the scenes a bit. But I have a lot of love for Anthony Joshua. "I think this type of stuff is funny and he's a great guy and I think just a fight between us would be awesome and I do believe I can win." Joshua, 35, is yet to fight since being KO'd by Daniel Dubois, 27, at Wembley in September having undergone elbow surgery in May. Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed AJ hopes to return before the year is over - meanwhile Paul faces ex-middleweight world champ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on June 28. It comes after he stepped up to heavyweight in November to face Mike Tyson - who controversially made a comeback aged 58. 6 And Paul - who gorged on pasta, steaks and potatoes to bulk up - admitted the heavyweight jump was "brutal". Jake Paul reveals 'hefty' six-man hit-list of opponents for next fight including Anthony Joshua and world champ The 28-year-old added: "It was just too much and my body wasn't made for it and even when I got into the ring I just felt too fat. "So cruiserweight is definitely the perfect weight for me." Paul will come down from 16st 2lb to the 200lb cruiserweight limit of 14st 4lb to face Chavez in California. It followed after Canelo Alvarez, 34, pulled out of a shock deal to fight Paul in Las Vegas on May 3 - instead signing with Saudi Arabia's Turki Alalshikh. Canelo - who beat Chavez on points in 2017 - regained his undisputed super-middleweight titles with victory over William Scull in May. And now he defends the 168lb thrown in a September 13 super-fight against unbeaten American Terence Crawford, 37, as Paul was forced to look elsewhere. But he said: "Chavez and I have been going back and forth for a long time and he's always been a great opponent on the list of someone that I wanted to fight. "And now it made perfect sense to go up against him as a former world champion and just continuing to further my resume and get more time under the lights." Paul also revealed he is in talks to fight current cruiserweight champions Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez, 33, and Badou Jack, 41. And with Gervonta Davis, 30, also lined up for an exhibition bout - Paul says he is boxing's most desired man. He joked: I'm like like Megan Fox from Transformers movie like everyone wants me! So there's not enough time to do it all and it could make sense. Look, it might. "It might line up but at the end of the day, there's 100 people that want to fight me. I got Canelo, Gervonta, Anthony Joshua, Badou, Zurdo, Tommy Fury, KSI, the list keeps on going. "It's just about what makes sense and we'll see when the negotiations come but I would for sure entertain a fight with him." 6


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Jake Paul reveals details of new private messages with Anthony Joshua ahead of potential 2026 showdown
Jake Paul has detailed a surprising exchange with two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, further fueling speculation of a potential blockbuster showdown between the two. In a new interview, the social media star-turned-boxer opened up about a recent private exchange with the Olympic gold medalist, hinting that a clash between the two could be more than just fantasy. Speaking candidly about their behind-the-scenes banter, Paul shared details of a direct message exchange that blended friendly rivalry with light-hearted trash talk. When asked about his relationship with AJ following their phone call earlier this year, Paul said: 'It was all nice [speaking to AJ on the phone]. You know, we've been cordial. He DM'd me today, like saying 'lol' to one of my training clips, and then I sent him a 'lol' of him getting knocked out.' According to Paul, the exchange was all in good fun but highlighted a budding tension between the two stars. 'I guess we're kind of s*** talking behind the scenes a bit,' he continued. 'But I have a lot of love for Anthony Joshua. I think this type of stuff is funny, and he's a great guy.' While the Problem Child's jabs were playful, Paul didn't hold back when it came to the idea of stepping into the ring with Joshua. 'A fight between us would be awesome, and I do believe I can win.' Paul's comments regarding the DM's came just days after he admitted to Ariel Helwani that a fight between him and AJ is likely to take place in 2026. This isn't the first time Paul has teased a possible bout with Joshua. Back in early 2025, the pair reportedly had a private phone call where tensions ran higher than expected, with Joshua allegedly brushing off Paul's ambitions as a 'publicity stunt'. Paul, in turn, claimed the British heavyweight was underestimating his skills and influence. 'I know my boundaries,' he said on his podcast BS w/ Jake Paul. 'I want to fight Anthony Joshua because I know that I will f***ing beat Anthony Joshua's a***. He doesn't have a chin, and he has no skill and he's stiff. And I love you, Anthony. We're friends, all this s***, but I want to fight you.' However, before any dream matchup with Joshua can become reality, Paul must first navigate a dangerous challenge on Saturday, June 28, when he faces former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. 'The Problem Child' returns to the ring riding the momentum of last year's headline-grabbing points win over the legendary Mike Tyson. But this time, he's aiming for more than just a victory — he wants to make a statement. Standing in his way is Chavez Jr, the former WBC middleweight champion and son of boxing royalty, Julio Cesar Chavez — a revered three-division world champion and pound-for-pound great. Despite a turbulent career, Chavez Jr remains a seasoned and dangerous opponent, capable of derailing Paul's ambitions in an instant. A dominant performance against Chavez Jr would not only mitigate some of critics but also edge Paul one step closer to the mega-fights he's been chasing — names like Canelo Alvarez and Gervonta Davis — and ultimately, that audacious 2026 showdown with Joshua. For Paul, June 28 isn't just about winning. It's about proving, once again, that he belongs in the conversation — even among the sport's elite.


BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Newcastle, Spurs & Villa eye Sancho - Thursday's gossip
Premier League trio interested in Jadon Sancho, Everton and Newcastle lead Jack Grealish race, Bayer Leverkusen considering Jarell Quansah Villa, Newcastle and Tottenham are monitoring developments with Jadon Sancho, 25, after the England winger's return to Manchester United following his loan spell at Chelsea. (Sun), externalEverton and Newcastle are leading the race to sign England forward Jack Grealish, 29, from Manchester City this summer. (Football Insider), externalBayer Leverkusen are considering a move for Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, 22. (Athletic - subscription required), externalUruguay striker Darwin Nunez is likely to leave Liverpool this summer, with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal making contact about the 25-year-old this week. (Talksport), externalNunez, though, is understood to favour staying in Europe, with a move to Spain or Italy his preference. (Mirror), externalAthletic Bilbao hope to agree a pay rise and contract extension with 22-year-old Spain winger Nico Williams, to stave off interest from Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Chelsea. (Marca - in Spanish), externalWilliams has told Bayern he is open to a move to Germany and his management is in talks with the Bundesliga champions. (Sky Sports Germany), externalGermany winger Leroy Sane, 29, has rejected an offer from Al-Hilal and agreed to join Galatasaray after talks over a new contract with Bayern Munich failed. (Sky Sport Germany), externalEverton, Wolves and Fulham are eyeing a move for 32-year-old Czech Republic right-back Vladimir Coufal, who is a free agent after leaving West Ham. (Football Insider), external Nottingham Forest are rivalling Leeds and Sunderland for 31-year-old Mozambique left-back Reinildo Mandava, who is out of contract with Atletico Madrid this summer. (Teamtalk), externalReal Betis have offered a three-year deal to Dominican Republic left-back Junior Firpo, whose Leeds contract is set to expire, although the 28-year-old is also considering an offer to stay at Elland Road and another from Lyon. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), externalChelsea have put Serbia goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic up for sale, with Leeds among the clubs interested in signing the 25-year-old. (Teamtalk), externalPetrovic asked to be left out of Chelsea's Club World Cup squad so he can focus on securing a move. (Telegraph - subscription required), externalManchester City are close to reaching an agreement to sign Rosenborg's 18-year-old Norwegian midfielder Sverre Halseth Nypan. (Athletic - subscription required), externalRiver Plate's Argentina midfielder Franco Mastantuono, 17, has agreed to join Real Madrid in August. (AS - in Spanish), externalBrazil forward Rodrygo, 24, wants to stay at Real Madrid and establish himself under new coach Xabi Alonso. (Marca - in Spanish), external