
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


Reuters
23 minutes ago
- Reuters
Red Bull's Lindblad granted F1 licence ahead of 18th birthday
LONDON, June 10 (Reuters) - Formula One's governing body has granted Red Bull junior driver Arvid Lindblad a super licence ahead of his 18th birthday in August after the team requested a dispensation. Formula One rules say drivers must be over 18, a measure introduced after Red Bull's now four-times world champion Max Verstappen was signed by Toro Rosso at 16 and made his race debut at 17 in 2015. Lindblad, born in Britain to a Swedish father and mother of Indian heritage, is seen as a hot prospect and the exemption will allow him to take part in F1 practice ahead of the August break. He has been tipped for an eventual seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull's Italy-based sister team who currently have Frenchman Isack Hadjar and New Zealand's Liam Lawson. Hadjar has impressed in his rookie season, with speculation he could be next to move up to the senior team alongside Verstappen if Yuki Tsunoda is not retained. Verstappen is also only a penalty point away from a one-race ban, meaning Red Bull need to be prepared to shuffle around drivers. Lindblad, third overall in the Formula Two championship, already has enough points for a super licence with age his only barrier. The governing FIA's World Motor Sport Council, granting the request at a meeting in Macau, said Lindblad had "recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition". Mercedes were in a similar position with Kimi Antonelli last year but waited until he was 18, also in August, before giving him a practice debut. The Italian this season took the seat vacated by seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton.


BBC News
25 minutes ago
- BBC News
Bellingham joins Dortmund on five-year contract
Jobe Bellingham has joined Borussia Dortmund from Sunderland on a five-year contract until June 2030. The 19-year-old midfielder has played for the Black Cats since 2023, making 90 appearances, and helped them secure promotion to the Premier League last season. Bellingham began his career at Birmingham City, coming through the academy before playing two years of senior football for the a statement, Bellingham said he is proud of the "strong" relationship he has with Sunderland supporters. "I will always represent Wearside in all that I strive to achieve for the rest of my career, wherever that may be," he said. More to follow.


The Sun
39 minutes ago
- The Sun
Jobe Bellingham joins Borussia Dortmund from Sunderland in club record £26.9million deal as he pens emotional farewell
BORUSSIA DORTMUND have announced the signing of Jobe Bellingham in a £26.9million deal from Sunderland. The Bundesliga club have confirmed the arrival of Bellingham, 19, who follows in the footsteps of superstar brother Jude. Bellingham joins Dortmund on a five-year deal running until 2030 after helping guide Sunderland to the Premier League last season. The teenager will wear number 77 for his new club, sporting his first name 'Jobe' on the rear of his shirt to avoid the weight of his surname. Bellingham has signed in time to participate in the Club World Cup for the German giants - who face Brazilian side Fluminense in their opening clash next Tuesday. The midfielder, who came through the ranks academy at Birmingham City like his brother, has impressed earned his switch off the back of two strong seasons at Sunderland. He managed four goals and three assists as the Black Cats finished fourth in the Championship, ultimately being promoted via the play-off final. Bellingham penned an emotional goodbye to the Sunderland fans in an open letter on his Instagram. It read: "Dear Sunderland, it's time for me to say farewell to all the loyal people of Sunderland, who have powered me through two incredible years in Red and White. "Your support, on so many occasions, has completely blown me away, especially in the times of adversity which we pulled through together. "You welcomed me with open arms as a kid leaving home for the first time, and I am proud that our relationship has grown to be so strong ever since. "Your support for the team and I since I arrived at your beloved club was unwavering, and for that I am forever indebted to you as people and supporters. "I will always represent Wearside in all that I strive to achieve for the rest of my career, wherever that may be. "I hope that I have made you proud along the way, and in return you have made me the player that has reached the heights I find myself at today. So thank you. "I will love and remember you fondly for the rest of my life, from the bottom of my heart. "I tried to embody the passion you have for the city on the football pitch and I'm so incredibly delighted that our journey came to an end with a victory at Wembley to restore the club in its rightful place. "To the staff, players & most importantly the supporters thank you so much & good luck for the future. "Jobe, Adopted Mackem."