As Matthew Grimstone and Jacob Schilt set off down the A27 in West Sussex on Saturday, the Worthing United footballers were likely thinking only of their match against Loxwood. But on Sunday, their friends and family were mourning the untimely death of the non-league players, who were killed when a vintage Hawker Hunter jet plummeted from the sky while attempting a loop manoeuvre at the Shoreham airshow and hit the road.
Crowds in the seaside town gathered to comfort each other at a special church service on Sunday as it emerged that Matt Jones, 24, from Littlehampton, was among the victims. In a message thanking those who sent messages of support, his sister called him the “best son, brother and uncle”.
A motorcyclist, the driver of a vintage wedding limousine and two cyclists are also feared to be among the dead. As the grim task of sifting through the wreckage continued, police said they believe at least 11 people died and that it is possible that more victims could yet be identified.
Family and friends have paid tribute to their loved ones, including Grimstone, a goalkeeper known to his friends as “Grimbles”, and midfielder Schilt, both 23. Grimstone’s family said they were in “total shock”. His parents, Sue and Phil, and brothers, David and Paul, from Brighton, paid an emotional tribute to him in a statement: “He was the kindest person you could ever meet with a great wit. In his 23 years, we can honestly say he never lost his temper.
“Matt has been taken from us at just 23 and we still think he is going to walk through the front door any minute now. Our family wish deepest sympathy to the family of Jacob Schilt, who was travelling to Worthing with Matthew for Saturday’s game, also the families of the other victims.”
Matt Jones had recently returned from travelling in India and Australia, and had just celebrated passing his level three practical exam to become a personal trainer. His sister Becky confirmed he had been killed on Facebook. She tried to call him after hearing that the jet had crashed into the dual carriageway, but he did not answer.
She had thought he was safe after a friend claimed to have seen him on the beach, but later learned he had been involved in the incident. Becky wrote: “We have been overwhelmed with hundreds of messages, I can’t possibly reply to everyone, so thank you.
“We are just in absolute shock still and devastated that this has happened to us. We love Matt more than anything. He was the best son, brother and uncle to my girls. Words can’t describe what we are all going through. Thank you everyone who has tried to help.”
Bouquets of flowers were left in the front garden of the Jones family home. Attached to one was a card that read “shine bright like a diamond”, while another had a note saying “some things will never be the same again”.
Team-mates and friends of the two footballers paid tribute to “two absolute gents”. Worthing United called them “essential members” of the club.
RIP Jacob Shilts & Matthew Grimstone-two absolute gents, taken away from us so early in life you will never be forgotten!! Love you boys
— Dean Gilmour (@Gaffers9) August 23, 2015
Devastated to have lost 2 team mates and wonderful Ppl it was a privilege to share a pitch with you. My Heart goes out to your families RIP
— Markiovelli (@markiovelli) August 23, 2015
An emotional 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 was also 23 years of age, small in stature and a tenacious midfielder, also very skilful, with an eye for goal. The pair had both been essential members of the squad, helping them win the double last season and making it the club’s most successful on record.
“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. 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 friends of Matt and Jacob.”
A minute’s silence honouring the victims of the crash was held at Brighton & Hove Albion’s stadium, where Grimstone had been part of the ground staff for the past seven years. Schilt had played alongside Grimstone in a Brighton supporters’ team for a Robert Eaton Memorial Fund (REMF) match against Crystal Palace at Lewes in April.
A minute's silence has been impeccably observed here at Thamesmead following the Shoreham air crash yesterday.
— BHAWFC (@OfficialBHAWFC) August 23, 2015
Chris Hughton, the Brighton manager, 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.”
Paul Barber, the club’s chief executive, 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 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.”
