Worthing United have confirmed their first match since the deaths of the players Matt Grimstone and Jacob Schilt in the Shoreham air crash will take place on Sunday 6 September, a day later than originally planned.
Worthing were due to play East Preston in the FA Vase on the Saturday but the non-league side have postponed the fixture by 24 hours to allow for a large attendance of supporters wishing to pay their respects.
The Worthing manager, Nigel Geary, said: “It’s been difficult to think about football at all this week but having discussed this at length with the players and others at the club, this feels like the right thing for us to do.
“With this in mind we felt it only right to move the game to the Sunday evening to enable many of the footballers who played with or against Matt and Jacob, on Saturdays and Sundays, to attend the game.”
Worthing are anticipating a sell-out crowd at Lyons Way and all proceeds will be used to fund a permanent tribute in honour of Grimstone and Schilt, in consultation with both families.
The Worthing vice-chairman, Mark Sanderson, added: “Everyone at the club feels that both Matt and Jacob would be in support of this, and we will aim to do them proud.
“We have been helped by so many within the football family in order to stage this game, which was always going to be of significant interest to many local people; it will undoubtedly be the biggest game in the club’s history, sadly for such tragic reasons.
“East Preston and the FA have been very kind in allowing us to change the kick-off to the Sunday, and we would like to place on record our thanks to them, and also to East Preston who’ve waived their share of the gate receipts.
“I am sure it will be a fitting tribute to both men to see the ground full for the first time in Worthing United’s history to honour Matt and Jacob.”
