Brighton and Hove Albion are asking all supporters coming to Saturday’s match against Hull City to arrive early and be in their seats by 2.30pm as the club joins together to pay tribute to Matt Grimstone and Jacob Schilt, who died in the Shoreham airshow disaster.
At the request of the Grimstone and Schilt families there will be a minute’s applause immediately before kick-off. Before that the club will be paying tributes to Matt and Jacob.
Soprano Donna-Marie Hughes will sing Abide With Me before the teams come out.
Representatives of the ambulance, fire and police services, St John Ambulance and the A&E departments at Brighton and Worthing hospitals will be pitchside. The crowd will be asked to show their appreciation for the job that they continue to do in the aftermath of the crash.
Donna-Marie Hughes will also sing Albion’s anthem, Sussex by the Sea, as the teams emerge. At this point, supporters in the east stand lower are asked to raise the placards they will find placed on their seats.
Once the players are on the pitch, the crowd is asked to join Matt and Jacob’s families and friends, both teams and representatives from Blackburn Rovers – Albion’s opponents on Saturday 22 August – in the minute’s applause.
Chris Hughton and Steve Bruce will each lay flowers on behalf the two clubs and their supporters – with Hull City’s Supporters’ Club bringing their floral tribute.
During the minute’s applause members of Worthing United and the Robert Eaton Memorial Fund football team will hold two giant shirts in honour of Matt and Jacob. They will be joined on the pitch by Matt’s Albion work colleagues, along with 11 fans, each holding a candle and flowers – kindly donated by Flowers Unlimited – in respect of all 11 men who lost their lives that day.
Fans can write their own messages of condolence on the two shirts before kick-off between 12.30pm and 2pm at the bandstand opposite the club store.
Those wishing to attend the match can still book tickets. Prices start from just £30 for adults and £5 for under-10s. To book tickets visit seagullstickets.com or call 0844 327 1901. The club will be making a donation, from match receipts and the proceeds from a special tribute programme, to a fund for the families of the victims.
