FANS of Brighton and Hove Albion held a minute’s applause to celebrate the life of a teenager killed a car crash.

In the 18th minute of last night’s match against Millwall, thousands of fans applauded in memory of Alex Jackson.

The number 18 held special significance for Alex since it was the number he sported on his football strip as well as his age.

Alex was killed in car crash at the end of November near Brighton Racecourse. His girlfriend and friend were left with life-threatening injuries.

For the past ten years, Alex had been part of Albion In The Community’s Kicks project, which provides free football and other sporting opportunities for young people in deprived areas of Sussex.

Alex’s family attended after an extra two tickets were gifted to them through The Argus thanks to a generous donation.

Before the game, Chris Jackson, Alex’s grandfather, 57, said he expected there would be “a few tears” and said the applause would be “really special”.

Alex’s uncle Chris and cousin Chloe were able to attend the match thanks to the donation.

Stephen Jackson, 40, another of Alex’s uncles, said: “I don’t know what to say. It is overwhelming and really nice.

We want to thank Brighton and Hove Albion.”

The tickets were donated by Hugh Becker and his wife Deborah, who had travelled over to Brighton from Melbourne, Australia.

Mr Becker, who lived in Brighton when he was a child, said he had been an Albion supporter for 52 years.

The two tickets became available after they purchased them before realising the fixture changed from Saturday to Friday.

He said: “I think it must mean a lot of members of the family will be there and hopefully the applause will be suitable.”

Mrs Becker said she hoped the applause “offered comfort” to the family.

Alex’s family has set up a JustGiving page in his honour and to raise money for the Royal Sussex County Hospital’s intensive care unit.

Visit the site at www.justgiving.com/inmemoryofalexjackson.