A PERMANENT memorial to two of the victims of the Shoreham Airshow disaster has been unveiled.

A memorial stand named after Worthing United players Matthew Grimstone and Jacob Schilt who were both killed in the tragedy in August 2015 has been built at the club in Lyons Way, Worthing.

Officially opening the stand yesterday, Jacob’s mother Caroline and father Bob said the support of the club had helped them in their grief.

Mrs Schilt said: “It just shows how much everybody cares about the boys.”

Jacob and Matt’s team-mates, many of whom have now retired, returned to the ground to play a match in their honour against Heartbeat United, who held a word record breaking 108 hour long game to raise fund for the stand last year.

Mrs Schilt said: “It means so much to us that so many of the players wanted to come back. They were the team who were waiting that day, waiting to play with them. They lost two of their team-mates and two of their friends.

“We are very touched that it meant that much to them.

“It’s hard to be here but we wanted to come. We miss Jacob every day wherever we are. The club has given us so much support.”

Club chairman Steve Taylor said the tragedy in August 2015, which claimed the lives of 11 men when a Hawker Hunter plane crashed onto the A27 during a loop the loop, had “brought them all together”.

He added: “We were surprised how many football clubs reached out to us as part of a football family. We are a small club but we’ve had so much support, especially from Brighton and Hove Albion.

“This is the team Matt and Jacob played with. These guys went through a lot.

“With the new stand it will give us something to always remember them by.”

A number of other traditions at the club have been inspired by the two players’ deaths.

Matt and Jacob’s shirt numbers – one and 11 – are no longer used and the team take their kit to away games for good luck.

Heartbeat United raised £30,000 towards the stand during the world record last May.

The funds, and support from club sponsor Peter Saywell, meant that the bespoke stand could be created in the players’ honour.

It has been specially designed so it can be moved if the club relocates or expands.