Tributes from Albion fans to a victim of the US terrorist attacks will be placed in a New York square that has been transformed into a shrine.

Former Sussex schoolboy and avid Albion fan Robert Eaton, 37, is believed to have been working in the World Trade Centre at the time of the attacks and is among the thousands of people feared dead.

An Albion jersey, with Robert's name on the back, a club pennant and more than 120 tributes will be taken to New York and placed in Union Square alongside other memorials.

Fellow Brighton fans will also dedicate the new giant club flag to Robert at a ceremony before the Albion's match against Bournemouth at Withdean Stadium today.

Robert was a regular contributor to the Albion fans' chatroom web site, North Stand Chat, and wrote on the internet to fellow fans the night before the disaster.

Within hours of finding out one of their members had been involved in the tragedy, fans bombarded the site with tributes and suggestions about how to honour one of their own.

The idea to take the jersey and tributes to the US was suggested by 16-year-old fan Nick Lovett, who is travelling to New York with his father today for a holiday booked before the disaster.

Nick, of Dover Road, Brighton, said: "I felt, as I was going to New York, perhaps I should take something with me from everyone who couldn't go and wanted to pass on their sentiments. Robert was a Brighton fan and will be missed by a lot of people."

Gareth Glover, who helped organise the tributes, said: "I responded to Robert's postings and emailed him in New York a few times. I never met him personally but I felt I knew him."

Gareth, 39, of Whitelot Close, Southwick, said: "The chatroom is like a little community in itself. When we found out Robert was one of the victims, everyone was devastated."

The ex-Brighton College schoolboy, who used to sing as a choirboy at St Paul's Cathedral, worked in New York as a merchant banker.

Robert's sister, Barbara, has posted her own message on the web site thanking fans for their decision to name the club flag in memory of her brother.

She wrote: "Having just read the comments regarding the flag, I would like to thank you for your kind thoughts.

"I know Robert would have been really proud."

The 64ft by 32ft flag is likely to be displayed behind the west stand at Withdean Stadium.