Albion players wore black armbands at the Boxing Day match against Gillingham to pay tribute to a schoolboy soccer fan killed in a road crash.

Twelve-year-old Richard Zaft was a keen Albion fan who had met players and football management at the junior supporters Christmas party the night before he died.

He loved the Seagulls and donated his pocket money to the club's Live and Kicking Fund as well as helping with fund-raising activities.

The players wore black armbands in yesterday's 2-1 victory over Gillingham at Withdean in memory of their young fan.

An announcement about Richard's death and his contribution to the club during his short life was made at the game.

Richard, died after being hit by a car near his home last Tuesday.

Paramedics fought to save Richard, who died close to a zebra crossing on the busy A27 at Lancing, near the family home in Penhill Road.

Floral tributes still mark the spot.

The day before the accident he had told his parents about meeting the Albion players at the Junior Seagulls Christmas Party at the Triangle Centre in Burgess Hill.

When manager Mark McGhee was told about the young fan's devotion to the club via soccer writer and broadcaster, Ian Hart, who runs his own funeral firm in Worthing, Mark showed his softer side and immediately made arrangements to visit the family at their home.

He visited the family on Christmas Eve, putting aside his own preparations, to offer his condolences to Richard's family.

Club press officer Paul Camillin said: "Mark was very saddened to hear about Richard's death, especially as he has brought up a young family himself."

Mr Hart said: "They were all looking forward to a family Christmas and this happened.

"Mark McGhee was told about what had happened at midday on Friday and within a couple of hours had gone round to see the family.

"He knew as a father how he would have felt."

The funeral will be on Thursday at St James the Less Church, North Lancing at 1.30pm.