Football community in mourning

The ebullient but considerate pair of 20-year-olds were killed in a car accident on the A2100 south of Battle on Thursday night, last week.

United chairman Dickie Day said: "As a parent the biggest tribute I could pay is that you would be proud to call them your own. There's an old saying about not having a bad bone in your body and that can certainly be applied to them."

Brendan Cosgrove, who managed the pair from primary school age to 16 at Spartan Football Club, commented: "I feel as if I've lost my own children. Words don't describe it. To say that I'm devastated and numb would be an under-statement. It's the saddest weekend I've ever spent and I think I died a bit with them."

Wimbledon goalkeeper Lee Worgan, who played in the same Spartan team, said: "I was in tears when I heard. There's not a bad word to say about them."

James, from Battle, and Hastings-based Liam also played for Hastings & East Sussex Sunday League club Abbey whose secretary Matt Winchester said: "We are distraught with the situation. It's a tragedy for everyone at the football club."

Sidley, Westfield, whom they both represented at under-18 level, and Abbey postponed all of their fixtures during the past week as a mark of respect.

Sidley are due to return to action on Saturday November 1 when Shoreham visit Gullivers.