ONE of the greatest footballers ever to play in this country has paid tribute to victims of the Shoreham Air Disaster.

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry sent an emotional video message to Worthing United Football Club after the club lost players Matthew Grimstone and Jacob Schilt, whose funeral will be held on Wednesday.

The Frenchman was approached by Sussex boy and Arsenal Under-18 player Charlie Gilmour, 16, and the World Cup winner said he wanted to help.

Henry said in the video message: “Hello there.

“This is actually a difficult one.

“I don’t actually know what you are going through right now, but I just wanted to let you know that our thoughts are with you and my condolences.

“All the very best with it, and much love.”

The Frenchman is Charlie’s assistant coach at Arsenal. Charlie's brother Dean, 23, plays for Worthing United.

Charlie said: “The boys were from my brother’s team and lots of them are Arsenal fans, so I thought it would be nice to get Thierry to say a couple of words.

“I asked him in the corridor at Arsenal and explained the situation to him and he was devastated and said he wanted to do whatever he could to help.

“It was a shock because it affected my brother, so I just wanted to support the boys.”

As well as the message, Henry will donate a pair of signed boots to the club, who have set up a memorial fund for the players, which has already topped £5,000.

Nigel Geary, head coach at Worthing United, said: “It's nice that such a legend like Thierry can take a minute and say some kind words for Jacob and Matt.

“It has affected everyone in the football family and to get messages like this, like the comments from John Terry and Jose Mourinho in the Chelsea programme and all the comments from clubs and people up and down the country, is amazing.

“The families appreciate it very much.”

Charlie’s father Ian Gilmour, 44, called the video message a "brilliant" gesture from Mr Henry.