Robert Eaton Memorial Match 2014 – Highlights

Every year fans of the Albion and Crystal Palace take part in the Robert Eaton Memorial Match at Lewes FC’s Dripping Pan.

Seagulls fan Robert Eaton was killed on September 11th 2001 on the 105th floor of the World Trade Centre when the devastating terrorist attack took place.

Since that fateful day, support groups for Albion and close rivals Crystal Palace compete to raise money for the REMF, which supports grassroots football all over the world.

Tony Langridge is Chairman of the REMF and told us just how far the money goes, he said: “We’ve gone global in quite a big fashion — we’ve supported in the states, in Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Mali.

In the last three years we’ve probably donated close to about £80,000. But the fund is going from strength to strength.”

Thirteen years have passed since Robert died, but for his father, Doug, time is irrelevant. “Although it seems a long time since the incident happened, it’s always very fresh in our own minds and time doesn’t enter into it.”

Heading into the game, Brighton had the edge overall (8-4 since the fund was established) and enjoyed victory last year. After a closely contested 90 minutes, a 1-1 draw meant penalties would settle the matter and Palace emerged victorious.

So bragging rights go to the Eagles ,that is, until next year…