Clubs offer tributes to Roberts

Last updated : 15 December 2010 By BBC Sport

The former clubs of Dale Roberts have been paying their respects after the 24-year-old goalkeeper died on Tuesday.Roberts, who started his career at Nottingham Forest, had loan spells with Eastwood Town and Alfreton Town before joining Rushden & Diamonds in 2009.

"Our thoughts and prayers at this time go to his parents, family and friends," said Diamonds chairman Gary Calder.

An Eastwood statement added: "He was only with us a short time but made a big impression."

It continued: "All at Eastwood Town send their sincere condolences to Dale's family, friends and colleagues."

Alfreton described his 47-game loan spell from Nottingham Forest in the 2006-07 campaign as "hugely impressive" and the Derbyshire club also passed on its condolences to Dale's family and friends.

County Durham-born Dale was a member of the Sunderland and Middlesbrough academies before signing professional terms with Forest.

He played 12 times for Eastwood during a loan move in March 2006, and helped the club win the Notts Senior Cup that year.

The whole of the next campaign was spent at Alfreton before two separate loan spells with Rushden led to a permanent switch in January 2009.

In total he made 91 appearances for Diamonds and was voted the England C player of the season in 2009-10 after becoming an international regular last year.

Nene Park will be open on Wednesday for fans to pay their respects and the FA Youth Cup tie at Hull on the same night has been postponed.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport