The Football Association has confirmed that our request for dispensation regarding our goalkeeper shirt number has been granted. This result preserves the tribute that remains so deeply significant to our club and the family of Dale Roberts. Thank you for ensuring that this tradition continues to be honored.
September 11, 2015
Final supporters
As Members and supporters of AFC Rushden & Diamonds will be aware, since its formation the Club has continued the tradition, originally established at Rushden & Diamonds FC, that the first team goalkeeper does not wear the number 1 shirt in memory of Dale Roberts.
No team representing AFC R&D at any level, of which there are a total of 36 for the 2015/16 season, has ever used the number 1 shirt and only two such shirts have been produced to this date. One of these hangs in “Dale’s Bar” at the ground and a second has been presented to Mr and Mrs Roberts, Dale’s parents.
When the Club first joined the United Counties League in 2012 and made representation to the UCL Board regarding the above issue, their response was one of compassion and understanding. A small alteration was subsequently made to the wording of the League rule relating to player numbers which allowed the starting AFC R&D goalkeeper to wear the number 17 shirt. AFC Rushden & Diamonds would like to place on record our sincere thanks to the United Counties League for their support in this matter.
Following promotion to the Evo-Stik League Southern Division One Central, the Club made a request to the Southern League Board to provide similar special dispensation for the starting goalkeeper to wear the number 17. This request was denied.
AFC Rushden & Diamonds has subsequently made an appeal against this decision to the Football Association which, at the time of writing, has not been concluded.
Updates
Reached 2,500 supporters
August 8, 2015
August 8, 2015
The response from our community confirms that this tradition is deeply rooted in our identity. While we wait for the outcome of our appeal to the Football Association, I am grateful for the ongoing recognition of why we honor this memory. Your steady focus on this issue provides the necessary perspective as we navigate these formal processes.
Reached 1,000 supporters
August 7, 2015
Reached 100 supporters
August 7, 2015
August 7, 2015
Reaching one hundred signatures will provide a clear indication of how many people value this club tradition. Please consider sending this link to someone who understands why we must preserve the memory of Dale Roberts.
August 6, 2015
The momentum behind this appeal shows how deeply the memory of Dale Roberts is held within our community. Reaching the thousand signature mark will provide the necessary weight to our case as we present it to the Football Association. Please take a moment to pass this along to others so we can reach that threshold today.
1,638 Comments
I'm Dales mam not surprised at the fans at Rushdons response at this news our Dale is well thought of and his spirit will always be there if I had known I would have been down to match today all the best for today's game loss of love Isabel x
I had the pleasure to work with Dale for one season, and if what is called our beautiful game , cannot recognise his clubs wishes as a show of respect for Dale and his family , then it's a sad day for our beautiful game !!! Forever in my thoughts
Do you league officials have no compassion whatsoever? A number on a players shirt means nothing to you, yet to us is a memory of a young, talented goalkeeper who was taken far too early in life. I hope for your own peace of mind you reconsider.
What difference does a shirt number make to the League? None. What difference does it make to the fans of the club and family of Roberts? A lot. This is an opportunity for the FA to prove they're interests lie with fans, not pointless rules.
I support AFC Wimbledon, and we were in the same league as R&D when Dale Roberts died. I remember well how hard it hit the Rushden supporters at the time. This is a ridiculous ruling, and one I suspect the Football or National Leagues would not enforce.
I am making a good salary from home $4580-$5240/week , which is amazing under a year ago I was jobless in a horrible economy. I thank God every day I was blessed with these instructions and now its my duty to pay it forward and share it with Everyone, . Follow Here ……..…Www.PayAtHome1.Com
I get paid over (90$ to 500$ / hour ) working from home with 2 kids at home. I never thought I would be able to do it but my best friend earns over $22000 a month doing this and she convinced me to try. it was all true and has totally changed my life... This is what I do, check it out by Visiting Following web.... . HERE——————————————⊃⫸ www.work27.info
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The Football Association has confirmed that our request for dispensation regarding our goalkeeper shirt number has been granted. This result preserves the tribute that remains so deeply significant to our club and the family of Dale Roberts. Thank you for ensuring that this tradition continues to be honored.
September 11, 2015
Final supporters
As Members and supporters of AFC Rushden & Diamonds will be aware, since its formation the Club has continued the tradition, originally established at Rushden & Diamonds FC, that the first team goalkeeper does not wear the number 1 shirt in memory of Dale Roberts.
No team representing AFC R&D at any level, of which there are a total of 36 for the 2015/16 season, has ever used the number 1 shirt and only two such shirts have been produced to this date. One of these hangs in “Dale’s Bar” at the ground and a second has been presented to Mr and Mrs Roberts, Dale’s parents.
When the Club first joined the United Counties League in 2012 and made representation to the UCL Board regarding the above issue, their response was one of compassion and understanding. A small alteration was subsequently made to the wording of the League rule relating to player numbers which allowed the starting AFC R&D goalkeeper to wear the number 17 shirt. AFC Rushden & Diamonds would like to place on record our sincere thanks to the United Counties League for their support in this matter.
Following promotion to the Evo-Stik League Southern Division One Central, the Club made a request to the Southern League Board to provide similar special dispensation for the starting goalkeeper to wear the number 17. This request was denied.
AFC Rushden & Diamonds has subsequently made an appeal against this decision to the Football Association which, at the time of writing, has not been concluded.
Updates
Reached 2,500 supporters
August 8, 2015
August 8, 2015
The response from our community confirms that this tradition is deeply rooted in our identity. While we wait for the outcome of our appeal to the Football Association, I am grateful for the ongoing recognition of why we honor this memory. Your steady focus on this issue provides the necessary perspective as we navigate these formal processes.
Reached 1,000 supporters
August 7, 2015
Reached 100 supporters
August 7, 2015
August 7, 2015
Reaching one hundred signatures will provide a clear indication of how many people value this club tradition. Please consider sending this link to someone who understands why we must preserve the memory of Dale Roberts.
August 6, 2015
The momentum behind this appeal shows how deeply the memory of Dale Roberts is held within our community. Reaching the thousand signature mark will provide the necessary weight to our case as we present it to the Football Association. Please take a moment to pass this along to others so we can reach that threshold today.
1,638 Comments
Clubs should be allowed to retire a number at anytime. Most league rules state that all match shirts should have a number on the shirt it doesn't stipulate a goalkeeper must wear a number 1 shirt!! Good Luck Dennis Chairman AFC Wimbledon Ladies & Girls
I'm Dales mam not surprised at the fans at Rushdons response at this news our Dale is well thought of and his spirit will always be there if I had known I would have been down to match today all the best for today's game loss of love Isabel x
I had the pleasure to work with Dale for one season, and if what is called our beautiful game , cannot recognise his clubs wishes as a show of respect for Dale and his family , then it's a sad day for our beautiful game !!! Forever in my thoughts
Do you league officials have no compassion whatsoever? A number on a players shirt means nothing to you, yet to us is a memory of a young, talented goalkeeper who was taken far too early in life. I hope for your own peace of mind you reconsider.
What difference does a shirt number make to the League? None. What difference does it make to the fans of the club and family of Roberts? A lot. This is an opportunity for the FA to prove they're interests lie with fans, not pointless rules.
I support AFC Wimbledon, and we were in the same league as R&D when Dale Roberts died. I remember well how hard it hit the Rushden supporters at the time. This is a ridiculous ruling, and one I suspect the Football or National Leagues would not enforce.
I am making a good salary from home $4580-$5240/week , which is amazing under a year ago I was jobless in a horrible economy. I thank God every day I was blessed with these instructions and now its my duty to pay it forward and share it with Everyone, . Follow Here ……..…Www.PayAtHome1.Com
I get paid over (90$ to 500$ / hour ) working from home with 2 kids at home. I never thought I would be able to do it but my best friend earns over $22000 a month doing this and she convinced me to try. it was all true and has totally changed my life... This is what I do, check it out by Visiting Following web.... . HERE——————————————⊃⫸ www.work27.info
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Clubs should be allowed to retire a number at anytime. Most league rules state that all match shirts should have a number on the shirt it doesn't stipulate a goalkeeper must wear a number 1 shirt!! Good Luck Dennis Chairman AFC Wimbledon Ladies & Girls