AFC Rushden & Diamonds are delighted to be able to confirm further details of the Dale Roberts Memorial Cup event, which will take place on Sunday 14thAugust at Kiln Park Raunds. NN9 6EQ.
Before the Memorial Cup at 11am, supporters will get the chance to watch some of the area’s up and coming young footballers as Thrapston Warriors Under 12s (Managed by former Diamonds captain Chris Hope) take on Higham Colts Under 12s. Dale’s nephew Evan Roberts will also be taking part in this match.
This will be followed by the Dale Roberts Memorial Cup as AFC Rushden & Diamonds Under 18s take on Cleveland Juniors Under 18s, kick-off 1pm.
Then at 3:30pm, a Diamonds Fans and Legends match will take place between two teams comprising a mixture of former Diamonds players and fans. The former Diamonds who have confirmed that they will be taking part in the game are Stuart Wardley, Tim Wooding, Chris Hope, Andy Peaks, Darren Collins, Aidy Mann, Kevin Wilkin, Jon Brady, Shaun Carey, Mark Peters, Nick Ashby, Kevin Fox, Mickey Nuttell and James Broadbent.
It is also expected that a number of last season’s Rushden & Diamonds squad will be in attendance as spectators in order to lend their support.
The Dale Roberts Memorial Cup will be played annually at alternating venues between AFC Rushden & Diamonds Under 18s and Cleveland Juniors Under 18s and is held in honour of Dale who represented both of the teams. The Guests of honour will be George and Isabel Roberts and Dave and Sonia Johnson (parents of England International Adam Johnson who was Dale’s teammate and close friend at Cleveland Juniors). George Blake who was Dale and Adams coach will be bringing Cleveland Juniors down for this historic match.
The AFC Rushden & Diamonds Number 1 goalkeeper shirt will be officially retired and presented to the Roberts family before the Dale Roberts Memorial Cup match.
Gates open at 10.30am
Adults: £5 minimum donation (covers all 3 games)
Under 16: free
All proceeds will go to the Dale Roberts Memorial Fund
AFC Rushden % Diamonds will also be officially launching their new kit for 2011-2013. A Fun day will also be held during the day which will include:
- Beat the Keeper
- Crossbar Challenge
- Bouncy castle
- Inflatable Games
- Side Stalls
- Refreshments
- Bar
- Food and Snacks
- Prize Draw with First Prize 2 VIP Tickets to the Conference Play-off Final at Wembley on May 20th 2012 (kindly donated by Football Conference).
George and Isabel Roberts said regarding the retiring of the No1 shirt, “It is a lovely gesture not only for our family but for the fans and we would support it all the way” With regard to the Dale Roberts Memorial Cup “we will always be there as that is where our son’s heart will always be” They also added “Dale would want us to stand alongside AFC Rushden & Diamonds to get the back to where it belongs”
