A FOOTBALL club will be forced to use a shirt number ‘retired’ in memory of a tragic young goalkeeper tomorrow (Saturday, August 8).

Rushden and Diamonds has not used its number one shirt after its then goalkeeper Dale Roberts, originally from Horden, east Durham, was found dead at home in Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire, in December 2010, aged 24.

An inquest into his death heard Mr Roberts, a close and long-term friend of Sunderland and former Middlesbrough star Adam Johnson, was plagued with depression and embarrassment after unsubstantiated rumours about his fiancée Lindsey Cowan’s alleged affair with Paul Terry, the brother of Chelsea captain John Terry, made national headlines.

Northamptonshire Coroner Anne Pember concluded Mr Roberts took his own life.

The Diamonds’ number one shirt was retired as a mark of respect and instead the club’s goalkeepers have since worn number 17, a move supported by the United Counties League.

However, the club, which was promoted last season, has been refused permission to continue this tradition by its new league, the Evo-Stik League Southern Division One Central, which it will enter tomorrow (Saturday, August) with a home match against Petersfield Town.

The club has appealed to the Football Association and the appeal is ongoing.

In a statement on its website, the club said: “Dale’s memory will always be cherished and respected by everyone at AFC Rushden and Diamonds.

“Updates on the progress of the appeal with the Football Association as well as any other relevant information will be provided by the club as soon as they become available.”

Jason Mills, the Evo-Stik League Southern secretary, said due to the FA appeal he was unable to make any comment on the matter.

Supporters of AFC Rushden and Diamonds have launched a petition calling on the league to reverse its decision. It can be found online at ipetitions.com/petition/petition-against-the-southern-leagues-decision

Rushden has produced just two number one shirts since retiring the jersey – one for Dale’s Bar at the club’s ground and one for Mr Roberts’ parents.

The club’s 35 other teams, including reserve and youth sides, will continue to use the numbers 13, 17, 24 and 86 for their goalkeepers.