THE funeral date of a young goalkeeper found dead was announced today.

A service for Rushden and Diamonds player Dale Roberts will take place at St Mary's Church in his home village of Horden, County Durham, on January 4.

His club have also announced there will be one minute of applause in his memory before their Blue Square Premier fixture against Luton Town on Boxing Day.

Mr Roberts was found dead at his home in Higham Ferrers, Rushden, Northamptonshire, on December 14.

An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned by Northamptonshire deputy coroner Rodney Haig at Kettering Magistrates' Court, police said.

A spokeswoman said the cause of death was given as asphyxia.

Northamptonshire Police previously said the Rushden and Diamonds goalkeeper's death is not being treated as suspicious.