Dale Roberts R.I.P

great character
By J Bateman
February 5 2003

Former Ipswich Town player and former assistant manager Dale Roberts has died at the age of 46.

Former Ipswich Town player and former assistant manager Dale Roberts has died at the age of 46.

Roberts who had a great spell at Ipswich as both a player and assistant manager sadly passed away in his sleep at his home.

David Sheepshanks led the tributes to Roberts speaking on the official website he said "My first memories of Dale were as a tough, uncompromising centre-half at the Club."

"He was unlucky to be at the Club at a time when we were spoilt for choice at centre-half with Kevin Beattie, Allan Hunter, Russell Osman and Terry Butcher all around at the same time and he eventually moved on to Hull."

"In 1995, he returned to the Club as George Burley's assistant and he was intensely loyal to George and Ipswich Town."

"His two great loves were his family and this football club. He was utterly devoted to both. It would be fair to say that Dale was blue and white from head to toe."

"I will always cherish the memory of Dale and George dancing on the Wembley pitch just after Martijn Reuser had scored our fourth goal in the Play-Off Final. The picture of that is still fresh in my mind." Sheepshanks also added

Former Town boss Bobby Robson was saddened with such terrible news he added "I knew Dale was fighting for his life but it has still come as a big shock and has left me feeling distressed and stunned."

"Dale was a Geordie lad like me and I brought him down to Ipswich from the north east along with lads like Eric Gates and David Geddis and gave him a chance in the game."

Robson also added "He was also a great character and a real competitor and someone who was very loyal."

Ipswich players will pay tribute to the sad news of his passing with wearing black armbands at tonights reserve fixture against Fulham, and there will be a minutes silence tonight and at the first team fixture against Sheff Utd on Saturday.

We here at A Funny Old Game give our deepest sympathy to Dale Roberts family and friends.

R.I.P Dale Roberts (1956 - 2003)