Tributes paid to Rushden & Diamonds footballer

15 December 2010, 16:10 | Updated: 15 December 2010, 17:55

A steady stream of fans have been leaving flowers and tributes today (Wednesday December 15th) for a professional footballer who's died unexpectedly.

24 year old Dale Roberts played in goal for Rushden and Diamonds. He joined the team in January 2009 after coming from Nottingham Forest.

Northamptonshire police say his body was found at his home address in Higham Ferrers yesterday.

In a statement the club said:

"It is with great sadness that this afternoon (Tuesday December 14th) our England-C goalkeeper Dale Roberts passed away, our thoughts and prayers at this time go to his parents, family and friends."

Rushden's game against Eastwood Town was cancelled last night following the announcement and this Saturday's match against Eastbourne Borough has been postponed to a later date.

Matthew Banyard is from the club. He told Heart:

"He always had time to talk to you; whether you are a footballer, whether you are a manager, whether you clean the toilets out, whatever you did he always had time to talk to you. He always took an interest in what was going on, in footballs and around the club. He was a really pleasant, chatty, nice guy."

Mark Dimmock and his family were at the club's grounds earlier today:

"Dale was a tremendous servant of this club for a number of years and he was a tremendous rapport with his fans. Though I think flowers and a card it cant really pay any serious respect so we felt we have to do something to honour his memory and let his family know that we are al thinking of him at this time."

Officers says the death is not being treated as suspicious.