Signed from Ryman Premier League St Albans City in 2000, Tony Roberts has been an unmovable figure in the Daggers goal throughout the noughties. But things could have panned out so different. A career-threatening hand injury sustained whilst playing for Millwall in 1998 forced the Welsh international into retiring from the professional game at just 29.
Accepting an insurance pay out, Robbo probably consigned himself to never taking part in a football league match again, but at the age of 38 that dream finally came true as he took his place between the sticks for the Daggers at Stockport County on August 11 2007. Only a late goal from substitute Liam Dickinson ruined his return. Since then Robbo has proved his worth as arguably the finest goalkeeper in the fourth tier of English football.
Prior to Roberts’ arrival in 2000, Paul Newell wore the number one jersey during the 1999-2000 Ryman Premier League winning season. Paul’s contribution was significant; his reputation enhanced by one of the finest back four’s in the club’s history. It was perhaps then a surprise that Garry Hill opted to relinquish Newell of his goalkeeping duties at the end of this sensational campaign.
But Newell’s departure paved the way for Roberts’ reign. Any successful team requires a top goalkeeper, and the Daggers success in recent years has depended in no small part to Robbo. His absence from the team, either through injury or suspension, provides a painful reminder of the void he will leave when he eventually hangs up his gloves.
When Paul Gothard made a popular return to play second fiddle to Robbo, it did finally appear that we had some depth in this area of the squad. But how do you keep a good ‘keeper happy if he’s just sitting on the bench waiting for his chance? Goths soon emigrated and is now playing for Auckland City in New Zealand. We’ve since had the likes of Naisbitt, Hogan, Thompson and now Lewington all challenge for the number 1 spot, to no avail.
Robbo has also been a tremendous hit with the fans, both home and away. Very rarely will you hear a bad word said against Tony at matches or through internet forums. Sure, he’ll rile opposing supporters with his competitive zeal, but equally he’ll take any verbal abuse he receives on the chin. Most of the time, Robbo’s applause towards rival fans at the end of matches will be reciprocated. He’s a big personality and the game needs more of them.
Despite being a Legends piece, we (try) to be objective here at 9-men.co.uk, and it would be fair to say that Robbo’s had one or two memorable wobbles over the years. A failed attempt to dribble past an opponent resulted in a soft Morecambe goal in a thrilling 3-2 victory for the Daggers in 2001. Yet even calamitous moments such as this, as well as being lobbed from almost 40 yards in a Conference game against Southport in 2000, would only bring a brief murmur of discontent from supporters, such has been his lasting positive impact at the club.
Forever the centre of attention, it is perhaps fitting to finish on some FA Cup trivia, a competition where Robbo has certainly left his mark. Not only is he the only ‘keeper to score an FA Cup goal in the competition’s 128-year history, but he is the only goalie to have been sent off in the opposition box after locking horns with Peter Clarke at Southend in January 2008. I doubt any goalkeeper will ever replicate that feat!
