Tuesday 14th December 2010

[Formic]

Although today is only 13th December, with it being a Tuesday evening it brings back so many memories of the night we found out the tragic news about Dale.

It was the night of the FA Trophy replay at Eastwood, and I’d travelled up quite early as I’d hadn’t been there before, and had stopped off at a local retail park when I got the first call from Matt Banyard, asking me to put an article on the website saying the game had been called off, but that he couldn’t tell me more. He’d been travelling up too, and had pulled over on hearing the news, but couldn’t get an internet connection.

After ringing / texting others I knew might be en-route, I then went to the ground, where people began to arrive only to hear the game was off due to unforeseen circumstances – and although we quickly deduced it was something very serious as the club couldn’t tell us the reasons, we had to set off back south without knowing, only to hear the dreadful news some time later.

It seemed very dark that night, and I think it was wet and windy rather like tonight, and it’s still difficult to believe what happened that day, with Dale being missed as much now as he was then.

[DiamondCarvell]

it seems very weird how i remember that day perfectly, unfortunately.. R.I.P Dale

[Bob's Bitch]

I saw that the game was off and there was a bit of speculation on here and I went away to eat and came back to see the confirmed news. It only really hit me on the Wednesday and Thursday when I was going through both days willing myself not to cry. Just so horrible.

[STAGMAN]

I was at Rushden windmill when the wife recieved a phone call saying that Dale Roberts had died, we said no you have it wrong its Doug Roberts ( rachel had buried her husband that day) but of course it was Dale . We thought the person phoning had got the wrong end of the stick, but alas

[BartonRaz]

I was out for Christmas dinner with some University friends that night after we'd all handed in a load of work. One of the people I was out with was also a Diamonds fan.

I remember looking on my phone between courses, possibly to check the game was still on although I can't remember if it was ever in doubt, and seeing that it was called off under strange circumstances which left me wondering. I think we all knew at that point something had happened but would never have guessed what was about to unfold.

I kept refreshing the OS and sure enough there it was. Safe to say that meal was ruined.

We didn't know it was suicide at the time, or at least the vast majority of us didn't. The hardest part was taking my Dad to Nene Park. Can't remember ever seeing him cry but he was definitely on the brink.

Got a lump in my throat even putting this into words. Safe to say i'll never forget where I was when I found out.

[Rankine's Nose]

It was horrible finding out. I was also out having dinner with some uni mates and got a text halfway through. Couldn't believe it. We went for a night out afterwards but I left early on. Came back sometime after midnight to read all the comments on here and that pushed me over the edge.

Still can't believe it, really. It all came rushing back after Gary Speed passed away, too. In both cases nobody seemed to see it coming at all. What an absolute tragedy. RIP Dale.

[Bob's Bitch]

I couldn't actually bring myself to go to Nene Park after seeing that picture of the PDB goal draped in scarves, shirts and flowers. I just knew I'd break down and that picture for me really brought it home, it was cold and dark and so sad and you could see how many people loved him just by looking at it.

[Pigman]

Sad, sad memories :(

I was at the Pride in Bedford awards dinner when I found out, Bobos sent me a text, I just couldn't believe it.

I did venture down to NP to sign the book of condolence and pay my respects, it was so cold that day, I stood and chatted to Matt B for a bit, neither of us could find the words to express what we were feeling. I stood on the PDB for a while all alone with my thoughts, I felt incredibly sad - such a waste of not just a talented young player, but a lovely fella.

My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

[supersub]

Just three words from me, so desperately sad

[bedforddiamond]

I too had been to Doug Roberts funeral that day and went back to Nene Park in the afternoon. Getting home to hear the news later that evening that Dale had taken his own life only added to my sadness.

I spoke to a couple of the youth team players that evening and arranged to take Adam Sharpe to the club the following morning to pay our respects and visit the PDB terrace and the goal mouth that later became a shrine to Dale. I can remember how cold it felt around the ground that day, sure the weather was cold but the moment brought a further chill as we stood alone, silent with our thoughts.

Nene Park was so much part of my life and that's why I can't believe it ended the way it did, but at least I know whatever happens there's one man in heaven that will always be looking down with his own memories, that nobody can take away!