Daggers stopper quits and joins Arsenal full-time as coach

Dagenham & Redbridge’s record appearance maker Tony Roberts has announced his retirement with immediate effect.

The Welsh international goalkeeper had split his time between playing commitments at Victoria Road and coaching the first team goalkeepers at Premier League giants Arsenal.

The 41-year-old signed a new one year deal at the end of last season and expected to continue playing for Daggers in League Two, but the Gunners were keen for Roberts to join them full-time.

Daggers manager John Still, who immediately swooped for Arsenal stopper James Shea on a season-long loan, paid tribute to the departing Welshman.

“He’s been a stalwart for this club, he’s been absolutely fantastic,” said Still. “He’s a player who I think will be remembered for a long, long time by the supporters of this club and I can’t pay him a high enough accolade in saying that he’s been a fantastic goalkeeper, a fantastic servant and a fantastic person.”