Petition launched in protest at charge for Rushden & Diamonds

AFC Rushden & Diamonds are facing disciplinary action from the Southern League after refusing to use a shirt number they retired following the death of a player.

The Division One Central club, formed by supporters in 2011 following the demise of the original team, never use the number one shirt number as a tribute to goalkeeper Dale Roberts, who took his own life in 2010.

All 36 of the club’s representative teams, across several age groups, use number 13 or 17 for their goalkeepers and only two number one jerseys have ever been printed by the club – one of which hangs in the clubhouse and one which was presented to the late player’s parents.

But Southern League rules insist teams only use numbers one to 11 for their starting line-up, and Rushden were denied permission to use 17 despite a written application.

The club will attend a Football Association appeal at Wembley on Wednesday, a meeting which will also be attended by representatives from the Southern League, in a bid to reverse the decision.

Goalkeeper Matt Findlay subsequently wore a number 17 jersey in the Diamonds’  1-1 draw with Petersfield Town on Saturday and their Tuesday night draw with St Ives and were reported by the match referee on both occasions.

At the first game, supporters collected money to go towards any fine the club may receive for the decision, and an online petition has been signed by more than 3,700 people.

The United Counties League, from which Rushden were promoted last season, altered their rules to allow the team to use number 17 for their starting goalkeeper on grounds of ‘compassion and understanding’.

Several Premier League clubs have retired shirt numbers, notably West Ham United with Bobby Moore’s number six and Manchester City with Marc-Vivien Foe’s 23.