Tony Roberts Set For His Testimonial...Hopes To Play in The League

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Robbo awaits big day! Newham Record 12 July 2007

DAGENHAM & Red-bridge goalkeeper Tony Roberts is gearing up for his big day this weekend when West Ham United visit Victoria Road for his testimonial, writes MIKE SIMMONDS.
A sell-out crowd is expected for the popular goalkeeper who has made 311 appearances since signing way back in July 2000.
With the Hammers snapping up Craig Bellamy this week and striker Dean Ashton expected to play a part at some stage, Roberts is relishing the challenge.
"I have been told they will bring as strong a side as they can down, so I'm looking forward to it and I hope we can get a good result," he said.
"It has taken quite a while to get it all sorted but it has been going really well.
"We have already shifted over 4,000 tickets and are quite confident of getting around 5,000 people in, which would be great to see.
"It is nice to to have all the support, but the fact it's West Ham has really helped too because there are a lot of fans who follow both teams."
Although Roberts has had his hands full with the preparation of this match, there is still the small matter of pre-season training for the former Welsh international who began his career at QPR.
"I was counting through my seasons recently and I'm now up to my 20th, which isn't bad going!" he laughed.
"Pre-season training is always quite hard but although I do most of the running, I don't have to do it all nowadays.
"In my position, it is more about power work so that is where I concentrate my efforts."
The countdown is now on for Daggers' first ever game in the Football League but there have been doubts whether Roberts will be able to take his place alongside the rest of his team-mates over the repayment of a reported £150,000 insurance pay-out he received after retiring from league football due to injury. Talks have been ongoing, but Roberts is hopeful of a conclusion sooner rather than later, adding: "I'm going to get this game out of the way first and then deal with that," he said.
With five new signings pulling on the Daggers shirt for the first time on Saturday, Roberts is excited with what he sees ahead.
"The squad is looking very good and I will say that John Still knows how to spot a player," he said.
"Every team looks to win promotion at the start of the season and we are no different.
"We're definitely not going into League Two looking to make up the numbers! Newham Record