A RUGBY legend in Dodworth who continued playing into his fifties died surrounded by his teammates and friends in hospital earlier this month.

Dave Roberts is a name synonymous with Dodworth rugby having originally started playing for the club in the late 1980s all the way through to 2013.

He ten played his final farewell season in the 2019/20 campaign with the newly-revived Dodworth Miners’ ARLFC and even had the opportunity to share the field with his eldest son, Henry.

After going into Rotherham Hospital with breathing complications, Dave died aged 57 surrounded by his teammates in intensive care on Monday, May 12.

Damien Blanchard, who met Dave while playing for the club, said he was the type of bloke who would do anything for those he cared about.

He told the Chronicle: “Dave left school to work at Maltby Pit as a pit worker and that was something he was really proud of.

“He had a couple of tattoos that held his memories while he worked there.

“After leaving the pit he did a degree to become a social worker and that was something else he was really proud of, not that’d he’d ever admit it.

“Years and years ago he played against Dodworth and the club spoke to him and he eventually came to play for the side.”

Dave was from Swinton but he became an adopted ‘Dodworther’ thanks to all the work he put in at the club.

“In 2005 I came back to play rugby and I became the club captain and started playing with Dave,” he said.

“We had a similar attitude on the rugby pitch and I think he respected me for that.

“We used to go out on our motorbikes at the weekend.

“We had stag do’s, weekend trips and motorbike trips to the Isle of Man.

“Mine and Dave’s friendship just grew from there.

“I hold those weekends away with Dave very close to my heart.”

Damien admits that Dave was a ‘tough bloke’ - but those who grew close to him often saw a softer side.

He added: “If I could sum Dave up it’d be that he was like Marmite - you either loved him or you didn’t.

“If you were a friend to Dave then he was a really good pal.

“H’ed have your back at any time.

“He was a tough bloke but if you knew him then he was a gentle giant.

“I thought a lot about him.”

Damien says that his friends and teammates were there for Dave when he died, and it was nice to share memories.

“He had all of his close friends around him which I thought was nice,” he added.

“We were all telling stories - laughing and crying.

“He wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”

A spokesperson for the club added: “Dave will be remembered for the years of great memories on and off the field with various playing generations at the club, never mind his wicked sense of humour.

“Dave will be sadly missed around the club.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to Dave’s family and friends at this sad time.

“Rest in peace Dave.”