Non-league great has last dance at beloved Spartans

BUT DALE STILL KEEN TO KEEP PLAYING

SATURDAY’S long trip to Gloucester City may well have provided Robbie Dale with his “last dance” at Blyth Spartans – but the music is not quite ready to end just yet.

The long-serving forward, pictured left, has spent over 17 years waltzing his way beyond beleaguered defenders and producing some memorable moments at Croft Park.

After two Northern League title wins, three Northumberland Senior Cup wins and two appearances in the FA Cup third round, Dale has confirmed he will leave his beloved Spartans this summer.

The 37-year-old departs after scoring 220 goals in a club record 721 appearances with his final strike coming direct from a corner kick in Thursday’s Northumberland Senior

Cup Final win against Newcastle United Under-23s.

It is a departure from Spartans, but not necessarily the end of a career where Dale has solidified his place as one of North East non-league football’s all-time greats.

He told The Sunday Sun: “I don’t get too caught up in the emotions of the game but it was probably Monday in my last game at Croft Park where there did happen.

“The players knew, my mates knew and the club knew, but the supporters didn’t and I got asked the question after the game so that’s how they found out.

“I wanted to go out when I know I can still play at that level, I didn’t want to play too long and end up with people having a mixed opinion of me.

“I want to carry on playing, I don’t know where, but I am enjoying it and I want to keep playing as long as I can. I just don’t know where yet.”

There was something poignant about the fact Dale signed off with a goal to deliver silverware for the club he has served in every season since 2005.

Even in the closing days of his time with Spartans, the winger racked up another first as he found the net in a Senior Cup Final for the first time after eight previous appearances.

“It’s taken a while and it’s the first time I’ve felt we’ve had a chance against a Newcastle side at St James Park,” explained Dale.

“The last few years, we have been at a good level and we have been able to match them.

“They were outstanding in the second half, the way they moved, but we should have killed them off.

“But we are happy to win game.”