Special Announcements - Saturday 21st March

03/21/20 • 7 min

With all football suspended owing to the coronavirus situation, MyAlbion TV host Richard Reynolds reads out fans' half-time announcements, just like at the Amex! If you know someone with a birthday or a special occasion coming up, simply tell us at [email protected] and make sure you include your name.

Previous Episode

Ben Roberts - Hanging Up the Gloves

Ben Roberts began his playing career with Middlesbrough, for whom he was on the losing side in two Wembley finals in 1997 - the League Cup replay and the FA Cup final. The latter, in particular, would prove difficult to take, as Ben conceded inside the first minute of the game.

Further Wembley heartache ensued in 1999 when he helped Millwall reach the final of the Football League Trophy, but again, Roberts was on the losing side.

His fortunes changed in 2004 when he was an integral part of the Albion team who gained promotion to the Championship. A club-record run of clean sheets propelled the team into the League One play-offs, and a penalty shoot-out save in the semi-final against Swindon helped book Albion's place at the Millennium Stadium. This time, in front of 30,000 ecstatic Albion fans, Ben celebrated victory in a showpiece final as Brighton overcame Bristol City.

But the persistent back problem that had hampered his entire career finally took its toll, and Roberts was forced to call time on his career at the age of 29.

After gaining a first-class honours degree at Roehampton University, Ben began his coaching career, and following spells with Yeovil and Charlton, he arrived at the Albion in 2015 to become a pivotal member of the club's backroom staff.