THE SUMMER holidays have only just begun for Daggers goalkeeper Tony Roberts and striker Junior McDougald after the pair took part in the Unibond Four Nations Trophy.

McDougald was honoured to have been called up for England after being pulled out of the previous semi pro fixture against America, owing to being involved in Dagenham's title race.

He said: "It's nice to get more caps. I played against Holland last year but then missed the America game. I would have like to have played in that having been born in Texas, but at the time, the priority was going for promotion with Dagenham.

"It's a privilege and a blessing to play for your country, even though I felt I didn't do myself justice because of a slight injury."

In the Wales camp, Tony Roberts was enjoying double glory, seeing his national side come out eventual winners of the tournament and also being named by two out of three managers in their Conference best XI for this season.

The manager who failed to vote for Roberts was Boston boss Steve Evans, perhaps showing the possibility of the rivalry still being present across the Third Division and Conference divide.

Roberts' reputation of scoring even follows him on international duty: "A lot of the fans were calling for me to go up for corners, but I only score for the Dagenham fans, and they weren't my people in the crowd."

With McDougald in the England line up, he was facing his keeper at club level, but once the game was over it was friends as usual.

Roberts continued: "Junior gave me his shirt at the end and I swapped with the England goalie so I've got both of their shirts now. I've given them to my kids as they are England mad."

Wales' draw with England, topped with a 2-1 win over Scotland and a high scoring 5-2 win over Ireland at Kettering's Rockingham Road, saw them top the table to win the cup.

"It was a great feeling to lift the cup, I felt really patriotic and it was as good as scoring the goal against Basingstoke for Dagenham. It was just like winning the World Cup."

No doubt Roberts won't let team mate McDougald forget his side's victory, and the Daggers striker was full of praise for his team mate.

"It was a great experience but it was disappointing from England's point of view. I was just pleased that we drew with Wales, otherwise Robbo wouldn't have let me hear the last of it.

"There was a lot of banter and wind-ups during the week between us and it was bizarre playing up against him after both being on the same team for so long. I think he did really well and showed his true class.

"Someone like him should really be playing at a higher level, but it's all the better for us that we've got him at Victoria Road."

May 23, 2002 12:30