Dayne Grove 1989 - 2008
It is with much sadness that Metheringham Football Club report the untimely death of Dayne Grove on Wednesday 30 January. He had played for the club from Under 13’s right up to senior level. Dayne was only 19 but in February 2003, when only 14, he was found to have an enlarged heart. He was rushed to Newcastle’s Freeman’s Hospital where he had a heart transplant. With typical fighting spirit Dayne returned to play for his team, the then U15’s in October of that year. He continued through the club's U16’s and U18’s before making two Sunday Senior appearances in 2006 whilst still with the U18’s.
Sadly, in September 2007 he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and despite his gallant battle he passed away peaceful at home with his family on Wednesday. Our sincere condolences go out to mum Sharon Popple, step-dad Simon and siblings Aaron (21), Chelsea (16) and twins Oliver and Holly (11).
Dayne’s playing career with Metheringham saw him make his first appearance as a substitute for the Under 13’s against St Helen’s on 7 April 2002. The side was managed by Tom Styring and Paul Petch and players of that time who have gone on to represent the club at senior level and became his friend’s and colleague’s include Pok Hin Cheung, Billy Fox, Jon Miller, Matt Petch, Matt Robinson and Tom Simpson. The following season, at Under 14’s, Dayne became a regular player, making his full debut for the club in the opening match of that season at home to Nettleham on 1st September. He scored his first goal for the club in the following match in a 5-0 win at Woodhall. By the Christmas Dayne’s health went down hill with him making his last appearance at Market Rasen on 19 January 2003.
As stated, in the February, he had his heart operation, but just one week into the new season he returned to play for the U15’s under the management of Kevin O’Rourke and Paul Petch. His first game was at home to Birchwood on 12 October 2003 just 9 months after his heart replacement! Again in his second match on his return he scored a goal, this time against Coningsby. He went on to make a total of 13 appearances that season. In the 2004-2005 season, for the Under 16’s, he was one of seven, ever present players, making 16 appearances in total. In 2005/06 he was a member of the Club’s under 18’s, although most of the team were all a year younger, being only just 16. Two games into the season he made his 50th club appearance in a 6-0 home win over Sleaford Town on 25 September 2005. He made a total of nine appearances this season. During 2006-2007 Dayne made his first of two senior appearances as a substitute for the Sunday 1st XI at champions elect, Golden Eagle on 15 October 2006. He made a second appearance as a substitute in a Kelly Read cup tie against BBH on 26 November 2006. His last appearance for the Club was for the Under 18’s in a 2-2 draw at home to Waddington on 3 December 2006 thus taking his total club appearances to 63 including 8 goals.