I will never forget getting changed before a match next to Ian Fletcher and cock (as he was affectionately known to the lads). Fletch's brother in law was a pro footballer playing in Hong Kong ,and had played in a Hong Kong presidents 11 against the England national side as a warm up to the world cup (at the time of the dentist chair drinking game),he had given Ian a tie which had only been given to the 16 players from the Hong Kong team and Ian wore it to our game.After the game the tie had vanised.The following week Cock Roache turns up for the match wearing the exact same tie as had gone missing.Fletch says to Mark " AYE COCK THATS MY TIE FROM LAST WEEK" to which Mark replied "no its not mate i swear i bought it from Rossington car boot last year. Ian just shook his head laughing. Yes Mark was a rogue but you couldnt help liking the kid. RIP COCK

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Yes Chunkster I will verify that you story about Fletch's tie is true did you hear the story about the lawnmower?

As previously stated on here Mark Roache was very proud to play for the Dons I can remember when the Dons agreed a deal with Castleford to swap Dave Pflange for Roachey John Sheridan was worried that Mark would want a signing on fee that the club couldn't afford.
John explained the situation to Mark who replied I've got a couple of outstanding fines to settle if the Dons agree to pay them I will sign for you

My lasting memory of Raochey was the last game at Tattersfield. After the game my Dad asked him he flelt about the ground going, and he burst into tears.

Just been sat here with Amanda reading your comments about Parky and Mark.

It's so nice to hear you all still speak so highly of Kev after 4 years of losing him.

We would love to see a memorial game played in honour of 2 dedicated and passionate Dons players, I will always remember 'Passion' was one of Kev's favourite words!! His other favourites were 'Rugby is Life' and 'Rugby is in the Blood'.

I've never met a man more devoted to a sport in my life!!

Thank you all for your kind words.

John + Amanda Parkhouse.

I remember Mark Roache giving us many a problem during the 80's. Isn't he your all-time record scorer? What were the circumstances of his death? He can't have been very old.

He was I believe the "tries in a season" record holder with a couple of other players until a few seasons ago, when the record was broken by Luke Gale.

I can remember the day Mark set that record, Kevin Rayne got across the line and unselfishly passed the ball to Mark so he put the ball down and get the record.

I don't have the full details of Marks passing to hand sadly, I am only aware of some of the facts.

Mark Roache..... Record Try Scorer 111-tries 1985…1996
Died destitute IIRC aged about 41/42.

[quote="SteveRoebuck"]He was I believe the "tries in a season" record holder with a couple of other players until a few seasons ago, when the record was broken by Luke Gale.

I can remember the day Mark set that record, Kevin Rayne got across the line and unselfishly passed the ball to Mark so he put the ball down and get the record.

In the 1989-90 season Mark Roache broke the club record of tries scored in a season previously held by Neil Turner
He broke the record by scoring two tries in the final game of the season in the match against Mansfield played at Tattersfield April 16th 1990 Marks tally for the season was 21 tries.

Dons Team & Scorers
Sygrove
Roache (2T)
D.Evans (1T)
A.Pennant(1T)
Zelei (3G)
Carroll
Abrahams
Puckering
Idle
Procter (1T)
Jasiewicz
Sheldon
Subs
Keith Jones (1T)
Kevin Rayne (1T)

Result Dons 34 Mansfield 8

I believe if we do plan to have anymore memorial games it should be for Parky & Roachey (Am I the only one who remembers him with the nickname Dancer, could have imagined it though, a few beers have gone under the bridge).
Any game could raise funds for the Parky Foundation & possibly M25 as I believe Mark died homeless.