Dagenham & Redbridge Matchday Programme by ForestGreenRovers

Jamie 10 Minutes with Searle

From building caravans to making his New Zealand debut – get to know our goalkeeper Jamie Searle ahead of Dagenham and Redbridge on Wednesday night.

Q: Best moment in football.

I’ve got two that really stand out to me - one would be signing my first professional contract after moving over from New Zealand and the second would be making my full national team debut for NZ!

Q: Best player you’ve played with or against?

Chris Wood is up there but - in training - Kyle Naughton was incredible.

Q: Ground you’ve played at with the best atmosphere.

I wasn’t playing the game but what stands out to me straight away is Sheffield Wednesday.

Q: Ground you’ve played at with the most intimidating tunnel walk?

Portsmouth – Fratton Park is the first place that comes to mind!

Q: Footballing hero?

I grew up watching a lot of Iker Casillas and Edwin Van der Sar but more recently David De Gea with his ability to make saves.

Q: Hobbies outside of football.

Outside of football I like to play golf and watch the Formula 1.

Q: Favourite places you’ve visited.

Some of my favourite places I’ve visited is Florence and Monaco. But Japan is a place I would love to go back and see it properly.

Q: What job would you have if you weren’t a footballer.

Before I become a footballer, I was building caravans so could possibly still be doing that!

Q: Favourite TV series/film?

I love the Fast and Furious films, but my favourite series would be Power.

Q: Best friends at FGR?

Obviously, I spend a lot of time with the GK union, so we’ve become quite close as well as driving in with (Christian) Doidge every day.

Opposition The

Forest Green Rovers (finally) welcome Dagenham & Redbridge to The New Lawn for our third straight home game in 2025.

The Daggers enjoyed incredible success in the FA Cup winning difficult away ties against League Two’s Crewe Alexandra and AFC Wimbledon, which saw this original fixture in November postponed.

Then Storm Darragh put their FA Trophy game at Chertsey Town on hold seeing our rearranged fixture at the start of December cancelled so, it’s third time lucky this evening!

Our last encounter with the Daggers in 2017 was a memorable occasion as goals from Keanu Marsh-Brown and Christian Doidge saw Rovers 2-0 winners booking a spot at Wembley for in the National League play-off final.

That was Rovers’ first and only victory over the Daggers in eight encounters with our visitors winning three whilst the sides were inseparable on four occasions.

Since that match-up, the Daggers have spent the past nine seasons battling in the National League.

Our visitors have enjoyed some unforgettable moments this season such as the 2-1 win away at AFC Wimbledon to reach the third round for first time since 2016.

But one result that may have surprised a few was their emphatic 7-1 drubbing over Gateshead back in September.

Braces from Dion Pereira, Josh Rees and Junior Morias sandwiching a Josh Umerah strike saw the Daggers stun a high-flying Heed.

The Essex side have got some exciting talent on show with a hand full of players nearing the double figure mark for goals this season including Dion Pereira, Josh Rees and Junior Morias.

Following their trip to Nailsworth, the Daggers have another exciting FA Cup tie as they face Championship side, Millwall at The Den in the Third Round on Saturday.

Established

The club was formed in 1992 through a merger of Dagenham and Redbridge Forest, the latter merged from Ilford, Leytonstone and Walthamstow Avenue. The club's traditional colours are red and blue, to represent the merged teams.

Crest

The club's crest, worn since its formation, includes the central shield surmounted by a helm taken from the Dagenham coat of arms.

Stadium

Victoria Road has existed as a football ground since 1917. The most notable improvement recently has seen the SD Samuels Stand replace the terracing at the Western end of the ground. Opened in 2009, the stand sits around 1,200 supporters and is also now home of the dressing rooms used on a matchday.

We believe everyone should be treated equally regardless of race, sex, gender identification, sexual orientation, national origin, native language, religion, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are against discrimination in all its forms.

If you experience or witness anything that concerns you please contact your nearest steward, or email safeguarding@fgr.co.uk.