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The Blue Brazil Hall of Fame
As part of the activities to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the foundation of Cowdenbeath FC, the Blue Brazil On-line in conjunction with the Supporters Club worked together to create a 'Hall of Fame' which includes all of Cowdenbeath FC's greatest ever players, club officials, teams and games - as voted for by the supporters of the Blue Brazil across the world via the online poll and the Central Fife Times.
Over the course of ten months 32 individual, 6 teams and 6 games were inducted into the Hall of Fame. To view the profiles click on a category below:
This year 2 more players will be added to the names already immortalised in the Cowdenbeath FC Hall of Fame. There will be two opportunities to vote. 10 candidates were up for election for the period 1880-1945 - voting for this era is now closed. Currently a further 10 candidates are up for election from the post-war era. One candidate from each era will be admitted and the new entrants to the Hall of Fame will be announced at the Cowdenbeath Supporters Club player of the year evening at the Clansman Hotel on 28th April.
Click here to view the profiles for 1945 - 2007 and visit the online poll to cast your vote. Alternatively, write to David Allan (41 Garvock Hill, Dunfermline, Fife, KY12 7UR) or email him on daallan6754@aol.com.
Hall of Fame - The inductees
Individuals
Raymond Allan (Goalkeeper, 1972-75, 1979-89) – Quite simply a Cowden legend! Cowdenbeath born and bred and the grandson of ex-Cowden goalkeeper and local entertainer George Kyle. Raymond joined Cowden in 1972 from Glenrothes Juniors. He was though freed after 3 seasons and joined Glenrothes. However, Raymond was to be capped by Scotland at junior level and eventually resigned by Cowden in 1979. For the next decade, he was a fixture in the Cowden goal and was a familiar, popular, vociferous and dominating presence. He was a celebrated shot-stopper and famed for his prodigious kicking as well as his incredible penalty saving record. Overall, Ray saved 25 out of the 80 penalties he faced in competitive fixtures for Cowden - a very impressive saving rate of 31.25%. He saved around 1 in every 3 penalties he faced. These stats don't include saves in penalty shoot outs where Raymie had perhaps an even better record. Among those players who saw penalties saved by Raymond were Eamonn Bannon, John Jobson, Ian Campbell, Graeme Armstrong, John Colquhoun (twice!), Willie Johnston, Frank McAvennie, Dave Beaton, Sammy Conn and Alan Lawrence. Ray twice saved 2 penalties in a game v Kilmarnock and Stirling Albion. After making a record 422 League appearances for Cowden, he left the club after a dispute with manager John Brownlie. He had twice been voted Cowdenbeath’s player of the year in 1985 and 1987. However, Ray enjoyed an Indian summer to his career playing for Brechin, Forfar, Raith Rovers and Motherwell (for whom he played in a European tie). He won two promotions whilst at Brechin City. His senior career ended in 1997, 5 days after his 42 nd birthday. He had made 620 Scottish League appearances in a 25 year career span.
Graeme Brown (Centre forward, 1997-03) – Born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1980, Graeme was brought up in the rugby stronghold of Galashiels. He however was very much an advocate of the proper shaped ball game and was signed at the age of 16 by Cowdenbeath in 1997 from Broomhall Saints. He quickly made his debut for Cowden and is one of the few players to have scored a goal for Cowden whilst just 16. He was still a schoolboy in Galashiels at the time and in that first year also scored 18 goals in 24 games for the youth team. In his early years, he learned from his baptism in the tough school of the Scottish League’s bottom division. The youngster was popular with the fans from the start and as he developed his game, he became one of the most popular players ever to don a Blue Brazil jersey. He was Cowden’s top scorer in 1999/00 and then was a member of the promotion winning side in 2001. Graeme had his finest ever season in 2001/02. He was Cowden’s top league scorer with 17 goals. In December 2001, he was Bell’s Player of the Month for Division 2 and at the end of the campaign he just missed out on being named Division 2 player of the year. Graeme though was Cowden’s player of the year in both 2000 and 2002.
Graeme continued to score goals and became the first player ever to both score more than 50 league goals and make more than 200 League appearances for Cowdenbeath. All in all Graeme was a player who was a credit to the club and highly revered by its supporters. Graeme spent several years at Edinburgh University doing his degree and passed his law exams in 2002. Cowden turned down several bids before he eventually departed Central Park for Ayr United in 2004. He is now with Alloa. Graeme also memorably won a footballer's singing competition on Tam Cowan's Offside TV show and he is also bass player in the band Mydas.
Willie Devlin (Centre forward, 1922-26, 1929-30) – Cowden signed Willie Devlin from Clyde in 1922 for a club record fee of £700. In 1922/23 he was the second highest scorer in Division 2. In the following season, Cowden won promotion with Devlin the leading scorer in Division 2. Cowden then had a great season in 1924/25 and Willie Devlin scored 33 League goals to end up as the First Division's leading marksman - one goal ahead of Hughie Gallacher. Devlin was at his peak in 1925/26 and eventually Huddersfield’s offer of £4,200 for his transfer was accepted. Devlin had scored 38 League goals in 30 games and ended the season as the leading scorer in Division 1, ahead of Jimmy McGrory of Celtic. Devlin joined a great Huddersfield Town side in time to help them clinch a third consecutive Football League championship. Subsequently he was transferred to Liverpool. He scored 29 goals in 51 appearances in the English 1 st Division before joining Hearts. He then ventured south again to play for non-league Macclesfield and scored 60 goals in a season. In June 1929, Cowden brought their old warhorse back to Central Park at the age of 30. He was only rarely able to recapture his old form though and at the season's close, he was released. Willie then went on to turn out for Mansfield, Burton Town, Shelbourne (Dublin), Bangor City, Ashton National, Boston United, Olympique Marseilles and Zurich before hanging up his boots. Willie Devlin scored a club record 120 League goals in 155 appearances for Cowdenbeath, a wonderful record which is likely to stand the test of time.
Andrew R Dick (Chairman, 1910-31) – Andrew Dick was one of the great names of Cowdenbeath FC. He and his brother James (who gifted the Dick Cup as a local school’s competition – this was the first trophy ever won by a side featuring Jim Baxter when he played for Beath High School) founded Dick’s Cooperative Institutions in 1886. DCI was a chain of Co-operative stores owned by the Dick brothers that flourished in West Fife for many years. It was Andrew Dick who gifted Central Park (previously Dick’s Park) to Cowdenbeath FC. Cowden moved there in 1917. It had previously been the home of the local cricket club and DCI grazed cattle there. Dick moved the cricket club to a new site at Golf Park, Lumphinnans and initially leased Dick’s Park to Cowdenbeath FC for 15 years from November 1913. A director when the club became a Limited Company in 1905, he was chairman for 21 years between 1910 and 1931 (the club’s heyday) until he abruptly severed all links with the club after a boardroom dispute. Only Bill Hodge served longer as Cowden chairman.
A R Dick was also a noted football administrator serving as president of the wartime Eastern League and then on the SFA Council as well as the Scottish League Management Committee. He also built the Cowdenbeath Picture House and one of Mr Dick’s discoveries at the Picture House was David McCallum who became an internationally renowned musician and was the father of David ‘Ilya Kuryakin’ McCallum. Dick was also one of the founders of Cowdenbeath Bowling Club in 1903. He died in 1954 at his home at Nivingston House at Cleish just a few months after DCI closed its doors for the last time. His former home is now the Nivingston House Hotel. The part he played in making Cowdenbeath a club to be reckoned with should never be forgotten.
John Dickson (Inside right, 1968-72) – Joined Leeds after leaving school in Kirkcaldy but the schoolboy internationalist couldn’t settle down south where he shared lodgings with Peter Lorimer and Eddie Gray. Leeds’ loss was Cowden’s gain and he joined Cowden after only a brief spell with Lochore Welfare (he scored 8 goals in his first 3 junior matches for the Welfare). John was a gifted player. Sometimes a prima donna but always liable to bring the house down with his supreme trickery and skill. 1969/70 saw him at his peak as Scotland’s leading goalscorer with 31 League goals in 34 games for Cowden as promotion was won. 1972 though saw him tempted away to St Mirren and later he played for Ayr United. Subsequently, he managed Elgin City and Dundonald Bluebell. There was also a short spell late in his career playing for East Fife. Over the years he became a deeper lying player, more a creator of goals than in his Cowden heyday. He was manager of BRAG Ltd for a time outside football and was involved in the regeneration of the Benarty area. On January 12 th 1998, John Dickson was found dead at his Kirkcaldy home. Dixie was aged just 49 – but like his Cowden contemporaries he lives on in our hearts and minds. In the mind’s eye the slim figure of Dickson remains forever elegant and poised as he rounds the ‘keeper to score. He scored 98 League goals in his career – 61 of them for the Miners.
John Dougary (Manager, 1934-38 & 1955-58) – John Dougary was the son of one of Cowdenbeath FC's originals. He played as an outside left for Lochgelly Amateurs and Moray House (as he trained to become a teacher). In the Great War, he was in the Royal Scots and served in Gallipoli, Salonika and Egypt before being invalided home with enteric fever. Back recovering in the UK, he played a few games for Stoke City while he attended Northern Command Bombing School. Dougary then went to OCS and returned to the Royal Scots as an officer on the Western Front. In civvy street, he was initially a teacher at his old alma mater Foulford School in Cowdenbeath. After the war, he became headmaster of Hillend School but indulged his love for football by running the Cowdenbeath and District Schools League, which he had founded in 1913. By 1932, John was president of the Scottish Elementary Schools FA and was instrumental in arranging for 3 schoolboy international matches to be played at Central Park. Scotland played Ireland, Wales and England before 5 figure crowds in Cowdenbeath. In 1934, with Cowdenbeath FC stony broke and on the verge of extinction he was asked to take on the job as manager of Cowdenbeath FC. He rapidly turned the club’s fortunes around although he had to resign in 1938 due to his other commitments. The team he built went on a year later to win the 2 nd Division Championship in record breaking manner. Subsequently, he was a part-time scout for Liverpool and it was he who spotted the great Billy Liddell from Townhill for the Reds. During the 2 nd World War he was adjutant of the Fife Battalion of the Home Guard. John was also a JP, had a spell as president of the British International Board in schoolboy football and was president of Lochgelly Bowling club.
After the war, he was headmaster at Glencraig School but he still hankered after an involvement in football. At one time the Cowdenbeath Education Board accused John of being more interested in football than teaching. John demolished this charge by producing correspondence which revealed he had turned down an offer to manage St Johnstone. Eventually though the lure of the beautiful game was to prove irresistible. He resigned his school post and took over as manager of the Welsh club Rhyl in 1951. His largely Scottish side went on to win the Welsh Cup for the first time in Rhyl’s history. In 1955, he returned to manage Cowden once more and within 2 years took the club, which had again been struggling financially to within one place of promotion. At the end of season 1957/58, he stepped down as manager for health reasons but accepted the post of secretary/director. In summer 1961 though he quit the club after a boardroom row and sadly never again returned to Central Park. John died in 1970; his contribution to Cowdenbeath FC and schoolboy football had been huge. His son Jack Dougary was a well-known local entertainer and editor of the Central Fife Times & Advertiser.
Scott Duncan (Manager 1925-32) - Adam Scott Matthewson Duncan was the son of a Dumbarton butcher. He was working in a local solicitors' office when he joined Dumbarton in 1906. After 2 years at Boghead, Newcastle United signed him for a £150 fee. In 1909, he was a member of the Newcastle side which won the Football League championship. In 1913, Rangers moved in to sign Duncan for a £500 fee and he was to spend 6 years at Ibrox. During the Great War, Scott was a signalling instructor in the Royal Field Artillery in Glasgow and became one of the few players to turn out for both halves of the 'Old Firm' when he played in 2 wartime matches for Celtic. After the War, Scott Duncan returned to play for Dumbarton until Cowdenbeath signed him in 1920. The genial Duncan was a popular figure at Central Park. In 1922, Scott Duncan once again signed for Dumbarton and soon afterwards took up his first managerial post at Hamilton Accies. Scott ably displayed his management capabilities at Douglas Park. In 1925, he accepted the post of manager at Central Park, a job he carried out with conspicuous success over the next few years. Cowden remained in the top flight throughout his 7 years at the helm. Scott Duncan had previously turned down approaches from both Ayr United and Sunderland but in July 1932, he was unable to resist the offer to become manager of Manchester United. He was manager at Old Trafford for 5 years during which time United were 2nd Division champions. In November 1937, he was persuaded to accept the manager's job at ambitious non-league Ipswich Town who offered a very high salary. In 1938, Ipswich were elected into the Football League. His patient team building then paid off in 1954 when Town were 3rd Division (South) champions. In summer 1955, Scott Duncan stepped down as Ipswich manager to be succeeded by Alf Ramsey who would take Ipswich to 1 st Division championship honours within a few years. Scott Duncan stayed on as club secretary for a further 3 years during which time he was awarded the Football League's long service medal and finally retired from football at the age of almost 70 in 1958. Scott then returned home to Scotland to live in contented retirement in Helensburgh until he passed away at the age of 87 in 1976. He had married a Kelty girl and holidayed in West Fife long after he left Central Park.
John Falconer (Goalkeeper, 1921-30) – In 1921 John Falconer joined Cowden from St Anthonys. Falconer was a regular for the next 2 seasons but when asked to resign in 1923 he demanded an exorbitant signing-on fee. Cowdenbeath soon learned that he had been tapped by Celtic and refused to allow him to leave. Falconer was idle throughout the next season but when Cowdenbeath clinched promotion, the club and player agreed to bury the hatchet. He was a virtual ever present throughout the next 7 seasons. In March 1926, Falconer performed a unique feat in the annals of the Scottish League when he saved 3 penalties in a match v Hibs at Easter Road. The next milestone for Falconer followed in 1928 when he was capped by the Scottish League v the English League at Ibrox. Scotland crashed 6-2 but Falconer gave a defiant performance and saved a penalty from 'Dixie' Dean to deny the England centre a hat trick. At the start of season 1928/29, disaster struck at Tynecastle. John ran out to fist a ball clear and collided with a crowd of players. He lay prostrate on the pitch and stretcher-bearers took him to the pavilion. His knee cap was broken and he never played again for Cowden.
In August 1931, John Falconer played a trial for Celtic and was impressive enough to be signed as an understudy to John Thomson. Within a month, John Thomson met with tragedy at Ibrox Park. A week later, John Falconer was thrust into the Celtic line-up. John played 7 games for Celtic but it was clear his damaged knee could not stand up to the rigours of 1 st Division football. He then gradually slipped out of the game - his career blighted by injury and his departure overshadowed by the much greater tragedy of the death of one of West Fife's most loved football sons, John Thomson from Bowhill.
Tom Glancy (Wing half/Inside forward, 1925-34) – £350 was money well spent by Cowdenbeath to sign Tom Glancy from St Johnstone. Glancy was an experienced inside-forward who had spent many years with Falkirk in the 1 st Division after joining them from Glencraig Celtic. Tom Glancy found his niche at Central Park in the right-half berth and went on to give his home town club 9 seasons of faithful assistance. Glancy made 264 League appearances for Cowden, all in the top flight. Only 4 men have played in more games for the club – Ray Allan, Willie Pullar, Craig Winter and Denis Jack. His versatility and consistency made him a real favourite of the local fans. When Cowdenbeath were relegated in 1934, he retired from the game. He had applied unsuccessfully for the manager’s job at Cowdenbeath a few months earlier.
Tommy was also a useful golfer winning the scratch medal at Cowdenbeath Golf Club in June 1926. He also had a twin sister Helen. His cousin, Laurie Glancy, played for Hearts of Beath, Celtic, Cowdenbeath and Bo'ness. His son, Watty Glancy, a well known sprinter will be recalled as Cowden trainer for many years. Tom died in February 1949.
Charlie Gronbach (Chairman, 1964-81) - Charlie was born in Bowhill in Fife in 1909. The Gronbach family butcher's business has been prominent in Cowdenbeath since 1912. Indeed, in the 1980s, the business won acclaim as Scotland's champion haggis makers. Back in the early 1930’s, 2 members of the Gronbach family played for the highly successful Cowdenbeath Wednesday in the local shopkeepers' half-day holiday league. At that time, Cowdenbeath Wednesday were a dominant force regularly winning the main trophies, the League championship, the Motroni Cup, the Templeman Trophy and the Parker Cup. Wednesday mainstays included Fred Gronbach in goal and his brother Charlie at full-back. In 1933, Rangers signed Cowdenbeath full-back Tom Russell (ex-Cowdenbeath Wednesday) and Cowdenbeath called on Charlie Gronbach from 'the Wednesday' to replace Russell. Russell ( Broad Street) and Gronbach (Foulford) had at one time been the full back pairing for Cowdenbeath & District Schools. Charlie had also turned out for a club entitled Cowdenbeath Bruntonians as well as Cowdenbeath Excelsior.
Charlie joined a struggling Cowden side but made an impact on his debut by firing a 40-yard howitzer into the Dunfermline net. Charlie lost his place in the Cowdenbeath line-up after the first 10 games of the following season and was allowed to join East Fife on a loan basis but never returned to Central Park as a player. However, 30 years later in 1964 he joined the Cowdenbeath board. By the end of 1964, Charlie was Cowdenbeath chairman following the death of W Wilson Terris. The board included his old Cowdenbeath Wednesday full-back partner Dave Fowlis as well as Tom Russell. Cowdenbeath were once more in financial straits but Charlie Gronbach introduced speedway and then stock car racing to provide a financial lifeline for the club. The highlight of Charlie Gronbach's tenure as chairman followed in 1970 when a rejuvenated Cowden returned to Division 1 after an absence of 31 years. Charlie continued as chairman until 1981 when he stepped down after 17 years in the chair. He was later created an honorary president of Cowdenbeath FC after retiring from the Board in 1985. Until his death Charlie was to be found at Central Park every game cheering on the club he first was associated with nearly 70 years before. In more recent years, he watched matches from his Mercedes which his son Andrew parked on the track behind the west goal at Central Park (just a few yards more or less directly behind where he once patrolled the pitch in his left back berth). He died on the Thursday before Cowden’s last match of the 2001/02 season. A minutes silence was held before Cowden’s last game versus Hamilton in memory of the man who would have been proud of the team’s display in a 2-1 win. His car stood in its usual spot as it had done all season as his son Andrew felt that this would be a fitting tribute to his father. Cowden fans meanwhile stood in silent tribute and fondly remembered a lifelong Cowden man who had first watched ‘the Miners’ back when they still played at North End Park.
George Jordan (Right back, 1938-40) – Possilpark youth George Jordan was a product of Kilbirnie Ladeside who Cowdenbeath signed in January 1938. Jordan wore his hair slicked back with a centre parting and cut a distinctive figure on the park. He soon became regarded as one of Cowdenbeath's finest ever full backs.
George Jordan was two footed and had the ability to get out of tight corners in uncanny fashion. Cowden fans marvelled at his sangfroid. Arsenal soon desired Jordan's signature and made overtures in the close season of 1938. A massive £8,000 fee was offered but Jordan wished to play for no one but Cowdenbeath. He marched into manager John Dougary's office and laid it on the line, 'Are you not wanting me to play for Cowdenbeath? If not, I'll no’ be playing for anybody else'. George remained at Central Park to share in the 1938/39 promotion success. In 1940, when Cowden closed down for the War, he joined the Army. Several English and Scottish clubs sought his services on a guest basis but he refused to consider playing elsewhere (although he did play in a few matches for St Johnstone). Private 2759374 George Jordan of the 7 th Battalion, the Black Watch was killed on active service in North West France on Saturday 8 July 1944. He is buried in the Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados. Ranville was the first French village liberated on D-Day. He was only 27 years of age. Scottish football was deprived of a potentially great defender by his death.
Andy Kinnell (Centre half, 1964-72) – The brother of George Kinnell (Aberdeen/Stoke/Sunderland) and second cousin of the illustrious Jim Baxter. A native of Cowdenbeath, Andy started out with Cowdenbeath Royals and was signed by Cowden in 1964. He was farmed out to Sauchie Juniors for a brief spell at first but was soon in the Cowden side aged just 17. He spent 8 splendid years at Central Park. Originally a wing-half, he moved into the centre half berth early in his career and never looked back. He wasn’t the tallest of pivots but had impeccable timing both in the air and on the ground. Never flustered, Andy was a class player who could mix it with the best of them when necessary. He was Cowden’s player of the year in 1968 but due to a contract error he then signed for Raith Rovers in the close season. However, the SFA, on the eve of season 1968/69, ruled he was still a Cowden player. He then led Cowden to promotion in 1970 as well as during their year in the top flight plus in the League Cup semi final at Hampden v Rangers. Andy was the amiable but inspirational skipper of this fine Cowden side. In 1972, he realised his ambition to go full-time when Willie Ormond signed him for St Johnstone for £8,000. He went on to captain Saints in the Premier League and made 94 appearances for the Muirton men. When Saints were relegated in 1976, Andy hung up his boots at the age of barely 30. He turned down some offers to consider management, as he didn’t believe he was cut out for that side of the game. Still resident in Cowdenbeath and a past club champion of Cowdenbeath Bowling Club.
Bob Law (Wing half, 1881-95) - In 1881, Bob Law was one of the founders of Raith Rovers in Cowdenbeath. After the merger with Cowdenbeath Rangers, Bob was appointed captain of Cowdenbeath FC and led the team on the field for many years. Law was the driving force behind many of Cowden's early successes and took the Miners to four Fife Cup wins and two Dunfermline Charity Cup victories. He was capped several times by Fifeshire. He also played for the Albert Cricket Club in Cowdenbeath. In 1901, Bob Law demonstrated his true mettle in the Donibristle disaster when he was lowered on a rope into the yawning chasm on Moss Morran where he rescued 3 men who had been entombed. Bob Law was honoured for his heroism with £100 from Andrew Carnegie and a gold watch from the Daily Telegraph. His eventful life came to its close in Cowdenbeath in December 1931.
Jim 'Hookey' Leonard (Inside forward, 1923-26, 1927-28, 1930) - Pocket dynamo inside-left Jim Leonard was of course immortalised in Ron Ferguson's 'Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil'. In 1924/25, he was in and out of the side and was suspended for missing training sessions. Cowden then insisted that he should live in Cowdenbeath but Hookey's celebrity status meant he had no shortage of admirers who frequented the local hostelries. Hookey re-established himself in season 1925/26 and was in peak form. He was third top goalscorer in Division 1. However, Cowden fans were shocked in December 1926, when Jim walked out on Cowden to join Indiana Flooring in the thriving American Soccer League. Hookey was a great success in the US where he was paid £50 down and $65 per week.
Jim Leonard elected to return to Cowdenbeath for season 1927/28 and was in brilliant form. Arsenal then wanted him but Hookey signed for New York Nationals in the USA. Hookey spent a further 2 years in the States before returning to West Fife to sign for Cowdenbeath for a third time. Once again, he turned in a series of virtuoso performances for the Miners. He was selected to represent the Scottish League against the Irish League and then was signed by Sunderland for a £3,000 fee. At Roker Park, he enjoyed a grand first season at Sunderland, scoring 19 goals in 33 games and playing in an FA Cup semi-final. Later after a dispute with the club he played with Rhyl before he signed for Morton in October 1932. Jimmy showed some of his old skills at Greenock but had injury problems and ended his career in Ireland. Hookey died in 1958. His 84 League and Scottish Cup goals make him Cowdenbeath's fourth highest goalscorer of all-time. His turbulent character and his supreme skills combined to produce a Cowdenbeath great. His happiest days were spent at Cowdenbeath where he indulged his twin passions of football and drinking!
Craig Levein (Centre-back, 1981-83, Manager, 1997-2000) – A native of Aberdour, Craig played in the Inverkeithing High team with Gordon Durie. As a juvenile, he represented Dalgety Bay, Leven Royals and Inverkeithing. He went junior with Lochore Welfare and aged 17 he moved between Central Parks to join Andy Rolland’s Cowden. Levein rapidly made the breakthrough to the first team. His superior and athletic style made a lasting impression and following a League Cup tie with Hearts the Tynecastle club needed no further convincing re Craig’s merits. He was off to Tynecastle at the tender age of 19 in return for a £40,000 fee. He was a commanding figure at Tynecastle and was a member of the Hearts team which tragically failed to do the double in 1986. Craig’s classy play earned him 16 Scotland caps and he played in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. His career though was badly marred by injury which it was later revealed cost him a transfer to Manchester United. In 1986, he was out with a cruciate ligament injury and after 6 months back in the side broke down when the injury re-occurred. He was out of action then for around 3 years and his career hung in the balance. Then in 1995, his career was ended when his knee went in a match v Dunfermline. Operations on his knee were not a success and he had to give up playing aged only 31.
Craig then did some coaching with Hearts and Livingston. In 1997, Gordon McDougall asked him to take on the job as Cowdenbeath manager and after some hesitation Craig took the plunge. In time, he had a radical impact and his professional approach and organisation began to reap dividends. He built an entertaining side with just the right blend of youth and experience which went on to win promotion in 2001. Disappointingly Craig wasn’t there when Cowden went up as he had already answered the call to become Hearts manager half way through the season. However, on the night of Cowden’s promotion success, Craig to everyone’s delight turned up at the celebration party. Despite being hampered by a lack of funds (as he was at Cowdenbeath) Craig did a notable job at Tynecastle and earned wide respect as one of the most articulate and talented managers in Scotland. Subsequently, he enjoyed a less happy time as manager at Leicester City. At Central Park and Tynecastle, Craig Levein has inspired great respect and no little affection.
Duncan Lindsay (Centre forward, 1926-30) - Duncan Lindsay started out with his local side, Cambuslang Rangers. In 1925, he moved to East Fife and in April 1926 to Cowdenbeath. He made occasional appearances on the wing but then was tried at centre forward in a Wemyss Cup tie v Dunfermline and scored 4 goals. Duncan then was centre forward for the next 116 League games. He was a bustling, powerful centre but his greatest attribute was his devastating pace. In season 1927/28, he scored 31 League goals. He also scored 6 goals in a Scottish Cup tie v Johnstone and another 6 in a Fife Cup encounter with St Andrews University. Duncan's goalscoring feats were an irresistible lure to other clubs. Newcastle were the lucky club and paid £2,700 for Lindsay in May 1930. Unfortunately, Duncan was expected to fill the boots of Tyneside legend, Hughie Gallagher. He played in 19 games for a struggling Newcastle side and was top scorer with 12 goals in 1930/31. Later, Lindsay scored goals for Bury, Northampton Town, Ashton National, York City and Hartlepools United. Duncan Lindsay scored 82 goals in 126 Scottish 1 st Division appearances for Cowdenbeath. No one has bettered this tally for Cowden in the top flight.
Andy Matthew (Manager 1968-74 )- Born in the lang toun of Kirkcaldy in 1932, Andy Matthew’s football career began as an inside left with Kirkcaldy Rose Street Boys Club. In his year with Rose Street, Andy won four caps for Scotland in Boys Club internationals. He then had a time with Bayview YouthClub prior to joining East Fife in 1949. His debut for the Methil men came in 1951 and hewas then a fixture in the East Fife line up for the next seven years. Andy played in 194 games and scored 31 goals for East Fife. He was a member of the East Fife side which won the 1954 League Cup. In 1958, his ex-Bayview boss, Scot Symon signed him for Rangers for a fee of £4,500.
Matthew’s spell at Ibrox lasted for two seasons and he scored 12 goals in 37 games for the Govanites. Andy was a fast, direct, and orthodox winger with a finely tuned left foot. He won a League championship medal in 1959 and then played in the European Cup for Rangers. Davie Wilson though eventually won the fight to regularly wear the number 11 jersey at Ibrox and Andy then headed homewardsto sign for Raith Rovers for a £4,500 fee in 1960. He had only one year with the Rovers and then on being freed went to Dunfermline. Again, he was freed after only one year at East End Park
It seemed his career was drawing to a gentle close until Harry Colville persuaded Andy to complete the set of Fife clubs and join Cowden. A highly successful five year stay at Central Park produced 38 goals by the veteran Matthew in 145 league games for Cowden. Andy Matthew then hung up his boots in 1967 and looked set to spend his days running the family coal merchant’s business in Kirkcaldy - A Matthew & Son.
However, early in 1968, Andy was appointed manager of Cowdenbeath FC. He later said he had planned to give himself three years and if he wasn't a success he would ‘chuck it'. Matthew needn't have worried though as he sensationally built a team that took Cowden back into the top flight after a 30 year absence with the club also appearing in the League Cup semi-final. Matthew’s years in charge were a return to the halcyon days for Cowden fans. All things though must pass and after 6 years as manager Matthew resigned in 1974
Later, Andy had two successful spells as manager of Raith Rovers and saw his hometown team win promotion under his guidance. He then stepped up and joined the Raith board as a director. Sadly, on 4 October 1992 at the age of only 60 Andy collapsed and died whilst playing golf at Kinross. He is warmly remembered as a Cowden idol to this day.
Jim McArthur (Goalkeeper, 1967-72, 1983) – Archie Robertson signed Jim McArthur when he was 15 from his local club Halbeath Boys Club. He was the youngest player ever to play in the Cowden 1 st XI when he made his debut at Hampden v Queen’s Park in March 1968 at the tender age of just 16 years and 13 days. Jim was farmed out to Jubilee Athletic for a couple of years but every season made a few first team appearances for Cowden. His breakthrough came in season 1970/71 when injury saw Alan Wylie sidelined.
Jim took over for the rest of the 1 st Division campaign and a star was born. McArthur’s goalkeeping over the next 20 months was unforgettable and his brilliance brought a host of admirers to Central Park. Eddie Turnbull it was who signed Jim for Hibs in October 1972 for a £10,000 fee at the age of only 20. 11 memorable years at Easter Road followed culminating in a well deserved testimonial for Jim. He saved a penalty in the 1979 Scottish Cup final v Rangers and played in many European ties for the Hibees. 1983/84 was Jim’s last senior campaign during which he played for Morton, Raith Rovers and then made one last nostalgic appearance in goal for Cowden at Ochilview playing behind his future client Craig Levein.
Jim then dabbled in rugby for a while and turned out for Kirkcaldy RFC. Subsequently, he became a highly successful football agent and is now one of the UK’s leading agents. Visitors to Central Park of the present day can see Jim’s advertising hoarding JimMcArthur.com at the High Street end not far from the goals he once guarded with such distinction.
Alex ‘Ming’ Menzies (Half back, 1948-55) – Lord Ewing of Kirkford once said, ‘If you were to cut Ming in half, like a stick of Blackpool rock he would have 'Cowdenbeath' printed around his waist’. Alex Menzies was born in Cowdenbeath. During the War, he left school and almost inevitably went to work in the pits - the Aitken Pit in Kelty to be precise. Almost as inevitably, Alex also began to make his mark in the football world. He played for the Cowdenbeath Welfare Boys Club, Kelty St Josephs, Lochgelly Violet and Thorntree United before going senior with Dumbarton in 1947. In 1948, he joined Cowden. Ming was a resolute, tough-tackling wing-half and was soon appointed club captain. He was to be the bedrock of the side throughout his 7 years at Central Park. Ron Ferguson summed up 'Ming' in 'Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil' thus; - ‘Alex Menzies typifies more than anyone the Cowdenbeath footballing spirit. Cowdenbeath born and bred, Big Ming epitomised the West Fife grit and passion As a miner accustomed to dangerous underground work, Ming had no fear in him. Built like a bull, if he was injured he would invariably wave away the trainer and get stuck in; and on Saturday nights, after the game, Ming would be seen at the Cowdenbeath Palais de Danse, limping, eating a fish supper. The man would make Roy Aitken look effeminate’.
Alex Menzies went on to play in 175 League-games for Cowdenbeath over 7 seasons. His last season with his hometown club was 1954/55. At the end of the campaign, the directors elected to adopt a youth policy and gave Ming a free transfer in lieu of a benefit so that he could negotiate a worthwhile signing-on fee. Dundee United offered terms but Ming preferred to sign for St Johnstone. Ming played 65 games in the next 2 years for the Perth club where he proved to be an excellent acquisition. When he was dropped from the team, the St Johnstone fans staged an angry demonstration.
In 1957, he was persuaded to join Stirling Albion by that great character Tam Fergusson who had been a long time Ming admirer. In 1953, Tam had visited the Cowden dressing room to congratulate Menzies on his play, ‘Scottish football would be the better for more players of your calibre’. Ming enjoyed an Indian Summer with Stirling Albion and won a 2 nd Division Championship medal in 1957/58. In 1958/59, Ming realised a long-held ambition when he played in the top flight as a full-timer with Stirling Albion and made a typical contribution by helping the Annfield club to stave off relegation. At the end of this season, Ming was freed by Albion and he then joined Alloa where he was made captain. In 1961, he hung up his boots to end the ‘Ming Dynasty’ after 14 years as a senior. Ming continued to live in Cowdenbeath and was a well-known local personality. He retained links with Cowdenbeath FC and acted as a scout for some time. In November 1990, in the same week as the Burgh of Cowdenbeath celebrated its centenary, Alex Menzies died. Subsequently, Lord Ewing recommended that the new stand being built at Central Park be named after Alex Menzies and this suggestion was adopted by the Board of Cowdenbeath FC.
Willie Mercer (Outside Left, 1894-1909) – Local boy Willie Mercer joined Cowdenbeath in 1894. He was to prove one of Cowden's best ever investments and gave the club almost 15 years of faithful service. Willie was a skilful but hardy and powerful left-winger. He packed a tremendous shot in either foot and in most of his seasons at North End Park ended up as top scorer. In 1898, he had brief spells with Hibs and the English League club Glossop North End before returning to ‘the Miners’. His colleagues in the Cowdenbeath team included his brother-in-law Pete Nisbet and his brother Sandy Mercer. In 1905, Willie had the honour of scoring Cowdenbeath's first ever goal in the Scottish League. Willie was secretary of the Cowdenbeath junior club, Vulcan Rovers, and a leading light of Cowdenbeath Cricket Club. He spent 3 years as trainer of Cowdenbeath FC and was a referee. Mercer was also a founder member and official of Lumphinnans Bowling Club. He was a miner and died in 1932 aged 57 just after coming offshift at the James Pit at Donibristle Colliery.
Willie Paterson (Centre Forward, 1914-25) - Willie Paterson from Hill of Beath was the son of Sandy Paterson, the Cowdenbeath manager. He played for Foulford White Rose and Cowdenbeath Wednesday. In 1914, his father signed him for Cowdenbeath and he played a small part in Cowdenbeath's 1915 2 nd Division championship success. In the following season, Willie became established as the first choice centre forward. Rangers took an interest in him and he was transferred to Ibrox in 1916. Willie scored 3 goals in 5 games at Ibrox but with the Great War raging, Willie decided to 'do his bit' and enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery. Gunner Paterson spent the next 15 months in France. He was demobbed in October 1919 and then returned to Central Park where he was a member of the Cowden side which lost 2-0 to Bathgate at Ibrox in the 1920 Scottish Qualifying Cup final. Paterson by now was establishing himself as one of the leading marksmen around. In 1920/21, in the Central League, he was in peerless form. He was now one of the hottest properties in Scottish football and a host of clubs were clamouring to sign the Cowdenbeath centre. Paterson had scored 30 goals in 22 League matches when Derby's bid of £3,500 was accepted by the Cowdenbeath board in January 1921.
Paterson spent 3 years at the Baseball Ground. In the close season of 1923/24, he jumped at the chance to rejoin Cowdenbeath on the eve of their first Division 1 campaign. Willie Paterson, however, could not win back his old berth from the scoring sensation, Willie Devlin. He was again transferred south of the Border to 3rd Division Coventry City. A year later and he was off on his travels again. This time Willie headed to the USA. Willie played for Springfield and then moved on to Fall River. He made a significant impact on the US soccer scene and became player/manager of Providence. In 1929/30, he took up the post of player/manager of the Gold-Bugs and scored 44 goals in 36 games. His next move was then to the big city club, New York Nationals. A couple of years later, Willie Paterson's playing career came to a close and he returned from America to live in Fife. In December 1933, his father died and Willie enjoyed a short spell as caretaker boss at Central Park before stepping out of the limelight for the last time. For the rest of his days, Willie lived in Saline and remained an avid Cowdenbeath supporter. He took great delight in Cowdenbeath's promotion success in 1970. Sadly, Willie died just a few days before the start of season 1970/71.
John Pollock - (Outside Right, 1880-85) - In 1879, the Pollock family from Cumnock in Ayrshire came to Cowdenbeath. Most of the family obtained work in the nearby Raith Colliery. Mrs Margaret Pollock, the mother of this large family, opened a second-hand furniture shop in Cowdenbeath and bought a football for her sons for 13/-. This was the first time the 'leather sphere' had been seen in Cowdenbeath. In June 1880 Cowdenbeath Rangers was formed by John and James Pollock. In 1882, now under the banner of Cowdenbeath FC, John Pollock was a star player in the line up. He was capped by both the Fifeshire and Edinburgh FA's. His Cowdenbeath career culminated with the winning of the Fife Cup in 1885 when Cowdenbeath beat the holders Dunfermline 2-0 in the final. John Pollock's brilliant solo counter was the highlight of the game. Soon afterwards, John left Cowdenbeath to open a drapery business in Cardiff. In 1907, he became World Bowling Champion at Crystal Palace (the trophy can be viewed in Cowdenbeath Bowling Club). As a bowler he represented Wales 66 times and was Welsh Champion in 1908. In 1903, he built and opened the Arcade Temperance Hotel and the Grand Theatre (later Slora's Picture House) in Cowdenbeath High Street. John Pollock died in Cardiff at the age of 74 in 1935. He could boast of many achievements but perhaps his proudest day was August 16 th 1924 when he returned to Cowdenbeath to witness the club he had been instrumental in founding make its bow in the Scottish League 1 st Division v Hearts.
James Pollock (Outside Left, 1880-88) – James played on the opposite flank from his brother and again represented Fifeshire on many occasions. He founded Cowdenbeath Rangers along with John after their mother bought a football in Glasgow’s Saltmarket. As their brother Davie later put it ‘ Mither decided that we’d got tae hae a ba’ so she went tae Glesgae and brocht ane back. That ba’ was really the start o’ footba’ here’ . James Pollock was a clever footballer and gave Cowden many years of stalwart service. He died in Australia in 1913. His (and John’s) sister Jenny was the grandmother of Jenny Lee (later a Labour MP and the wife of Aneurin Bevin).
Innes Ritchie (Centre half, 2003-06) – Innes Ritchie was brought up in Musselburgh and as a youngster he was signed as an apprentice professional with Chelsea. He was only one season at Stamford Bridge though before returning to Scotland. Innes joined Motherwell in 1992 and also spent some time with Bathgate Thistle. His spell at Motherwell lasted for a number of years but he was given only limited opportunity to make his mark in Premier League games. A move to East Fife then under Jimmy Bone followed and this rekindled Innes’s enthusiasm for the game. 2 seasons were spent at Old Bayview before brief spells at Berwick Rangers and Clydebank. He returned to Shielfield Park to help Berwick win promotion in 2000. 3 good seasons with the Rangers were followed by a couple of years at Arbroath. By now Innes was a seasoned campaigner with a penchant for grabbing a few goals as well. Keith Wright tried for some time to get Innes Ritchie to Central Park as he felt Innes was the type of character the team needed. Eventually, Innes did make the move and he has become a highly respected figure at Central Park. As team captain, his leadership qualities are greatly regarded both on and off the park. He is a resolute centre half and has been banging in the goals as well this season. He adds a much needed bit of experience to the Cowdenbeath side. Innes Ritchie in his time at Central Park has twice been Players’ Player of the Year and twice been Supporters Club Members’ favourite Player of the year. Innes Ritchie has now made 296 (as at 29 April 2007) Scottish league appearances and scored 27 goals in his career. On the 29th April 2006 Innes Ritchie held aloft the Third Division Championship trophy as Cowden celebrated their first league title for 67 years.
Andy Rolland (Right back, 1961-62, 1964-67, 1980-82) - Andy Rolland was a local boy who first made his mark on the Cowdenbeath football scene when he played as a winger for the noted juvenile side, Cowdenbeath Royals in 1959. Among his teammates with the Royals were Denis Jack, Tom Callaghan and Mike Judge. In 1961, the Royals, captained by Rolland, won 4 cups and the Kirkcaldy Juvenile League. After several outings with the reserves Harry Colville signed Andy for the Blue Brazil in October 1961. Andy played 6 League games at centre-forward scoring 3 goals but, to his disappointment, was freed at the end of the season. He spent 2 seasons in the junior ranks with Dundonald Bluebell until new Cowden manager. Archie Robertson resigned him in the 1964 close season. Archie had long been an admirer of the young Rolland ever since he had coached him in the Lumphinnans' Boys Brigade team. For the first half of season 1964/65, Rolland played as a forward but after the turn of the year he gave a series of excellent displays at left-half. In 1965/66 he was in and out of the side until an injury to Denis Jack saw him drafted in at left-back. Shortly afterwards Bobby Wilson was signed by Dundee and Andy at last found his true position at right-back.
Andy was one of the new breed of attacking full-backs and thrilled the Central Park crowds with his dynamic play and powerful shooting. He became a great favourite with the fans and many clubs were watching his progress. In October 1967, Dundee United, to.the dismay of Cowden's fans, paid £10,000 to take Andy to Tannadice. An illustrious 11 year spell with United then followed. Andy made over 300 League appearances for United where he was nicknamed 'Major'. He played for Dundee United in a Scottish Cup final and was capped by the Scottish League in 1975/76. In 1978, he left Tannadice for a summer season in the USA. He was a popular player with the Americans and gained a unique distinction when he was involved in a transfer swap with George Best. At the start of season 1978/79, Andy was appointed player coach of Dunfermline. His wholehearted attitude on the pitch rubbed off on his teammates and in the last game of the season he clinched promotion to Division 1 for the 'Pars' with a penalty equaliser versus closest rivals Falkirk.
However, after a few months in Division 1, club and player had a dispute over payments. Andy then left Dunfermline and returned to Central Park for the 3rd time. Shortly afterwards Pat Stanton resigned as manager and Andy took over the Central Park hotseat. He built an entertaining and skillful side which he inspired by his own personal example. Andy's pace was fading but his commitment inspired the side in their promotion challenge in season 1980/81. No Cowden fan needs reminding of the fateful day that Cowden missed out on promotion. Andy Rolland's missed penalty, his first spot-miss in 6 years, versus Queen's Park cost Cowden promotion. The club had a good start in the following season but form fell away and Andy Rolland became disillusioned by the attitude of some of the team. At the end of March 1982, player/manager Andy Rolland resigned and severed his connection with the club he had joined 21 years before. Andy could not shake off the playing bug, however, and at the age of 40 he was reinstated to the juniors with Leven Juniors. He continued to perform in the junior ranks for a few more years. Andy Rolland was a Cowdenbeath man through and through, he always gave 100%, was a classy full-back, he had a thunderous shot and was revered by the supporters. Andy will always be recalled with affection at Central Park.
Davie Ross (Outside left, 1969-76) – Davy Ross was playing with his local club Kennoway United when he scored when as trialist for Forfar Athletic. Forfar though couldn’t afford to pay him a signing on fee and once Jock Gilliard slipped him £200, Davie was happy to join Cowdenbeath. Davie made a huge impact in his first season as Cowden shocked Scottish football and strode to promotion. A traditional outside left, Davie was seen as Cowden’s answer to George Best and was very much a local hero. He starred again in Division 1 and he was to go on to score 48 goals in 223 games for Cowdenbeath. His loyalty to the club was also remarkable and he stayed with Cowden for 7 years until he was transferred to St Johnstone in 1976. He was the last of the 1970 side to depart Central Park.
At St Johnstone he was player of the year in his second season. Afterwards he belatedly signed for Forfar before retiring. Since then he played just 1 further game - a reunion match with his old Cowden 1970 teammates at Dundonald Bluebell. Davie now lives in Kirkcaldy but he says he still keeps his old strip and training gear to hand just in case Cowden need him again.
Alex Venters (Inside Left, 1930-33) – Cowdenbeath boy Alex Venters left school and took up employment with local printers Given & Paton whilst playing for Cowdenbeath based juvenile club Southend Rovers. Cowden soon signed him and farmed him out to St Andrew's United. Cowdenbeath called up the 17 year old Venters towards the end of 1930. He was soon the club’s brightest star.
Cowdenbeath FC, however, had been badly affected by the industrial recession. The club relied on transferring its stars to survive and replacing those who departed from a conveyor belt of new talent. Cowden managed to resist all overtures for Venters until season 1933/34 when Alex Venters was selected to represent Scotland v Ireland. Cowden, however, were rooted at the foot of the table and with their finances at a low ebb had little option but to sell their prize asset. £2,000 took him to Ibrox Park at the age of 20 after scoring 37 goals in 95 top flight league games
Venters possessed the traditional virtues of the Scottish inside-forward allied to an impressive physique. Although only 5ft 7ins tall and 11st 9lbs, Venters was phenomenally fit and strong. He added a harder edge to his game at Ibrox and this coupled to his undoubted talent made him a player who was to terrorise opposition defences for years to come. He was at his peak in season 1938/39 when he was leading scorer in the 1 st Division with 35 goals. In the Ne'erday match at Ibrox, he scored the winner in Rangers famous 2-1 win over Celtic in front of the Ibrox record attendance of 118,730.
Venters was only 26 when war broke out in September 1939 and had won 2 Scottish caps v England to add to the one gained with Cowdenbeath, 2 Scottish Cup winners medals and 3 League championships with Rangers as well as several League caps. His Wartime haul of honours was even more impressive and included 4 wartime championships and 4 Southern League Cup wins. He also made 3 further appearances in the dark blue of Scotland. After the War ended, Venters was transferred to Third Lanark in February 1946. He had scored 207 goals in 420 games for Rangers. A year later, Alex left Cathkin and joined Blackburn Rovers for a £1,000 fee. Then he ended his career with Raith Rovers.
For a time he followed the traditional ex-player's route as mine host at the Railway Tavern at Buckhaven. Later, he returned to his original trade in the printing industry as a linotype operator in the Edinburgh office of the Scottish Daily Mail. On Thursday, April 30 th 1959, Alex Venters was preparing to leave for night duty on the paper when he collapsed and died from a sudden heart attack at his home in Park Street, Cowdenbeath. More recently, Alex Venters memory was perpetuated in Cowdenbeath when the playing field at Park Street was renamed the ' Alex Venters Memorial Park' - his is a legend which still endures.
Rab Walls (Centre Forward, 1937-45) - Leith born Rab Walls started out with a local juvenile side, Leith Emmett. He then moved up into the juniors and played for the Prestonpans club, Wemyss Athletic. In 1928, he signed for Hearts. 2 seasons at Tynecastle brought 7 League appearances and 3 goals but Rab failed to establish himself in the side. Rab then moved to St Bernard's where he was a prolific marksman at either centre-forward or outside-right. He was renowned for his powerful shooting which several times knocked out opponents unlucky enough to get in the way of a ball launched from his boot. Sometimes goalkeepers who attempted to save were carried into the back of the net with the ball in their grasp. In Rab's spare time, he won acclaim as one of Edinburgh's finest exponents of billiards and snooker.
Hibs had been impressed by Walls and signed him for season 1932/33 to assist in their quest to escape from the 2 nd Division. Rab then helped Hibs to win the 2 nd Division championship. Over the following 3 seasons, he notched 28 goals in 93 1 st Division games for Hibs. He left Easter Road in 1936 and spent season 1936/37 with Aldershot. He scored 9 goals in 20 league games for ‘the Shots’.
Cowden then brought Rab back to Scotland and he became the idol of the local fans with some extraordinary scoring feats. 34 league goals in 1937/38 were followed by a club record of 54 league goals in Cowden's runaway Division 2 championship success in 1938/39. Rab's tally of 54 league goals has only been bettered once in Scottish football history. Rab then refused terms for 1939/40 and Watford were interested in signing him. However, Rab returned to the fold after the outbreak of War. He scored 15 goals in 15 games in the wartime league before Cowden closed down in February 1940. Rab had scored 103 league goals in 79 games for Cowden with 15 hat-tricks or better (including 6 goals in a match v Stenhousemuir).
Rab then had a brief spell back with Hibs and also turned out for Aberdeen. After the War, in which he had seen active service in Greece. Rab played one final game for Cowden at the age of 37 in November 1945. Some time later, Rab Walls emigrated to Canada for a time but he was in due course to return home to Scotland. Late in 1992 came the news that Rab had died at the age of 84 - a true Cowdenbeath great was gone'.
George ‘Doddy’ Wilson (Outside Left, 1902-03) - Doddy Wilson was perhaps the best winger ever to don a Cowdenbeath jersey. He was born in Lochgelly in 1884 and came from a real football family. In 1902, Cowdenbeath signed Geordie from Buckhaven. The chunky Wilson was extremely skilful and exceptionally fast. There was no doubt that he was destined for the top on the evidence of his displays at North End Park. After 1 season he was sold to Hearts. In 1904, George won his first cap for Scotland. Then, in April 1906, it was George who scored the only goal of the final to take the Scottish Cup to Tynecastle. George was sold to Everton and later moved to Newcastle. At St James’s Park, he took his haul of Scotland caps to 6 and helped United win both the League championship and FA Cup. In 1915, he returned to Scotland and played for Raith Rovers and East Fife. He died in Vancouver in 1960 aged 76.
Craig ‘Toorie’ Winter (Midfield, 1994-2004) – Craig Winter’s father hailed from Cowdenbeath and was nicknamed Toorie. It was only natural that when Craig joined Cowden he too would end up with the same nickname. Craig was a Dunfermline lad though he was once Cowden mascot as a boy. A product of Hutchie Vale he had spells with Hibs and Raith Rovers as a youngster before joining Cowdenbeath. He was to go on to become a real local hero at Central Park. He played for Cowden in some difficult times before enjoying the tremendous promotion success of 2001. It was fitting that Craig as Cowden captain should rise to head home the last minute winner v Brechin City which clinched Cowden’s promotion in dramatic fashion. Toorie won the Cowdenbeath Player of the Year award a couple of years before that and he was a vital player in the Cowden line up. His hard working and hard tackling gave so much to the team. He had a real never say die spirit and also had a fair degree of ability. Craig though it must be admitted was prone to find his way into the referee’s book. After 10 years with Cowden, in his testimonial year, Craig was signed by 1 st Division Brechin City. More recently Craig has moved on to join Dumbarton. Craig Winter made 286 League appearances for Cowdenbeath FC. Only two men have played in more matches for Cowden. Such loyalty and longevity is rare in today’s football world. Toorie was a true Cowden man.