Tommy Neilson

The sad news has reached us of the death of Tommy Neilson who played for Cowdenbeath in season 1968/69 before emigrating to South Africa. Tommy was deployed as an old head in the half back line by Andy Matthew – a role he performed with aplomb. Our sincere condolences go to Tommy’s family and friends. We understand that Tommy passed away from pancreatic cancer in Johannesburg, South Africa, on February 10th, 2018. Tommy is pictured in this Cowdenbeath line up (second from right in the back row).

Tommy Neilson was born in Gorebridge and started out with Arniston Rangers. He joined Dundee United from East Fife in the late 1950s and made 300 plus appearances for the Tannadice club as it rose from obscurity to prominence in Scottish football. Tommy was also one of four footballing brothers one of whom, Jackie, won the Scottish Cup with St Mirren in 1959 and was capped by the Scottish League.