Source: ScottishFitba
Source: FOOTYMAD
Been There, Bought The T-Shirt
It's a big deal at the Fife Maracana when The Pars are put to the sword ! They've even printed a T-Shirt to celebrate Cowdenbeath's first home League win over local rivals Dunfermline Athletic since 1977. BLUE BRAZIL 4 PARScelona 2. It might seem a bit over the top to football types outside Central Fife but it means a lot to Cowdenites when the posh neighbours from six miles up the road are shown the way to go home. Tuesday night's victory at Central Park was not only the first home win over the Pars in the SFL for 36 years it was also the first time The Blue Brazil had netted four against Athletic at home since 1976, and that was in the now defunct Spring Cup, when the 'Beath avenged a 1-0 defeat at East End Park with a 4-0 win in a section that also included Queens Park and Hamilton. The 70's were a very different time of course. Cowdenbeath did remain unbeaten against The Pars at Central Park in all competitions throughout that decade but the class of '77 provided the pinnacle of derby defeats over a Dunfermline side that, at the time, shared Second Division status with their Cowden country cousins. The 2013 Blue Brazilians have inspired a T-Shirt but what of the team that beat The Pars in '77? For those too young to remember here is the Big Match revisted. Sept 1st 1977. Scottish League Division 2. Cowdenbeath 3 (Harley 2 and Hunter) Dunfermline Athletic 1 (Mullin) Attendance 2,500 Cowdenbeath Team 1. Ernie McGarr Prolific Goalie in 'The Cat ' mode. Gained a couple of caps for Scotland while with Aberdeen but also played for The Pars, East Fife and Cowdenbeath. 2. Jim Thomson Another 'veteran' in the Cowden team of '77. Also played Right Half on occasion (number 4 for our younger viewers) Trusty midfielder and defender who sported the popular Zapata moustache of the day. 3. Jim Markey Another ex-Pars defender who found a place at Central Park after being moved on from East End Park. Outstanding on the day against his former side. 4.Brian Purdie Never a household name outside Cowdenbeath but another solid member of the class of '77 who played his part at Central Park for a couple of years as a defender and midfielder. 5. Robert Aitken Giant Centre-Half who saw off all before him in black and white on the day of Cowden's last home league win over The Pars before Tuesday's famous 4-2 win. 6. David Fair Sadly died in an accident in the early 1980's when still a young man. A Billy Bremner type midfielder who was remembered for a wicked sense of humour and a no-nonsense, all action game. 7. Ian Harley Two goals on the day against The Pars, the first after just 30 seconds, also played Centre Forward during his Cowden career as well as fulfilling the 'flying winger' role. 8. George Hunter Often a goalscorer for Cowden in the late 70's and got the other goal in the 3-1 win over The Pars in '77. The West of Scotland man was as much known at Cowdenbeath for his Mother who often sat in the Central Park stand giving various referees stick. 9. Bert Graham Ex-Raith Rovers striker who played out his career at Cowdenbeath and almost got a fourth for 'Beath on September 1st '77 10. Billy Steele Later opened a Bookies in Fife. A prolific scorer for Cowden throughout the period 1977-80 after being released by Rangers and succumbing to a Kevin Keegan perm. 11. Jimmy Marshall Often listed in 'all time' fave Cowden sides. Later went onto play for Raith Rovers and Luton Town when they were still an English League side. 12. Martin Caithness Local boy Martin replaced Jimmy Marshall as a sub. Found a home with his home town club shortly after being released by Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest in the summer of '77. 13. John Jobson Only 2 Subs allowed in 1977 and the unused Sub for Cowden was the brother of punk frontman Richard Jobson (The Skids) now known as a film Director and media critic as well as a Celtic supporter despite hailing from Dunfermline. Striker John Jobson went onto become something of a cult hero at Meadowbank Thistle (now Livingston). Manager- Frank Connor An ex-Celtic Goalie but a Manager in the style of Jock Wallace. Loud but often effective and Connor also saw off Alex Ferguson during his time at Central Park as 2nd Division Cowden beat First Division St Mirren (managed by Fergie) 3-0 in the Third Round of the Scottish Cup in season 1976/7. Later managed Raith Rovers and Berwick Rangers and was also involved with coaching Motherwell and Celtic in a colourful SFL and SPL career which spread to the late 1980's. The Pars team on Sept 1st 1977 was Whyte, Mercer, K.Thomson, Scott, Dunn, (Sub Robertson),Meakin, Hall, Bowie, Mullin, Donnelly,Morrison (Sub Georgeson)
