ALL at Cowdenbeath FC were saddened this week to hear the news of the sudden passing of former player and leading scorer Joe Connelly at the weekend.

Joe lived in Newmills and was often to be seen out on his bike - he was a fit 72 year old.

Said club director and local football historian, David Allan: "Joe, of course, originally hailed from Valleyfield and he was the older brother of Celtic and Scotland star George Connelly.

"Big Josie was a miner and played for the local junior side Valleyfield Colliery. He played as a trialist for Forfar before having a short spell with East Stirlingshire.

"After returning to Valleyfield Colliery, Blue Brazil manager Archie Robertson signed Joe for Cowden early in season 1967/68.

" Joe was Cowdenbeath's top scorer that season but was released at the end of the campaign. He was 6 foot 2 inches tal, as befits a centre forward. He was a little on the slow side but was very clever with the ball at his feet - 'Nutmeg Joe' his Cowden team-mates called him.

"After leaving Central Park, he scored goals regularly back in the juniors with Valleyfield, Oakley United and Jubilee Athletic".

Our article from the Cowdenbeath Advertiser of December 15 1967 shows how Joe Connelly was regarded by fans at the time when it stated in the report of a 2-0 home win over Berwick Rangers: Sugden and Connelly, the two first-half marksmen claimed the honours in attack."

Added David Allan: "Sincere condolences from everyone at Central Park go out to Joe's family and friends".