HALF a century ago, Cowdenbeath saw themselves very much involved in the aftermath of the Ibrox Disaster, when several Fifers were among the 66 people who died.

It was a time when the Blue Brazil were playing all the top teams in Scotland, and club historian David Allan, this week looked back at that time when crowds of over 10,000 were packing into Central Park.

New Year's Day of 1971 found the Fifers in the top league, facing a local derby against rivals Dunfermline Athletic, and in what would seem incredible now they also played the next day against Hibs at Easter Road.

A win and a draw boosted Cowdenbeath's chances in a campaign where they battled against the drop but while they were playing out a 2-2 draw with the Edinburgh side on January 2, a catastrophe was taking place in Glasgow.

David said: "The eyes of Scottish football were elsewhere on this fateful day when 66 people died in the Ibrox Disaster.

“Five young lads from Markinch, in Fife, were among the victims.

“Earlier that day they had walked, along with their Celtic supporting pals, to the CISWO Club in Glenrothes, where the Rangers and Celtic Supporters buses picked them up.

"The small town of Markinch was devastated as were many families throughout Scotland.

“Cowdenbeath had sold 15,000 tickets for their next home match v Rangers on January 9.

"However, everyone at Ibrox was devastated by the tragedy.

“The players and management visited the injured and went on to attend the funerals of all the victims.

"Fife Police meantime visited Central Park to insist on extra crush barriers being installed for the Rangers game.

"However, Rangers then asked the Scottish League Management Committee to cancel its first and reserve team matches against Cowdenbeath on that next Saturday.

“Cowdenbeath agreed to that and the league duly assented.

"Willie Waddell announced: ‘We feel that the place to restart is Ibrox Stadium. We will be holding two minutes' silence before the game. In the circumstances, we would not like to subject any other club's venue to such an ordeal’.

“The Rangers (and Celtic) players attended many, many funerals during that week and Cowdenbeath were represented at the funerals of the five Markinch youngsters by manager Andy Matthew."

Cowden had beaten the Pars in the New Year Day derby, which fell on a Friday, with 7,202 fans packing into Central Park to watch a match played on a frozen, rock hard pitch.

David recalled that Matthew had strengthened the squad with the signings of Davie Cairns (Forfar), Davie Marshall (Airdrie) and Frank Harper (East Stirling), although they fell behind when Dunfermline new boy, Joe McBride, provided a first foot they didn't want with the opening goal.

In the second half they turned it round when Marshall lobbed the ball home from 20 yards in the 63rd minute and, two minutes later, John Dickson's effort bounced back off the crossbar and Davie Ross headed in what proved to be the winner to spark joyous scenes at full time as they bested their old rivals.

At Easter Road the next day Cowden were up against it until the 32nd minute when Hibs goalie Roy Baines flapped at a corner, under pressure from Marshall, and helped the ball into his own net.

There was a further shock for Hibs when Ross repeated his goalscoring contribution of the day before to make it 2-0, with an awkwardly bouncing left foot shot from the edge of the box.

David recalled: "Cowden were in complete control and it seemed as though they were going to run out easy winners.

"Kenny Davidson was the only player showing much enterprise in the Hibs line up. Late in the game he won a penalty when Davie Cairns stopped his progress by handling the ball. Cowdenbeath boss to be, John Blackley, made it 2-1 from the spot.

“Then in 86 minutes keeper Billy McGann was caught out by a hasty pass back.

"He slipped on the icy pitch and ended up putting the ball straight into the path of Davidson who gratefully tapped home the equaliser. A 2-2 draw was the ultimate outcome but it didn’t stop Hibs being booed off the field."

Scottish football entered into a state of mourning after 66 fans died at Ibrox and, after the match with Rangers was postponed, Cowden resumed their campaign with a visit to Kilmarnock, when referee Eddie Pringle made a curious decision to allow both sides to play in blue and white stripes!

David said: "Killie hit the front after 27 minutes. A cunningly flighted corner by Tommy McLean saw John Gilmour rise and head home.

“Andy Matthew was furious as Andy Kinnell had thought Gilmour was a Cowden defender due to the similar colours."

John Dickson levelled and Kilmarnock changed to white jerseys at half-time. It seemed to pay off as they netted again and a last minute 'goal' from Ross was chalked off for offside. leaving Matthew distinctly unimpressed.

Next was a long journey to meet Highland League outfit Inverness Clachnacuddin in the Scottish Cup, a 3-0 win for the Fifers with goals from Marshall and two from Dickson.

Cowdenbeath battled on and their brave fight to stay up saw some more great wins but eventually they ran out of steam and were relegated, although those two league wins over the Pars were long remembered by the fans.