THE Cowdenbeath Football Club community was shocked by the death of a loyal fundraiser and supporter who sadly passed away last week at just 36-years-old.

The Cowden board, and others at Central Park, were stunned and saddened when the news of Zoe Smith’s passing at the age of only 36 was confirmed on Saturday evening.

Club chairman Donald Findlay had spoken to her just a day earlier when she was disappointed that she would miss the match at Stenhousemuir.

One of the most remarkable financial contributions at Central Park in recent years was made by the absolutely indefatigable Zoe. Her amazing fund-raising activities, despite some major health concerns, have been second to none in helping the Cowdenbeath FC cause.

Arduous challenges involving running, swimming, climbing have all been tackled by Zoe with real gusto. There is little she would shy away from tackling for a good cause.

Zoe had three footballing loves – Rangers, the Scotland national team and Cowdenbeath FC – a team she came late to due to her close friendship with Donald – dating back to his days at Ibrox. As far as football goes – Zoe had an all-consuming love of the game – she was a supporter who put the fan in fanatic.

Zoe’s A-list of contacts was also legendary. She had a hot line to famous Scots, footballers, boxers, darts players, snooker players, celebs, etc.

She seemed to know every referee and linesman in Scotland and many opposition players when they visited Central Park.

On once special occasion, the young woman even flew out to an away game as a member of the Tartan Army on the plane with the Scotland team.

It was not just matches, however, as she regularly attended a whirlwind of functions all over the UK involving Rangers, and other sporting and charity events.

Her sheer energy and enthusiasm, despite her health issues, was mind boggling to all who knew her.

She was a long standing member of the Union Jack Rangers Supporters Club in Edinburgh and over the years Zoe was close to many Rangers stars, both past and present, including Sandy Jardine, Johnny Hubbard and Ally Dawson.

Most notable, however, was her devotion to and friendship with the late Fernando Ricksen, who championed the fight against Motor Neurone Disease.

Cowdenbeath secretary David Allan said: “Zoe helped raise funds for so many causes and she singlehandedly raised no less than £17,500 for the Blue Brazil’s Club 135 appeal. That was an absolutely astonishing effort.

“We can only thank Zoe from the bottom of our hearts. She undertook the Tough Mudder Challenge, plus swimming events in Loch Lomond, Bardowie Loch and the River Forth to raise sponsorship monies – much of which was contributed by an amazing array of big names who she persuaded to put up a tenner.

“Both the Club and the 100 Club, at their Sportsman’s Dinners, were able to offer a tremendous range of autographed auction items secured by Zoe from her fabulous list of contacts and friends. Her main regret was that she failed to get anything from golfer Tiger Woods.

“These auction items raised another five figure sum for CFC”.

David added: “We will look to honour Zoe’s memory in some tangible and permanent way but as we gathered on Saturday at Central Park for a minute’s silence in honour of Zoe, we recalled all that she did for Cowdenbeath FC – and even more importantly the friendships that she forged at our club.

“She truly felt part of a family at Central Park – she got what this club was really all about and gave so much back to it and its fans. Zoe made a difference by being her very own unique self. The name Zoe is Greek for Life – she really had a zest for life”.