COWDENBEATH are mourning the loss of a former hero who was "unstoppable" in a season where they almost clinched a remarkable promotion.

The club have announced today (Thursday) the sad news that Jim 'Gunner' Liddle, who spent five years with the Blue Brazil, has recently passed away, at the age of 66, at his home in Edinburgh.

Signed in 1978 from Whitehill Welfare, the Penicuik-based striker would go on to be an outstanding player for the club in a period that saw them constantly challenging for promotion from the Second Division.

After establishing himself in the starting line-up, Liddle went on to score 64 goals in 184 games for Cowden, with 22 of them coming in the 1980/81 campaign.

Club historian, David Allan, recalled: "We had a front line at that time that had no problem scoring goals – Geordie Hunter, Ian Harley, Gunner, Jimmy Marshall and Billy Steele.

"He got better and better as the seasons went by and started his second season with an opening day hat-trick v Montrose. He was absolutely tremendous in the ill-fated 1980/81 season.

"He went on the rampage in many games in that campaign and opponents found him unstoppable. Coincidentally, our programme for this Saturday’s Lowland League game with Bo'ness United recalls one of Jimmy’s finest performances thus, 'A Scottish Cup run and dreadful winter weather left Cowden with a schedule of 16 league games to be played in 52 days – that was three matches a week for seven weeks for a part-time outfit. No other team in Britain faced such a demanding match schedule.

"That they came so close to promotion is actually a tribute to manager Andy Rolland’s fine team. On March 14 1981, Cowden were 12th in the 14-team league, with 27 points from 25 games. Alloa and Queen’s Park were first and second with 39 and 38 points respectively from 32 games. The match on 21 March v Alloa at Central Park was therefore a vital one.

"It was an epic encounter. Billy Steele was at his impish best and he put Cowden ahead. Alan Holt though equalised – the same two players repeated their previous feats to make it 2-2. The game entered its final 10 minutes when Jim Liddle went into the phone box and re-emerged as Superman!

"In one of the most remarkable performances I ever witnessed, Gunner scored a hat-trick in nine minutes, as well as having a goal disallowed, and another effort hitting the bar. No wonder that Jim and his teammates danced in the rain on the tarmac in front of the stand when he made it 5-2'."

Despite Liddle's goalscoring prowess, Cowden missed out on promotion on the final day of the campaign, and David continued: "Big, strong and good in the air, Gunner also had a lethal shot and was an ideal centre.

"Arsenal came up to watch him. In January 1983, an offer from Hibs was turned down – Pat Stanton had had him training at Easter Road for three months. A bid from Queen of the South had also been knocked back. But then Forfar secured his services for a £15,000 fee.

"The key to this move was that the Loons were able to fix up Jim, who was unemployed, with a job. Jimmy had played 184 games for Cowden and scored 64 goals.

"Jim became a hero too at Station Park, where he banged in the goals with aplomb – and Forfar have also paid him a fulsome tribute this week.

"In 1984, Forfar won the Second Division with Liddle scoring 22 League goals and being named Player of the Year in Division Two.

"Then when with Forfar in the First Division, he was selected to represent Scotland in a semi-professional tournament in Holland, which included the host nation, England and Italy. Scotland, managed by Terry Christie, were the tournament winners.

"He later played for Hamilton in the Premier League, where he scored a creditable three goals in just six games, and then Meadowbank for a club record fee. His attention though was diverted to his business interests as a hotelier in Penicuik.

"After a two game loan spell at Cowdenbeath, he then played in the Belgian lower leagues for Lorrain Alton. In his Forfar days he had interested a side in the Belgian First Division – Kortrijk – and a deal involving a record fee for Forfar was concluded. It all ended in tears though as Kortrijk failed to come up with the cash”.

David added: "In more recent years Jimmy had had health worries.

"Jim, though, was a big personality and he loved to recall the escapades of his playing days and to regale listeners with tales of his glory days in football.

"Jim leaves us at the age of just 66 but leaves us with some indelible memories.

"Our condolences go to all of Jim’s friends and family and we warmly remember the days when Gunner led our front line."