A LEGENDARY member of Cowdenbeath's iconic top flight team of the early 1970s has passed away.
On Monday, the Blue Brazil received the sad news that Colin McCullie, who was part of the side that competed in Scottish football's highest level in season 1970/71, had died suddenly.
His son, Tony, contacted the club to advise of Colin's passing, in the company of his wife and friends, and told David Allan, Cowden's secretary and historian, of how his father spoke fondly of his time at Central Park.
Colin lived in Carron, on the outskirts of Falkirk, and was playing for local side, Gairdoch United, when the midfielder was signed for Cowdenbeath by Andy Matthew in 1968.
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Initially, he was farmed out to junior side, Dunfermline Jubilee Athletic, before making a significant impact in the Cowden 'A' team which won the East of Scotland League title in the 1969/70 campaign.
Colin had since moved into the forward line, with few defenders able to match him for pace, and netted 35 goals for the reserves that year, whilst also making a couple of first team appearances as Cowden won promotion to Division One.
As a reward for their efforts, the players were given a two-week break in Majorca, which was his first trip abroad, before he was brought into the side for the Blue Brazil's Division One opener.
"Our sincere condolences go out to Tony and all of Colin’s friends and family," David said.
"Colin was held in high regard at Cowdenbeath and many of us recall Colin in those heady days back in the early 1970s.
"For the opening fixture of Cowden’s First Division campaign, John Dickson was out suspended and Colin was brought into the team against Dundee, and he was named man of the match in the Sunday Mail and News of the World.
"Colin also played for us in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden against Rangers. Cowden were edged out 2-0, but were denied a stonewall penalty when Ronnie McKinnon downed Colin in the box!
"Colin’s greatest day with Cowden though came in that top flight campaign at Shawfield (against Clyde). He scored a memorable hat-trick in a 3-1 Cowden victory – those who were there have not forgotten it. This was the high spot for Colin at Central Park.
"In 1972, Alex Smith signed him for Stenhousemuir. He played for the Warriors for a number of years after being converted into an overlapping full back. Then Colin had spells with Broxburn, Raith Rovers and Camelon. Colin then did something unusual for a player – he became a man in black – a referee!
"A highlight came when he went with Bob Valentine and Jim Renton to run the line in a European tie in Poland at Widzew Lodz. Colin later moved with his work up north and officiated in the Highland League. He also did his coaching badges.
"He coached the youth team at Forres Mechanics and then managed Forres Thistle for a couple of years."
In later years, Colin returned back home to Falkirk, working with Calor Gas, and linked-up with his former team-mates when a delayed 50th anniversary reunion of the 1970 was held last year, a get-together Tony said his father loved.
"It was a real delight to have him join us for the delayed 50th anniversary reunion of the 1970 team at Wee Jimmies in 2023," David added.
"He was able to meet up once again with his team-mates from that very special time at Central Park. He gave us all some golden memories back in the day."
Colin's passing comes after the death of another Cowden hero, Jim 'Gunner' Liddle, last month.
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