COWDENBEATH- THE KINGS OF FIFE

Don't mess with us!
Cowdenbeath FC does get a few mentions in previous blogs. There have been an number of historic moments when the Ayrshire based team has been recognised; their nicknames don't give many clues: Cowden (not very exciting), The Miners (obvious) and then more recently, The Blue Brazil (why?). Founded in 1881, the "Cowden" play in the Scottish League Division 2 now.

In 1880, Mrs Margaret Pollock, a local lady,raised enthusiasm amongst the local lads by buying a football. "Mither decided that we'd got tae hae a ba so she went tae Glesgae and brocht ane back. That ba was really the start o' footba' here"....somebody quoted!

Bear in mind that the Scots had been playing football since the 1870s. If you go to the club website, which is quite attractive, you can buy three volumes of the club's history including The Signalmen (1880-1940), The Miners (1940-2000) and the Blue Brazil (the Present) IRONY.
A snip at £13.50 and 52 pages as well!

http://www.cowdenbeathfc.com/index.php?act=viewNews

In the 1870s, the village was a mining settlement, which was beginning to grow in size as ther demand for fuel increased. The Pollock family from Old Cumnock (really!) in Ayrshire, bought a football for her large family in June 1880. On the strength of that, Cowdenbeath Rangers was founded, alongside Cowden Albert Cricket Club. Playing at Jubilee Park, the club joined the Fifeshire FA and had competing senior teams nearby: Dunfermline, Burntisland Thistle, Kirkcaldy Wanderers, Lassodie, Blairadam and Lochgelly Athletic. Names to conjour with!
In 1885 The Miners won the East Fife Cupbeating the holders, Dunfermline 2-0.
In 1886-7 they made their way to the 4th Rd of the Scottish FA Cup and found new grounds at North End Park.
In 1904-5 they turned professional and played in the Scottish League with a debut game v Leith Athletic which the Miners won 1-0.
Left Back, John Walker played his first international match for Scotland and was soon transfered to Swindon!
In 1917 the club moved to the Central Park Stadium, their present home. Next a few mins on Cowdenbeath FC!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QN92AKN-Fc

They have never won any major titles in their history, although there have a few minor triumphs!

Longest stay y manager since the war, Andy Matthew, 1968-74  6 years!
They have had 25 managers since 1985, including 3 in 2017.
This season it was looking great for them/best for years...until the virus got the league cancelled!