Zoe Smith

The Cowdenbeath Board and others at Central Park were stunned, shocked and saddened as the news of Zoe Smith’s passing at the age of only 36 was confirmed on Saturday evening. Our chairman Donald Findlay had spoken to her just a day earlier when she was disappointed that she would miss Saturday’s match.

One of the most remarkable 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 of course had 3 footballing loves – Rangers FC, the Scotland 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. She 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 though, 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. Lockdown did not suit her outgoing nature and personality. Gregarious and tactile it seemed everyone in Scottish football knew Zoe. She was a long standing member of the Union Jack Rangers Supporters Club in Edinburgh. Zoe was close to many Rangers stars both past and present including Sandy Jardine, Johnny Hubbard and Ally Dawson. Most notable of course was her devotion to and friendship with the late Fernando Ricksen.

Zoe helped raise funds for so many causes and she singlehandedly raised no less than £17,500 for Cowdenbeath FC’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 Sportsmans 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 Tiger Woods. These auction items raised another five figure sum for CFC.

We will look to honour Zoe’s memory in some tangible and permanent way but as we gather on Saturday at Central Park for a minute’s silence in honour of Zoe, please recall 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.