Farewell, Toorie

Club legend Craig Winter's time as a Cowdenbeath player has ended after both parties agreed to terminate his contract, which was due to expire in the summer, early.

The club's outfield record appearance holder has not featured regularly this season and, despite turning 35 last summer, remains competitive as ever and not content to sit on the sidelines. His quest for first team football led to a short loan spell with East Stirlingshire earlier in the season and his spell at the Shire means that, due to an SPL rule, he is not able to sign for another senior club during the 2011/12 season. The club understands that he is expected to sign for local junior side Hill of Beath Hawthorn in the coming days.

But it is a case of farewell and not goodbye as 'Toorie' will be  helping out Derek Nicholson with the under 19s as he starts to work his way to towards his B coaching licence. There is also the small matter of his testimonial season with a number of events to look forward to including a dinner in the Lochgelly Town Hall on 21st April and a charity football match at Central Park on 8th April (in aid of Cancer Research). Contact Stuart Juner for further details.

'Toorie' has been a magnificent servant for the Blue Brazil over two spells and made his 400th appearance for the club against Stirling Albion earlier in the season. He was a key part of the promotion successes in 2000/01 and 2009/10 and is a member of the Blue Brazi Hall of Fame. He orginally joined the club in 1994 as a raw 18-year old before re-signing in 2009 after spells in between with Brechin City, Dumbarton, Raith Rovers and Forfar Athletic.

Best wishes, Toorie, from everyone at Central Park and good luck with your future playing and coaching career (hopefully a successful coaching career lies ahead at Central Park!).

Photography (c) Jillian McFarlane.