Bob Birrell (Wing half, 1912-18) - Bob Birrell was born in 1890 in Crossgates and was signed from junior club Kingseat Athletic in 1912. Birrell was a stocky, tenacious tackler who always gave 100% plus and he was the tireless powerhouse behind Cowdenbeath's 2nd Division championship successes of 1914 and 1915 together with their Eastern League titles of 1917 and 1918. His aggressive play though was not always appreciated by opposition fans. In 1918, Cowden shut down due to the War and Bob Birrell joined Hearts. Bob had 4 seasons at Tynecastle. He was honoured by being capped at right-back by the Scottish League in 1921 and was chosen as reserve for the full Scotland side in that same year. Bob then finished his senior career with St Mirren but had to call it a day after he picked up a bad injury. After his retirement, during the miners' strike in 1926, Bob was one of the leading lights behind the formation of a junior club in his home village, Crossgates Primrose. He died in Halbeath in 1956.