Central Park

Dubbed by some supporters as the Fife Maracanã because of its similar oval shape to the Maracanã stadium in Brazil, Central Park has been the home of Cowdenbeath Football Club since 1917. Before this, they played at North End Park, just off the North end of the High Street. Football was still played here up until the last few years, but plans are to develop this in to a superstore in the near future.

Cowden moved to Central Park at the beginning of the 1917-1918 Eastern League season, in that inaugural season at Central Park, Cowden finished joint champions with Dundee. In 1921 a 120 yard grandstand was erected that would accommodate 3500 supporters, as can be seen in the picture below.

 An older photo of Central Park (Picture from www.cowdenbeath.net)

Thousands of supporters squeezed into Central Park in the 20’s and 30’s as Cowden played top flight football, how older supporters must crave for those days to return. In 1949, Central Park recorded its highest ever attendance of 25,000, when Rangers rolled into town for a league cup match, Rangers won the match 3-1. Ironically, the last five figure attendance was for a league cup match again, against Rangers, with the Gers repeating the 3-1 score line. In 1968, the floodlights were put into place, and Celtic played Cowden to mark this.

Many of the surrounding parts of Central Park were once owned by the club, but where sold to Fife Council. These areas are the ground behind the main terracing where the red ash pitch is, and the wasteland behind the west terracing which was sold in the late eighties. The car park outside the main entrance to Central Park was owned by the club until around the mid nineties, but this was also sold off to Fife Council who re energised the piece of land.

The west terracing was for years a covered enclosure, nicknamed the Coo Shed, but with decline from the elements, the roof of the enclosure was blown away in 1983. This part of the ground was reduced in height and its look drastically changed in the nineties. I never got to experience the Coo Shed, but I do remember standing at the highest point at the back wall to see over the fence around the track in the late 80’s and 90’s before taking my regular place by the pie shop on the main terracing.

The main terracing, where most supporters congregate at matches today, was once just ash and some railway sleepers, in 1982, concrete terracing was built.

 A view from this terracing (minus the tall fence) sometime in 1983 is seen in the picture below, which also shows how the old stand used to look like. (The contributor of this photos is Richard Webb, Copyright Richard Webb and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence)

In 1985, a minor fire broke out in the main stand, but it survived this. In 1991, the main stand was given an overhaul, with recladding work carried out, but on the 25^th March, 1992 a large part of the stand was destroyed by fire, with the changing rooms and other facilities all gone, Cowden and visiting teams had to change in portacabins for nearly two years. I once used the portacabin when I took part Cowden’s soccer schools with Graham Buckley in the summer of 1992, and no wonder you heard stories of players going home right after matches , they were well cramped. Half the stand was saved and it still stands today.

 The damage the main stand suffered from the fire in 1992
(Pictures from www.gmpscotland.co.uk website)

Clearing and building of the new stand started shortly afterwards, but it was almost two years before it would be completed. The new stand was officially opened on March 29^th, 1995. Just over 3 years on from the fire, when a Rangers XI outplayed Cowden to win 5-0. The stand was named the Alex Menzies stand.

Most recently, the floodlight lamps were replaced, as the old ones did not have the required lux set out by the SFA, the new ones were installed in November 2010 bringing it up to the required 500 lux.

The ground was also used for Greyhound racing some years ago, but was replaced by stock car racing around 1965. In 1989 GMP Racewall moved to Central Park, this also brought about the concrete wall that surrounds the track. The stock cars still use the stadium today.

A move away from Central park for the football club is still something being looked at for the future, it will be a sad time when that day finally comes along. It would feel quite strange not seeing Central there anymore, it got me thinking the other day when I was at the Muirton Asda in Perth, where St Johnstone’s old stadium used to be, how you have so many memories of a place, then to see something else replace it. But at least we will have the memories with us forever of seeing different era’s of Cowdenbeath teams to have graced Central Park, and also promotion and title winning parties. But sometimes things have to change to move forward. Hopefully, the old place will see one more title season before it has completed its service.

 How Central Park looks today (Picture from www.cowdenbeath.net)

Raith Rovers 2 Cowdenbeath 1

Well, Cowden could not repeat last year’s 1-0 win in the same cup, as John Baird, who was the thorn in Cowden’s side in last season’s league encounters, helped himself to a double. Although Cowden looked the better side in the first half, they could not repeat the form they showed in the pre season’s matches.

It was a beautiful day, but that was not enough to attract the crowds which these games usually pull in, maybe something to do with the entrance fee? Official attendance is given as 1098, but looked well less than that.

Cowden came out in their new away kit to a chorus of when the sun shines, but within a minute into the game, Toorie Winter miss kicks, but keeper Bejaoui saves us from any danger. Cowden are looking decent on the break, but Raith are making it hard for us to break them down. Both teams’s had a few chances, but the first half finished at deadlock, 0-0.

Raith look a different side in the second half, as they dominate possession, and they take the lead through that man John Baird ten minutes into the second half, as he takes the chance to head the ball into the net at the back post from a Joe Hamill cross. It’s all Raith, and they double their advantage in 80 minutes, with Baird again, as he pounces to stroke the ball home after Hamill’s volley cannon’s of the post.

Cowden look down and out, but they slowly come back in to the match, and grab a goal with six minutes left, when Lewis Coult rises to head home a Dean Brett cross. Raith nearly added a third when Winter was short with a pass back, but the Raith striker shot wide.

So Cowden go out of the Ramsden’s cup at the first hurdle, Cowden’s attention will now turn to this Saturday’s Communities Scottish League Cup tie versus Stenhousemuir at Central, kick off 3pm.

Ramsdens Cup, First Round
Saturday 23^rd July, 2011
Starks Park, Kirkcaldy

RAITH ROVERS  (0)2    COWDENBEATH (0)1
Baird (55,80)                 Coult (83)
 Att: 1098

1   Bejaoui,
2   Brett,
3   Adamson,
4   Cameron (Miller,84),
5   Winter,
6   Mbu,
7   Morton,
8   Robertson     ,
9   Ramsay (Coult,62),
10 Stewart          ,
11 Linton (Milne,72).

Referee M. Tumilty 

Cowdenbeath 3 St Mirren 1

Another friendly and another win, most satisfying was the result last night, as it was against a near enough full strength Saints side. I was not there however, as other commitments saw to that. But what I have heard from my reliable reporter who was there, that it was an easy win for the Blue Brazil. And that they were easily the best team in the second half.

Scorers were, Jon Robertson and Greg Stewart with two.

Cowdenbeath;

Flynn, Brett, Adamson, Cameron (Makel,66), Winter (Armstrong,64), Mbu, Morton, Robertson, Ramsay, Stewart, Linton (McKenzie,75).

So, pre season is finished for another year then, and the first real test comes this Saturday down the road at Starks Park in the Ramsdens Challenge Cup. A repeat of last year’s gritty 1-0 victory at the same venue would be most welcoming. Kick Off 3PM. 

Cowdenbeath 4  Dundee United XI 0

Another superb performance and another SPL team put the sword yesterday afternoon at Central Park. Albeit, it was a young Dundee United side with a sprinkle of first team players. Although I am not getting carried away with pre season results, as I am sure most of us know, they count for nothing when the real stuff begins. But we are looking in good shape for the forthcoming season.

The manager sat this game out, along with a few others, but the line up still looked strong, and it took Cowden only took two minutes to open the scoring, when Marc McKenzie neatly slid the ball in the net. Both teams then settled into the game, but Cowden went two up in nine minutes, Coult finding space to turn and finding the net with a fine strike. Yossi Bejaoui in Cowden’s goal is having a great game with several superb saves, he is turning out to be a great find. The heavens open up with some hail, glad I am under cover in the stand. Coult gets himself behind United’s defence, but his cut back is just missed by Ramsay. Cowden went 3-0 three minutes before half time with a penalty. Lewis Milne was ready to put the ball in the net when he was fouled and Ramsay stroked the ball home. 3-0 to Cowden at half time and we are cruising.

John Ferguson and Paul Byrne come on for Coult and Milne at half time, and we have rain along with thunder and lightning as the second half starts. Cowden go 4-0 up in sixty minutes as Marc McKenzie grabs his second of the afternoon after rounding the keeper. As the half continues both sides have chances, and with two minutes remaining, McKenzie nearly completes his hat trick, but his shot is saved for a corner.

Not a great day weather wise, but it was another great work out for Cowden, and again, stand out was Jon Robertson in midfield, he controlled the game, and looks as though he will be a key player this season.

One more pre season friendly to go, when ex manager Danny Lennon, brings his St Mirren team to Central this Tuesday night. Kick Off 7.30PM

Cowdenbeath;
 
Bejaoui, Miller, Linton, Makel, Winter, Adamson, McKenzie, Robertson (Callaghan,71), Ramsay, Coult (Ferguson,45) Milne (Byrne,45).

Hearts youngster signs on for 6 months

I said to the old man at the friendly against Spartans last Saturday that the Hearts youngster looks decent and would be a fantastic addition to the squad. So I was delighted when news broke that Cowden had signed him for 6 months.

I believe he will be a stand out in Division two this season if he continues to perform to the high standard he has showed in the friendlies. He has pace and the ability to take on defenders on either wing, and has bagged 3 goals in two games.

Jordan came through the youth setup at Clyde, and Hearts signed him in April 2009.

 

Cowdenbeath 2 Hearts XI 1

I have great confidence for the season ahead, as I saw Cowden continue their pre-season with a fine 2-1 win against SPL side Hearts last night. Colin has clearly showed how he wants the team to play, with flowing, passing on the deck football. Newly signed keeper Youssef Bejaoui started in goal.

The Hearts line up featured a mix of 1^st team and under 19 players, and they had allot of the earlier possession. They had a goal rightly flagged offside, and a minute later Cowden went ahead. Ironically, from a Hearts player who is currently on trial, his shot from 20 yards gave the Hearts keeper no chance. Cowden dominated for a spell after this, and Greg Stewart saw his free kick cannon of the post with the Hearts keeper rooted. Ten minutes after Cowden went ahead, they had the chance to go 2-0 up when, man of the match John Robertson was fouled in the box, but Stewart put his spot kick wide. Half time then, and much debating of the half was going on.

Only one change at half time was Thomas Flynn replacing Yossi in goal. Cowden were more than a match for the SPL team as the game went on, but unfortunately conceded around seventy minutes when Toorie Winter brought down Elliot in the box, and Elliot took the penalty himself to equalise. Hearts now started to dominate and had a few chances to go ahead. With just under five minutes remaining, Marc McKenzie’s terrific corner found young Lewis Milne, and he headed home the winning goal.

As I stated at the beginning of the post, I have confidence that Cowden are going to have a decent season, we have kept most of the team that did a great job in the first division last year, with the chance to add some more quality to it.

Up next, is a Dundee United XI at Central on Saturday.

Cowdenbeath;

Bejaoui (Flynn, 45), Brett (Mackay, 47), Adamson, Cameron (Bennett, 60), Winter, Mbu (Miller, 60), Trialist (McKenzie, 71), Robertson, Milne, Stewart (Coult, 60) Linton.

Yossi, in action for Welfare.

Yossi signed from Welfare

Confirmed today on Cowden’s official website, that 6’5 keeper Youssef Bejaoui, has signed from East of Scotland side Whitehill Welfare.

I have the feeling that, me, my old man and a fellow Cowden pilgrim, had a hand in the big keeper signing on the dotted line. Because, as we stood behind his goal in the second half of Saturday’s match against Spartans, we shouted to him, hey, big man, sign for us. When he looked around, the three of us did a pen writing motion in our hands, of course he laughed at the friendly banter.

Joking aside, it is an excellent signing for Cowden. He appeared for the East of Scotland select team against the England C team in May 2010, and scored from 70 yards last season for the Welfare. I saw him in action for his former club last season against Edinburgh Uni, and he is a good shot stopper, and a keeper that commands his area well. Like on Saturday, he never stopped shouting encouragement to his teammates against the Uni. He did not have much to do on Saturday, but should be called into action more tonight against a Hearts XI.  

He will probably be back up to keeper Thomas Flynn, but it will be a good bit of competition for the no1 shirt.

Regarding the friendly match tonight, I have been informed by a mate, who is a Gorgie regular, that it will be mostly fringe first team players returning from injury, and under 19’s turning out for Hearts. That said, it will still be, a big test for the Blue Brazil. Kick Off 7.30PM @ Central Park.

Official programme from the match.

Cowden Heart Broken

With the blue brazil lining up against a Hearts XI tomorrow night at Central Park. I thought I would take this opportunity to look back at the last competitive match between the two clubs. 

This occurred on Saturday 25^th January, 1997, in a Scottish cup 3^rd round tie at Tyncastle in Edinburgh. It was the first time facing a side from the Premier Division in the National cup since being put out by Hearts city rivals Hibs 4 years earlier, the match also signifies the last time facing a Premier Division side in the competition.

A crowd of 11485 saw Hearts run out 5-0 winners. It took Hearts only 8 minutes into the match to find the net, with the goal coming from, ironically, current Cowden manager Colin Cameron. Cowden, with hardly any time to recover from the loss of the early goal, found themselves 2-0 down 4 minutes later, the goal coming this time from a younger Davie Weir. Hearts were now steam rolling over Cowden at this point, and the conversation in the stands turned to how just many goals were Hearts going to net? Cowden held in there, but on 22 minutes it was 3-0, with Hearts scoring legend John Robertson slotting the ball home.

Cowden manager Sammy Conn made a couple of changes for the second half, and Cowden held their own for almost 20 minutes, but Robertson added his second of the match in the 63rd minute and this again made Hearts almost unstoppable, and ultimately they went 5-0 up 5 minutes later with a Neil Pointon goal. With attack upon attack from Hearts it was quite surprising they never added more.

These cup matches against higher opposition, always brings the giant killing feeling out in you. I had it in me that Cowden were going to get a hard thought 1-0 win as they did against Partick in the round before facing Hibs in the match stated above, but as Hearts goals went in, you are brought back to reality.

If you glance at the Cowden line up below, you will spot a Certain Mr Winter, who of course is still making the team sheet today.

It was an enjoyable day and a great experience, and of course, a ground to tick of the ground’s to visit list.

Tennents Scottish Cup 3^rd Round
Saturday 25^th January, 1997
Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh
 

HEART OF MIDLOTHAIN (3)5    COWDENBEATH (0)0
Cameron (8)                                       Att: 11485
Weir (12)
Robertson (22, 63)
Pointon (68)

COWDENBEATH;

1   Neil Russell
2   Alistair Hamilton
3   Graham Meldrum
4   Sammy Conn
5   Barry McMahon (Kenny Munro 45)
6   Martin Humphries
7   Craig Winter
8   Willie Stewart
9   Martin Scott (Eddie Petrie 45)
10 Craig Sinclair
11 Garry Wood

Spartans 0 Cowdenbeath 9 (Read as nine)

Went along to Ainslie Park, home of Spartans FC in Edinburgh yesterday to see Cowden in action for the first time since our relegation was confirmed a few weeks ago. A decent away support experienced a great wee place, with excellent facilities and friendly staff. Where else would you get a lager and a pie at half-time? It would be great if Cowden could get the same sort of set up once upping sticks and moving away from Central Park. Saw a couple of familiar faces mingling in the crowd, Chris Townsley (ex Alloa), Dave McPherson (Hearts and Rangers star).

On to the match, it was an excellent performance from a strong Cowden side, but couldn’t really gauge players defensively, as Spartans never really looked likely giving us any problems, to be fair, it was not the full first team for Spartans, it was a mix of mostly under 19’s and first team. It was refreshing to see a complete passing game from Cowden, no long balls.

Cowdenbeath Starting line up:

4-4-1-1 (Ramsay just behind Stewart) 

Flynn, Brett, Adamson, Mbu, Winter, Cameron, Robertson, Trialist, Linton, Ramsay, Stewart

Subs;  

Trialist keeper, Trialist, McKenzie, Mackay, Miller, Bennett, Byrne, Milne, Callaghan, Milne, Coult, Finnie, Ferguson.

The goals were scored by Ramsay, Stewart (2), Robertson, Trialist (2), Coult, and McKenzie (2).

The Trialist who started the game on the right wing, is on trial from an SPL side, who may join on loan, he looked very decent, had the ability to take on the Spartans defence and put in a few great crosses. He had quite a good touch and strength to hold off defenders and his 2 goals were decent finishes. Was great to see big Joe back, Along with Dene Droudge (did not play) and Danny McKay, it will feel like we have signed three new players. Greg Stewart was fantastic, great little touches, taking on defenders and his movement was sublime. Toorie played in defence (John Armstrong on holiday alongside Joe in the first half, and linked up well with the midfield. Steven Bennett from the youth set up started the second half, a very big lad and looked promising, can just imagine him paired with Joe in the middle of defence, scaring off division two’s strike force. I can’t comment on the two keepers, as they were never really called into action. Although the trialist keeper in the second half commanded his defence well, did plenty of shouts of encouragement.  I Think only a handful of us heard him shout to Lewis Coult, hey, Crouchy (as in Peter Crouch) get up for the ball. Great stuff. Colin Cameron almost pulled off replicating Gazza's goal against Scotland at Euro 96, but miss kicked in front of goal.

Although we wont be getting carried away with such results, i feel we have a decent enough squad to compete at the top end of the league this season, but all in all, a tremendous start to pre-season – well done lads.

When the sunshines (on the coo shed)

Hi folks and welcome to the Coo shed, a spanking brand new non-official blog of everything relating to Cowdenbeath Football Club. I will be looking to post news from pre-season, to the big kick off and throughout season 2011/2012. As the season progresses, I will be posting informative posts of Cowden’s high’s and low’s of yesteryear. Not just for the Cowden fan’s, but other lower league supporters (that are interested) reading enjoyment.
 
For those not in the know how, the name of this blog originates from the once covered west terracing of Central Park, home of Cowdenbeath FC. It is still sung about today in the supporter’s song “when the sunshine’s (on the coo shed)”.  The structure very much resembled an old cow shed, hence its nickname. Sadly the elements took its toll and its end came in 1983, when it was blown away. I never experienced the coo shed as I was a mere toddler upon its demise. But by the story’s I have heard, I chose to honour it by naming this blog after it. A picture of the Coo shed is shown in the fanzone on the official website.

I have my dad to thank for making me a follower of the blue Brazil. He followed Celtic earlier in his life, but started to follow Cowden around 1965, when he was workmates with then Cowden player Andy Kinnell.  Before I continue, I have a Confession to make, the first ever match I went to was in 1989, along with a couple of school friends, we made the trek through to a place on Halbeath Road to watch some pub team take on Raith Rovers. Yes my confession is thus, I actually started my football supporting life watching Dunfermline Athletic. Even though they went down 1-0 to Raith, I was left wanting more. My next game was the season closer and Dunfermline’s championship clinching match Vs Meadowbank Thistle. The following season I watched them take on sides from the premier division in the first few weeks, but started to become bored with the Premier Division hype. This is when my dad came to the rescue.

 On the morning of 16^th September, 1989, dad asked me, do you want to come and watch Cowden play Stirling Albion today? I said sure, why not. I thought it would be great to spend some time with the old man. So off we went and by the time full time came I was hooked, like nothing I have ever been hooked on before, even getting screwed by Dumbarton 5-1 two weeks later never even deterred me. My days following Dunfermline were finished, PHEW!  

 
16^th September 1989, COWDENBEATH 4 STIRLING ALBION 0. Nearly 22 years on and I am still as passionate following Cowden as I was back then. I have witnessed the good and the bad times over the past 22 years, but it’s that said passion for the club that keeps me returning season after season. I have my dad to thank for that, cheers mate.
My first away game was not until 1991, when Cowden played Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup. It was the first time my dad had been back in Govan since following Celtic years earlier.  I don’t recall much of the game, but vividly remember Sandy Ross?? Putting the ball in the net with his hands. My first Cowden shirt was the 1991-1992 home shirt, which coincided with the club winning promotion to the old first division. I’ve never forgotten the closing minutes of the final match of the season at Alloa's Recreation Park, 1 point was all we needed, with the score 0-0 and the final whistle imminent, there was a shot on goal by Alloa, and as the ball lay in the box, in the middle of goal, Cowden Keeper Steve O’Hanlon, hidden by a cloud of dust smothers the ball as Alloa players are surging forward to poke the ball home, and would have most certainly sent them up a division instead of us. As the final whistle went, I experienced my first pitch invasion.

Since then there has been period’s of elation, sadness and downright miserable times following Cowden, but would a lower league supporter have it any other way. Forget two clubs at the very top of Scottish football, that it’s supporters expect to win the championship or domestic cups every season, It is the high and low’s that makes lower league football what it is, and the hope, that this, just might be our season. 

So as Mickey’s era begins at the fife Maracanã, I hope you return throughout, what I am sure will be rollercoaster season, to read all things relating to the mighty Blue Brazil.

 
So good luck to Cowdenbeath FC, and to the other 9 clubs, and its supporters, for the forthcoming season.

PS: COWDENBEATH FOOTBALL CLUB Division Two Champions 2011-2012 (please bloody give someone else a shot at the play offs this year).