NUMBER 14 in Cowdenbeath football history guro David Allan's Hometown Heroes is Bobby Gilfillan.

Born at 333 Broad Street, Cowdenbeath, on June 29 1938, Robert Inglis Gilfillan came from a footballing family.

He was the son of miner Willie Gilfillan and his wife Kate Wilson.

Willie had played for Dunfermline and his brother Jock Gilfillan had played in goals for Hearts, East Fife and Portsmouth (playing in both the Scottish Cup final and the FA Cup final during his career).

Jock’s grandson Steve Mills played for Southampton and was capped at under-23 level by England. Bobby Gilfillan’s cousin Bob had been with Cowden in the late 1940’s. He also played with Blackpool and Bath City.

Bob joined Cowdenbeath Royals from Beath High School. He helped the Royals win the Fife Secondary Juvenile Cup at under-age level and on his 17th birthday was signed on a provisional form by Manager John Dougary, for Cowdenbeath.

He was farmed out to Dundonald Bluebell to gain experience. Bobby then worked as a turner at Cowdenbeath NCB workshops. Bob was called up to Central Park at the beginning of season 1956/57 but he wasn’t rushed. He was given one or two games on both wings but was mainly left to study the amazing Frankie Quinn at centre for Cowdenbeath.

He soon though burst through into the Cowden 1st team and with his composure and goal instinct had the scouts queuing up at Central Park.

After Cowden turned down offers from Norwich and Hearts, Newcastle managed to sign Bobby for £4,000 just after he had starred for Cowden in the 1959 League Cup semi-final v Hearts.

Bobby though had to remain part-time at Newcastle, as otherwise he would have been called up for national service. He therefore worked in the pits in the Northumberland coalfield.

Making the breakthrough at St James Park as a part timer proved difficult although Bobby scored twice in his 7 appearances for Newcastle. There were spells back in Scotland then with St Johnstone and Raith Rovers.

In 1963, he moved to Southend and then had a 5 year spell with Doncaster Rovers between 1965 and 1970. Subsequently, he played non-league with Northwich Victoria.

At Central Park for Cowden, he scored 49 League goals in just 78 games. Bobby scored hat-tricks versus Brechin, Stirling Albion, Dundee United and Albion Rovers.

He scored for Cowden in the 1959/60 Scottish League Cup semi final v Hearts but also hit the woodwork twice in that match. Another goal he scored for the Blues put Cowden 1 up v Rangers in a Scottish Cup tie after 7 minutes at Central Park. Rangers won 3-1 before an 18,000 crowd.

When he left the Cowden chairman made him promise to give his first Scotland cap to the club - unfortunately of course Bob's career never quite hit those heights.

His English League career brought him 68 goals in 261 League games as well as two 4th Division championship medals won with Doncaster.

Bobby also appeared on the STV show ‘Dance Party Roof’ when with Cowden as the star washboard player of the skiffle group ‘the Red Hawks’.

They won the Scottish Skiffle Championships in 1959 and went through various incarnations after Bobby Gilfillan left for England. They played the Kinema Ballroom 563 times between 1959 and 1967. They also held a residency at the Cowdenbeath 'Palais de Dance'. Members over the years included Alan Jordan, Alex Smith, Beth Leitch, Tommy Wallace and Manny Charlton.

Bobby Gilfillan died on November 8 2012 at Perth Royal Infirmary.