PAST and present footballers with a Lochgelly amateur team came together to pay tribute to a club stalwart on Sunday.

Torleys AFC, who play in the Fife Sunday Amateur Football League, brought together former players and their current squad in memory of Stuart Gallacher, who passed away suddenly earlier this year.

Stuart, who was 59, was a former player with the team and a member of the Torleys committee, while 22-year-old son Sam is part of the current squad.

The 'Torleys Legends' and the current team played for the Stuart Gallacher Memorial Trophy – which the club will make an annual event – and raised £301.50 that was split between two charities close to Stuart's heart; RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People), and Leonard Cheshire, an organisation that supports people with a disability.

After a 6-6 draw, in which Sam played one half for each team, the match was decided by a penalty shoot-out and, after finishing the match as captain of the 'legends', he struck the winning kick and was presented with the trophy by his mum, Irene.

She said: "We were married for 30 years and he played for all the local clubs in Lochgelly; he was a goalkeeper.

"When the time came to give up, Stuart took Sam to the (Fife) Soccer 7s and that was how he got into coaching.

"He did all his coaching badges, and went to the Blue Brazil and Rosyth. If Sam played, he followed.

"It was a lovely day and I'm sure Stuart was looking down, especially when Sam took the winning penalty! The raffle raised £301.50 and the two groups were close to Stuart's heart, as our older son uses them.

"I'm just so grateful to everyone that turned out. We're really touched and we really appreciate it."

Thomas Hunter, who helped organise the match, commented: "We had 40 players from both teams, and another 40-50 who came to watch.

"Sam, Stuart's son, and I are friends and his dad used to come and watch us home and away, so I formed a friendship with him as well. He was a loss to us all.

"Stuart's family were present, and I think it was good for them. The big man's not here, but he's certainly not forgotten.

"Could we have scripted the end to the game? Probably not!"

Ryan Hughes, who netted four goals, was presented with the man of the match prize, which was sponsored by Cowdenbeath firm Block Build Ltd, and Thomas wished to thanks to Lochgelly Golf Club, for donating a "generous" raffle prize; Torleys bar staff, for their hospitality after the game; Lochgelly United, who opened the Moor Park catering hut for spectators; and to the players that took part.