THE Cowdenbeath Football Club community lost a stalwart on Saturday night with the passing of Ben Conway.

Ben was brought up in Blamey Crescent, Cowdenbeath, and worked in Burntisland Shipyard.

Then, he became a ‘wooden top’ at Rosyth Dockyard and became a gaffer on the Type 42 Destroyers.

He followed Cowden from the 1940s, and for so many years he and his late wife, Isabel, went to all Cowden matches both home and away.

Isabel and Ben in more recent years, took charge of the club shop at Central Park.

Club secretary, David Allan said: “They enjoyed meeting and blethering to all the fans who dropped in.

“Isabel passed away a few years back but Ben carried on in the shop. His health deteriorated more recently, but he did not wish to let the club down and insisted on completing last season in the shop - despite now being required to use a mask and a portable oxygen supply due to his health issues.

“At last year’s Player of the Year event, a tribute was paid to Ben and he received a gift as he stepped down at the season’s close, from chairman Donald Findlay."

Ben lived up in Kelty for many years and was a popular figure in village life, and as a long-time member of Kelty Parish Church he helped run the Boys Brigade Group for many years.

He was involved in so many community initiatives in the village and was a long time chair of Kelty Community Council.

David Allan added: “Central Park will not be quite the same without Ben.

“He was a friend to us all and his dedication to Cowdenbeath FC was a shining example of a true supporter.

“Sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to all of Ben’s family and friends from all at Central Park and all his fellow fans – he will be much missed by everyone.”