Tributes to Ian Dair who started family's link with Haws

Cowdenbeath man Ian Dair played three seasons for the Haws in the 1980s, then saw son Lee become a leading scorer for the Keirs Parkers, hitting 115 goals in 225 games, before older son, Jason, became the club’s manager, while grandson Arran, also played for Hill of Beath.

Ian - who was known as Dan Dair when he played in midfield for Cowdenbeath in the 1973-74 season, after the famous Eagle comic character, Dan Dare - had a good spell with the Blue Brazil, having started with Stirling Albion in the Second Division.

Ian, second from left, after Haws win one of their first trophies as a junior side. (Image: Contributed)

He was persuaded to join Fife Junior Club, Glenrothes, in the close season, and was a key member of the Glens’ side which won the Scottish Junior Cup in 1975, and also played a leading role in the Halbeath side, which became a force in the Fife League, towards the end of his career.

It was in 1984 that Ian joined up at Hill of Beath, and went on to play a key part in the club establishing itself as a junior side, after stepping up from the amateur ranks in 1982.

Club chairman, Dave Baillie recalled: “Ian was a really good midfielder for us, as we searched to establish ourselves in the junior set-up, and played a key part in his three year spell at Keirs Park, playing 89 games, and helped us win our first trophies at that level.

“Little did he know then that his family was to follow him to the Haws, with son Lee being one of our all-time leading marksmen, and elder son Jason becoming manager for two years, while grandson Arran was a player for us also, quite an amazing situation.

“Ian provided important experience between 1984 and 1987, as the building process began to create the squad which went on to win the Scottish Junior Cup in 1990.”