Legend

I don't have the words so have, without shame, copied these words from the Dundee Courier.

Raith Rovers legend Ronnie Coyle loses brave battle with leukaemia
Football mourned the passing of a Raith Rovers legend on Wednesday after it emerged that former stalwart Ronnie Coyle had lost his courageous battle with leukaemia.

The 46-year-old died suddenly and painlessly in a Glasgow hospital late on Tuesday night, having fought the illness for the past two years.

Mr Coyle started out with Celtic and had spells with Clyde, Middlesbrough, Rochdale, Ayr United, Albion Rovers, East Fife and Queen's Park in a long and storied career. However, it is the eight years with Raith Rovers in the 80s and 90s for which Ronnie Coyle will be most remembered, helping the club to two first division titles, an unforgettable League Cup win in 1994 and the amazing UEFA Cup run which saw Rovers line up against the might of Bayern Munich.

His sad death comes just over a fortnight after fans and famous footballing faces gathered at Stark's Park for a fund-raising match in aid of the Ronnie Coyle Benefit Fund, with Raith Rovers and Celtic stars of the past taking part in a rerun of the 1994 Coca-Cola Cup final. Celtic won an entertaining match on penalty kicks after a 3-3 draw ? but the day was all about celebrating the achievements and life of Ronnie, who was quite rightly given a standing ovation at the ground on the day.

Friends also travelled huge distances to take part in the fixture, including the likes of former Celtic captain Paul McStay, who flew from Australia to be involved.

Raith chairman Dave Somerville said everyone associated with the club had been shocked to hear of Mr Coyle's passing, just 16 days after around 3000 fans packed into Stark's Park for his benefit game.

True Rovers supporter
"The fact that we were aware of the extent of his illness does nothing to minimise the sadness experienced at this time," he said. "As has been said many times recently, Ronnie was not only a very gifted player but will be always be remembered for being a very likeable and decent man who was a true Rovers supporter.

"I am sure that the memory of the day against a Celtic select only a couple of weeks ago stayed with Ronnie to the end. As has been said on many occasions since, that was what sport should be about and it was fitting it was in honour of Ronnie, who epitomised what sport should be about.

"Our thoughts are with his family at this moment."

Although Mr Coyle plied his trade away from the football pitch in the years that followed, the beautiful game remained a massive part of his life and he lent his weight to the Reclaim The Rovers campaign which ultimately saved his beloved Kirkcaldy club, taking part in a fund-raising walk in the summer of 2005.

In spring 2009 the former Rovers defender ? who made over 300 appearances between 1988 and 1996 ? faced a new challenge after being diagnosed with leukaemia and was admitted to the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. A bone marrow transplant seven months later gave hope and Mr Coyle was given a tremendous reception at half-time of a match between Raith and Ross County in May last year, reducing the hardy defender to tears.

At the end of last year, however, doctors confirmed that the cancer had returned and he underwent another dose of chemotherapy and spent Christmas in hospital.

Ally Gourlay, who helped to organise Ronnie's benefit match last month, paid tribute to a man who was considered a "legend in real terms" ? both on and off the pitch. On behalf of the Ronnie Coyle Benefit Committee, he said, "We are shocked, stunned and so very very sad. Everyone connected with Raith Rovers has lost a true friend.

"His last wish was to see Raith Rovers back in the SPL and I can think of no more fitting a tribute to the big man than securing a place back in the top flight. However, our thoughts at this time are with Joan, Kevin, Briony and Georgia and his many close friends and family."

A spokesman for his first club Celtic also paid tribute. "Everyone at Celtic Football Club is shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Ronnie Coyle. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic Football Club are with Ronnie's family and friends at this extremely sad time."

His funeral is to take place at St Peter's RC Church in Paisley at 10am on Tuesday, followed by a service at Woodside Crematorium at noon.