A MEMBER of Kelty Hearts’ first-ever Fife Junior League winning team is being mourned by the football club after he suddenly passed away.

Chairman Ian Thomson described Clark Allison as a “true legend” as he paid tribute to the former full-back, who died last week and is one of only a handful of players to be granted a testimonial match by the New Central Park side.

Signed by former Dunfermline Athletic boss Jim Leishman in 1982, Clark helped the Jambos win the Fife Cup three times in his first four seasons and was named players player of the year and committee player of the year in 1984-85 and 1986-87.

Alongside the likes of future Pars stalwart Andy Tod, former Athletic and Cowdenbeath frontman Willie Callaghan and future Kelty boss Stevie Leighton, he was part of the first league winning team in 1991 and went on to lift another two titles with the club.

During his time with Hearts, Clark won 16 trophies and featured in several more finals. In 1988 he even overcame a broken back in an accident at Solsgirth Colliery to continue to play for the club until 1995.

In a statement, Mr Thomson said: “The club were saddened to hear of the tragic loss of Clark Allison, who spent 13 years with the club.

“A very talented full back who gave his all in the maroon jersey, winning various accolades, he was also one of only three players to have been rewarded with a testimonial for his service and commitment to the club.

“Clark was a member of the first Kelty team ever to win the Fife Junior League championship. Not many people know this but Clark was ‘capped for Scotland’ when he was picked to play in a charity game for a Scottish Miners Select against a Hibs/Hearts select to raise money for the Scottish Miners Relief Fund.

“He broke his back in 1988 but battled back to full fitness. As part of preparations for the 1994-95 season, a game against a Glasgow Rangers XI was scheduled as a testimonial match. They fielded two young boys called Barry Ferguson and Craig Moore, players who went on to achieve great things for Glasgow Rangers and their countries, and also a young Barry Robson, who went to play for Dundee United, Celtic and Scotland.

“Clark, it was an absolute pleasure to have known you, rest in peace my dear friend.”

The funeral is at 2.45pm on Monday at Dunfermline Crematorium.