Dunfermline Athletic chairman Ross McArthur has described George Peebles as a “true club legend” after the 1961 Scottish Cup winner passed away at the age of 80.

The former outside right, whose total of 413 appearances for the Pars between 1955 and 1966 is the fourth highest in the club’s history behind Norrie McCathie, Kenny Thomson and Willie Callaghan, lost his battle with Parkinson’s after spending the last three years in a nursing home in his native Stirling.

Signed from Dunipace Juniors, Peebles quickly became a regular in the Athletic side and is best remembered for his role in Dunfermline’s famous Hampden replay win over Celtic.

One of only four players to feature in every one of Pars’ eight matches en-route to lifting the trophy for the first time, Peebles supplied the cross for Davie Thomson to head home the opening goal in the final before record goalscorer Charlie Dickson memorably sealed a 2-0 success with minutes to go.

Paying tribute to Peebles, McArthur said: “I was very sad to hear of George’s passing.

"He made the fourth highest number of appearances in our history and is a true club legend. Everyone at the football club extend our sincerest condolences to his family.”

Of his 413 games for the club, 185 of those came under the management of Jock Stein and Peebles holds the accolade of playing more times under the legendary manager than any other Pars player.

He played in the memorable European triumphs over both Everton and Valencia in 1962 and scored 85 goals in a Dunfermline jersey, the seventh-highest in the club’s history.

After leaving East End, he played for Stirling Albion until his retirement in 1971 before moving into coaching with the Binos’ reserves.

He was promoted to first-team coach and assistant manager under Alex Smith and, after Smith’s move to St Mirren, became manager in 1986 until his resignation in 1988.

In 2007, Peebles was inducted into the Pars’ Hall of Fame but in recent years suffered from ill health.

Following the passing of his wife Mary two years ago and his son, George junior, previously, Peebles is survived by his daughters Yvonne and Karen and their husbands Fred and Charlie, and by five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. 

A minute’s applause in his memory will be held ahead of kick-off at tomorrow’s game with Hibernian.