I visited my grandparents for the day yesterday, and talk turned to football (as always) and to my great-grandfather (who was a professional at a variety of clubs including Hearts, Dundee Utd/Hibs, Forfar, Bathgate, Third Lanark, Raith, etc.). My family on this side are all ardent Raith Rovers fans.
I joked with my grandfather that "well, at least one of our ancestors could say they played on the hallowed Stark's Park turf". At which point I was informed that "ah, but I've played on it as well...".
Apparently, during the 1950s, an annual match was held at Stark's Park between a select team of local churchmen, and a Raith Rovers XI. According to my grandfather (who was a postman at the time), he was 'called up' on the morning of the game (which was a Saturday 3pm, though he can't remember what time of year) because the minister of the local Free Church, pencilled in for centre half, had pulled out. (My grandfather, who played in the local leagues, was good friends with the minister of Abbotshall church in Kirkcaldy, who was captain and organiser of the Ministers Select).
According to my grandfather, the match finished 6-6 (the outside right for the ministers 'dived' for a penalty in the final minute, to secure the draw; the first kick was saved, but was retaken as the keeper moved). Willie McNaught was allegedly the referee, and this would lead me to presume the game was played in the summer (otherwise he'd be playing for Raith the same day surely?). The tie was in either 1955 or 1956 (1957 slight possibility), though as I said above, it was apparently held annually. There was a paying crowd, and all the proceeds went to local charities within the burgh.
Bits of the story may have been embellished over time, but I think all the core aspects are factual.
Anyway, what I would like to know is (1) does anyone know if the above is all right or not; (2) is there any information out there about this game, or other editions; (3) when did the tradition end?
