Tributes paid to former Raith Rovers striker and manager Gordon Wallace after death at 82
Raith Rovers have paid tribute to their former striker and manager Gordon Wallace following his death at the age of 82.
Dundee-born Wallace played for the Kirkcaldy club from 1966 to 1969 and 1978 to 1980, scoring 114 goals in 225 appearances, and managed them from 1979 to 1983.
He also played for and managed both of his home-town’s senior clubs, Montrose and the USA’s Seattle Sounders.
His century-plus of goals while at Stark’s Park were among a then record 264 he scored in his homeland.
A spokesperson for the Fifers said: “It is with great sadness that Raith Rovers learned that former player and manager Gordon Wallace has passed away.
“Everyone at Raith Rovers would like to pass our deepest condolences to his wife Marilyn; children Gaynor, Gordon, Barry and Greig; grandchildren Darren, Sophie, Nathan, Leia and Chloe; and great granddaughter Erin.
In the world of football these days, the label of legend can be used too easily, but to Raith Rovers, Gordon was a true legend.”
That affection was mutual, with Wallave once saying: “Of all my clubs, I’ve got the softest spot for Raith Rovers.
“They gave me a chance. They gave me full-time football.
“When I stopped playing, they made me coach and then I became their manager.
“All the things you’d want out of a career I got at Stark’s Park.”
Wallace, Scottish football writers’ 1968 player of the year, began his sporting career at Dundee North End, later signing for Dundee, Perth and Kinross juniors Alyth United and Montrose before arriving in Fife in 1966 and helping Raiths secure promotion to the old first division.
His first game for Raith was 5-1 win away to Forfar and his second was a 5-4 derby victory at Dunfermline Athletic, scoring one goal in the former and four in the latter.
Recalling that Fife Cup win, he said: “We won 5-4 and I scored four goals. Scoring four goals against Dunfermline certainly set me off on the right footing with the Rovers’ supporters.
“When you go to a new club, you want supporters to like you and they obviously took to me after getting four goals.”
His home-town’s senior clubs ghave also joined in the tributes paid to Wallace.
A Dundee spokesperson said: “Everyone here is pained to hear that league cup winner, manager and Dundee hall of famer Gordon Wallace has passed away.
“Ask any Dundee supporter who Gordon Wallace is, and they will tell you that he is the man who scored the winning goal when Dundee last won a major trophy.
“It was a magical moment for Gordon, born and bred in the city, who had grown up watching the Dee and his hero Billy Steel play at Dens.
“Gordon also scored against AB Copenhagen, Cologne and AC Milan in the UEFA Cup in 1971. He scored seven goals against United in derbies.”
Not holding that goal-scoring feat against him, a Dundee United spokesperson added: “Everyone at Dundee United was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Gordon.
“He enjoyed a long and distinguished career in football and is fondly remembered for his contribution to Dundee United both on the pitch and from the dugout.
“Everyone at United would like to extend their sincere condolences to Gordon’s wife Marilyn and his family and friends at this sad time.”
Wallace played for Dundee from 1969 to 1976 and for United from 1976 to 1978, going on to manage the former from 1989 to 1991 and the latter, on a caretaker basis, in 1995.