Norrie McCathie

Norman "Norrie" McCathie (23 March 1961 – 8 January 1996) was a Scottish professional footballer best known for time with Scottish club Dunfermline Athletic.

Norrie McCathie
Personal information
Full name Norman McCathie
Date of birth (1961-03-23)23 March 1961
Place of birth Edinburgh, Scotland
Date of death 8 January 1996(1996-01-08) (aged 34)
Place of death Dunfermline, Scotland
Position(s) Defender (association football)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1980–1981 Cowdenbeath 11 (0)
1981–1996 Dunfermline Athletic 495 (55)
1989 → Ayr United (loan) 2 (0)
Total 508 (55)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Signed by Dunfermline manager Pat Stanton in August 1981 from Cowdenbeath, McCathie went on to play a club record of 576 games between 1981 and 1996.

Career

McCathie made his Dunfermline debut on 24 October 1981 against Ayr United and scored his first goal three days later in a 3–1 win over Queen's Park. By 1984, McCathie had become a regular in the Dunfermline team and helped the club to successive promotions to the First Division in season 1985–86 and to the Scottish Premier Division in season 1986–87.

McCathie sustained a career-threatening injury in 1989 and went on loan to Ayr United during his rehabilitation. He returned in January and scored in his return match against Airdrieonians. He went on to play in every match for Dunfermline in the next two seasons and helped the club reach the League Cup final in season 1991–92.

Final appearance

McCathie's final appearance on the field was a 2–1 defeat against St.Mirren at St.Mirren Park on 6 January 1996. That season Dunfermline went on to gain promotion to the Scottish Premier Division.

Death

McCathie died on 8 January 1996 from carbon monoxide poisoning, aged 34, at his home in Fife. His 26-year-old girlfriend Amanda Burns also died in the tragedy.[1] He had separated from his pregnant wife Julie in late 1995, and their daughter Jade Clare was born in March 1996 just over two months after his death.[2] He also had two older children, Alison and Paul.[3]

Tributes

Following McCathie's untimely death, his shirt number 4 was retired for the remainder of the 1995–96 season.

In December 1998, a stand at the club's East End Park stadium was named after him. The stand is also home to a large banner & picture of Norrie with words reading, "Lead From The Front, Never Beaten" as well as "Legend 4 Ever".

See also

References
  1. McKie, John (10 January 1996). "Police investigate death of Scottish football stalwart - News". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
  2. "Norrie never had the chance to hug his wee daughter..but I know he's watching over her; EXCLUSIVE: Football star Norrie McCathie's girlfriend talks for the first time about his tragic death and bringing up their child alone. - Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
  3. McKinney, David (10 January 1996). "Obituary: Norrie McCathie - People, News". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
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