Dunfermline Athletic players will wear black arm bands at Saturday’s match against Queen of the South after one of the club’s directors passed away.
Margaret Ross died at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy in the early hours of Friday morning at the age of 65.
Leading the tributes was the club’s chairman Ross McArthur.
He said: “We were all absolutely devastated to hear the very sad news this morning that Margaret passed away last night at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.
“Her death, at a relatively young age, will be a shock to the wider Pars family, as she had made so many friends over the years following the Pars. In recent years she has provided sterling service to the Pars Supporters Trust and the DAFC board as well so many other groups such as the former players.
Sincere condolences to the family and friends of @officialdafc Director Margaret Ross who passed away last night.Such sad news for the club.
— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) December 16, 2016
“Margaret was an extremely compassionate and caring lady, who fought injustice of any kind, and put in many hours of hard work on behalf of our club in recent years. She will be sorely missed.
“On behalf of everyone at DAFC, I would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Margaret`s partner, Tom and all of her many friends at this sad time.”
Sincere condolences to our friends @officialdafc following the untimely death of director Margaret Ross. All @ RRFC are deeply shocked.
— Raith Rovers Football Club (@RaithRovers) December 16, 2016
He added that in addition to the arm band tribute at Palmerston Park, the club plans to include an appropriate tribute at their Boxing Day match against Falkirk.
Players also paid tribute to Margaret.
Goalkeeper Sean Murdoch wrote: “Devastated with the news about Margaret Ross! A truly fantastic woman who loved the Pars! RIP Margaret”, while Joe Cardle said: “Such sad news about Margaret Ross. She couldn’t do enough for my family and I. A massive lost for everyone at DAFC. R.I.P Margaret x.”
Condolences to family and friends of Margaret Ross of @officialdafc on the news of her untimely passing from all at Dumbarton Football Club.
— Dumbarton FC (@Dumbartonfc) December 16, 2016
Margaret moved to Fife in 1981, when she began supporting Dunfermline Athletic.
In 2004 she helped set up the Pars Supporters’ Trust after recognising that groups advocating more fan participation and ownership were getting government backing.
In 2012, as the club faced financial difficulties she retired from her role as a business consultant to work on a voluntary basis with Pars United and DAFC.
