Hundreds gathered at Kirkcaldy Crematorium to celebrate the “life, love and laughter” of Raith Rovers stalwart Ally Gourlay.
Crowds gathered outside a packed chapel as eulogies were given to a man of inspiration and integrity who had battled cancer.
Mr Gourlay’s family were joined by mourners including a hall of fame of Raith players past and present, members of the footballing community and sports journalists who he had known as a widely respected press officer.
Leading the tributes to the father of three, who lost his brave fight against the disease at the age of 53, was his daughter Samantha.
Along with her brothers, Jonny and Matthew, Samantha had kept a vigil at her father’s bedside during his final hours.
In an emotional tribute she described how her dad had squeezed her little hand as a baby and how the adventure had ended with “a squeeze of your hand in my bigger hand”.
She said: “Links Market was a family tradition. We never missed a year but boy will we miss you, dad, next time we go strolling along.
“When you were diagnosed, I never believed that something so evil would ever touch you, our dad. We love you lots, dad, from your little tribe.”
Samantha said her father had carried on “like nothing was wrong” after being told he was terminally ill.
Despite being given just 48 hours to live in the final stages of his illness, he left his bed to make a final visit to his beloved Stark’s Park.
Mr Gourlay’s brother Ian thanked everyone at Stark’s Park and the footballing community who had lifted Ally’s spirits as he battled cancer, and also his media friends and staff at Victoria Hospital who had cared for him.
“All I can say is you know who you are, and thank you so much,” he said.
The service led by the Rev Jim Reid reflected Mr Gourlay’s love of music.
The Wizzard track This Is The Story Of My Love was played at the start of the ceremony and Roy Wood’s Angel Fingers as the coffin was brought in.
Mr Gourlay had chosen the song Little Lapwing by Barclay James Harvest for the committal.