The funeral of Raith Rovers stalwart Ally Gourlay is due to take place in Kirkcaldy on Monday February 22, his family has confirmed.
The popular 53-year-old passed away late on Saturday night after a courageous fight against cancer of the oesophagus, and his death has sparked tributes from all across the Scottish football spectrum.
Mr Gourlay was diagnosed with terminal cancer in March 2014 and was given just months to live by doctors, but he decided against undergoing chemotherapy choosing quality of life over quantity.
However, he lived long enough to not only be inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame the same year but also attend the 2015 ceremony.
And incredibly, despite being given 48 hours to live in the final stage of his illness earlier this month, he left his bed at Kirkcaldy’s Victoria Hospital to make one final visit to his beloved Stark’s Park to say an emotional goodbye to colleagues there just three days before he died.
Mr Gourlay latterly worked as the Kirkcaldy club’s media officer but was also Raith’s club historian and chairman of the Raith Rovers Former Players Association.
He was also well-known for his love of music and radio, and combined both with his Art School Dancing show on local radio station K107FM until recently.
The club is expected to confirm plans for its own tributes to Mr Gourlay in due course, but friends have been invited to say their farewells at his funeral service at Kirkcaldy Crematorium on Monday February 22 at 2.15pm.
His family has requested family flowers only, but donations may be made to Maggie’s Centre.