Teams | Eddie Connachan

Hero of the 1961 Scottish Cup Final victory over Celtic. Two caps for Scotland.

A goalkeeper signed in May 1957 from Dalkeith Thistle, Eddie went on to make 172 first team appearances for the Pars before transferring to Middlesborough in August 1963 for £5,500.

Eddie was the man who defied Celtic time and time again with a string of wonder saves, during both the 1961 Scottish Cup final, and the replay. Carried shoulder high off the pitch at the end of the final, Celtic centre half Billy McNeil said at the time, "I have never seen anything like it. He broke our hearts and did as much as any `keeper I have ever seen".

Regular goalie Joe Mackin had been ousted by Bill Beaton who moved to Aston Villa. For season 1958/59 Eddie became first choice, although Jim Herriot challenged him hard before and after the Cup Final. Eddie played every match from the Quarter Final onwards, during the 1961 Scottish Cup run.

Eddie`s form led to him being capped twice for Scotland in 1962, against Czechoslovakia in a World Cup play off game, and against Uruguay, a match in which he was substituted. He also gained four Scottish League Caps, against the Irish League, League of Ireland, Italian League and English League.

In 1961/62, Eddie remained first choice as Dunfermline entered Europe for the first time, reaching the quarter finals before losing narrowly to Ujpest Dosza. He picked up two Scottish Caps in season 1961/62. By the following season Jim Herriot had largely taken over and in August 1963, Middlesbrough paid a handsome fee to take him to Ayresome Park.

He played over 100 matches for Middlesbrough between 1963 and 1966, when he returned to Scotland to sign for Falkirk.

Eddie returned to East End Park in December 1963 to guest in Jackie Williamson and Willie Cunningham`s testimonial game against Newcastle.

In 1968 Eddie emigrated to South Africa playing for Port Elizabeth City and East London Celtic before retiring in 1972. He still lives in South Africa.