Joe McBride (10.06.38 - 11.07.12)

After suffering a stroke at home the former Pars striker Joe McBride has died at the age of 74.

After suffering a stroke at home the former Pars striker Joe McBride has died at the age of 74.

In a career that spanned over 25 years Joe played for nine senior clubs:- Kilmarnock, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Luton Town, Partick Thistle, Motherwell, Celtic, Hibernian, Dunfermline Athletic and Clyde..

McBride started his career at Kilmarnock as a 15-year-old, scoring 24 times in 57 games before being sold to Wolves for £12,500 in 1959. However, he left Molineux without playing a first-team game, to join Luton Town where he established himself as a regular starter. This earned a return to Scotland in 1960 with Partick, and then to Motherwell where he became a fan favourite with 51 goals in 88 league games.

McBride was Motherwell's top scorer for three consecutive seasons, attracting the attention of Celtic manager Jock Stein who splashed out £22,000 for the striker in 1965. In his first season at Parkhead, McBride was the joint highest scorer in the Scottish League, hitting the net 31 times to finish level with Dunfermline's Alex Ferguson.

He had an impressive record at Celtic, scoring 54 goals in 55 league games, and being part of the squad who lifted the 1967 European Cup final. Unfortunately, McBride was ruled out of the Lisbon Lions' triumph as he had suffered a serious knee injury in mid-season.

He moved to Hibs in 1968, scoring 44 goals for the Easter Road club before moving to Dunfermline. He was signed for a fee of £3000 by Manager Alex Wright soon after his appointment in October 1970. He made 20 appearances for the Pars before ending his playing career at Clyde in 1972.

In 1967 Joe won two caps for Scotland both in British Home Championship matches. He also scored eight goals in just four appearances for the Scottish League.

Dunfermline Athletic Football Club extend their sympathies to Joe's family.