How Raith Rovers were first club to reach out to grieving Dougie Imrie after baby daughter Remi's death

The brave Stark’s Park gaffer, 42, has previously spoken with pride about how Remi fought hard after her early arrival on July 30 last year, battling multiple infections before passing away at University Hospital, Wishaw, on August 19.

Ex-Greenock Morton manager Imrie told Raith TV: "The tragedy that myself and Lauren had with our daughter was horrific, it still is.

"But the footballing world really gave us comfort with the support we received.

"I put on record my thanks to Morton Football Club for the support that they gave us at the time, they were excellent, really compassionate.

"I think yourselves here at Raith Rovers were one of the first to send flowers through to Morton for us.

"The banner that the Motherwell support put after the ding dongs and the battles that we've had on the pitch, to-ing and fro-ing from the fans with the banter on the pitch.

"It really touched my heart and I'll always be grateful to them for doing that.

"Remi will always inspire me.

"We are obviously devastated with her loss first and foremost.

"She's never far away from our thoughts.

"We go and try and see her every day at the graveside so she will never be forgotten.

"Some of the stuff I did with the BBC (when Imrie spoke to BBC Sport Scotland’s Jonathan Sutherland) was just to try and help another family who's maybe going through the same situation.

"There are people out there who want to help, you're not on your own.

"Please don't hide behind closed doors and think that the world's ended because it's not.

"I can only speak from my own personal situation and grief that it will get easier.

"Maybe not in the first couple of weeks but it does get a little bit easier.

"I can't say a bad word about anyone. Everybody's been so compassionate and helpful.

"The neo natal ward at Wishaw were immense. Myself and Lauren will always be thankful to them.

"That's why we did the little fundraiser to try and give something back.

"We raised over £18,000 for them which will go a long way for them as well."

Imrie revealed that his six-year-old son Jenson, now a big football fan, has been wearing a Raith Rovers top in recent weeks.

The gaffer added: "He's now football mad, he thinks he's Messi, Ronaldo and I love it.

"As a dad you get dads that want to push their kids to be a footballer like their own dad.

"But I've been pretty calm with him and just allowed him to be a young, carefree kid who can do whatever he wants.

"He used to love the farm. That quickly disappeared when he got a little bit older. He went through a phase of dinosaurs, now it's Minecraft, Nintendos, PlayStations.

"I'll maybe try and get him off of that and enjoying the football a little bit more."