Mike Marshall left his mark on Bayview men

As well as playing for the local club, Mr Marshall was also well known in the wider community, teaching for many years at Kirkland High School.

Born in Methil in 1941, East Fife manager Charlie McCaig signed the 18-year-old in September 1960, handing him his debut the following April at outside right in a 2-1 win against Montrose at Links Park.

Following his release at the end of the season, Marshall eventually returned to senior football after turning out for the newly-formed Glenrothes Juniors.

Outings with Brechin City, Forfar Athletic and Cowdenbeath ensued before being offered terms at Alloa Athletic.

Marshall enjoyed two successful spells at Recreation Park, also spending two seasons with near neighbours Falkirk, making nearly 200 appearances and scoring 33 goals during his time in the senior ranks.

In 1976-77 he returned to Bayview as a coach, serving under Roy Barry initially, and then Dave Clarke, with whom he would form a highly successful managerial partnership in the years ahead.

Not only would the duo oversee promotion to the First Division in 1983-84, ably assisted by Danny Hendrie, they would bring players such as Steve Kirk, Gordon Marshall, Gordon Durie, John Inglis and David Kirkwood through the Bayview ranks.

Indeed, under their stewardship, East Fife were within touching distance of a place in the Premier League itself.

Marshall accompanied Clarke to Falkirk in 1987 where they helped the Brockville side, against the odds, avoid relegation from the top division. The duo returned to Bayview in 2001 to manage the club, with Marshall taking on the reigns as caretaker boss after Clarke’s departure for several games.

Away from football Mike Marshall was employed as a hugely respected physical education teacher at Kirkland High School in his home town of Methil, and will be fondly remembered by his former pupils and colleagues.

The Bayview side said: “East Fife Football Club would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Mike’s family and friends at this extremely sad time.”