Tributes paid to former Raith assistant boss Martin Harvey

Tributes have been paid to former Raith Rovers assistant manager Martin Harvey, who has died aged 78.

Mr Harvey was a key part of Jimmy Nicholl’s management set-up in the league and Coca-cola Cup-winning sides of the 1990s, and was greatly respected by all while at Stark’s Park.

He played for Sunderland for his entire career from 1959 to 1972, mainly as a wing-half before having to retire at the age of 30 due to injuries.

In that time he won 34 caps for Northern Ireland, scoring three goals.

His coaching career started at Sunderland on his retiral before moving to Carlisle in the late 1970s.

In 1980 he took over as Carlisle caretaker manager, replacing Bobby Moncur, saving the club from relegation, before securing the job on a permanent basis.

Next stop saw Martin join Plymouth Argyle in 1981 as assistant manager to Bobby Moncur before he got the call to get involved in international football again at the 1982 World Cup in Spain as assistant manager to Billy Bingham.

It was in the international set-up that he first worked with Jimmy Nicholl, and he again served as assistant manager with his country at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

In 1990 Nicholl was appointed manager of Raith, with Harvey being one of his first signings.

Following Nicholl’s resignation from Stark’s Park, Martin joined him at Millwall as his assistant, which proved to be his last job in the game before he retired to live in Devon.

A minute’s applause was held prior to last night’s home game with Forfar as a mark of respect.

Martin Harvey was at Raith during the club’s most successful spell.