In this week"s Know Your Largs, we look back to dark days when the authorities kicked footballers off Broomfields and banned the sport from recreational areas of the town, sparking an outcry.

The 'News' recalled in 1886: 'Some years ago, when football became popular, the young men of the town formed a club, and began to practice first of all on Broomfields. To this the authorities objected, and the club managed, with the assistance of their friends, to rent a field for this purpose.' The terms were exorbitant and the club despite playing some excellent football were forced to fold. There were other occasions to play the game at Mackerston Green and Broomfields, and on some occasions were 'roughly conducted as might have been expected when there was no ruling power'.

The authorities again put the veto on the game being played and consequently the lads had nowhere to play, it was reported in May 8 1886. 'Much heart-breaking has been caused among the youths of the town among the youths about this arbitrary action and it has been roughly asserted that they went way beyond their powers when they put a stop to the game on these places as, argue the players, the ground were given to the people of Largs for the purpose of recreation, and that is all they were using it for.

'We cannot but think that the Commissioners did what was right when the put a stop to playing at the Mackerston and Broomfields as such places have at considerable cost to public funds and great trouble, been put in a state for general enjoyment for all of the taxpayers.

'Now the playing of cricket and football on these grounds stops the general right, and makes a monopoly of the privileges to those who indulge in these games.

'Besides this, the conduct of many who take part in these games has ben so rough and the language used so filthy that this itself was quite enough excuse for the authorities to interfere to protect residents and strollers alike from such scenes and sounds as were too frequently seen and heard.' The 'News' called on the authorities to find grounds within the town for the purposes of "manly sports" for a minimal rent, but could have the power to expel members for any aggravated offences to encourage healthy games and prevent mis-conduct so that officials of clubs would have to see that their players are well behaved. Largs Thistle started in 1889 and played at Aubery, Mansfield, Kelvin Park and then moved to Barrfields in 1930.