JANUARY

Largs AFC kicked off 2016 with a resounding 4-0 victory over Knockentiber AFC to reach Round 2 of the Donsport Trophy - The goals were scored by Tyler, Alexander (2), and McGowan.

Largs Thistle had an inauspicious start to 2016 with their first league defeat since April 2015 when they lost 1-0 to bottom club Maybole in a snow storm at Barrfields Park. Thistle's season table topping position was under threat following a 1-1 draw with Cumbernauld.

Life of Bryan ... Thistle manager Bryan Slavin admitted he felt the club were 'off the pace' after the festive period, and called on his squad to put in an extra effort into training. "Now I'm not saying every squad member should live like a monk, watch what they eat constantly and avoid alcohol completely. But if they want to be successful, they must be mindful of certain standards."

FEBRUARY

Largs Thistle U19s beat Ewan United 3-1 in a thrilling derby encounter at Barrfields. Ewan United took the lead through Neil Jones, but Lloyd Dicks notched a superb second half hat-trick.

A rising netball star from Largs Academy was given a once in a lifetime opportunity to compete with the South of Scotland Development Squad. Ciara Knox-McLean, who dedicates most of her time to the sport, showcased her talents in the try outs and her hops of joining the National Netball Team and representing her country with right on track.

Largs Golf Club had set up a new junior academy for children aged 8-14 in the area, with training provided by club professional Andy Fullen.

Memories of yesteryear ... Thistle fans enjoyed a Sunday brunch with some of the 1994 Largs Thistle Scottish Cup winning team. Skipper Jimmy Murray, defender George Wall, and full-back Andy Elliot recalled the fantastic Scottish Cup run. Assistant manger Ossie Findlay, 82, and match secretary Taffy Dicks, from the 1994 era, also gave fascinating insights, while fans got the opportunity to ask questions and pose with the legends, and the Scottish Cup itself.

Largs Archery Club juniors hit the bullseye once more with Darren Armstrong and Declan MacDougall among the medal winners.

MARCH

A young Largs swimming startlet who is partially sighted could be making waves at the Rio Paralympics, the 'News' predicted. Abby Kane, 12, swam the record time at the Ulster International 1:12:40 in the 100m backstroke, and placed Abby in a strong position for the Brazil Games, after finishing almost a second faster than the consideration time for Rio.

Largs runner Emma Baxter set a new personal best at the World Half Marathon championships under challenging conditions. The Greenock Glenpark Harrier recorded 1-28-29 in Cardiff at the prestigious 13.1 mile race which was shown live on TV.

Thistle recovered from their new year slump with important wins against Winton, Shotts and Blantyre to maintain their promotion push in the McBookie.com First Division. The Barrfields side were seven points clear at the end of March.

Largs Colts 2002 overcame Valspar to make it through to the League Cup Final. Colts had been on superb form, winning all eight games in 2016.

Largs Karate Club showed they were top of the chops with a a series of grading achievements. Grant Arneil, Estella Connor and Eva Barbour passed 9th Kyu orange belt, and Duncan Conner passed 1st Kyu, his last stop before black belt.

APRIL

Largs Colts 2002 won the Ayrshire League Cup with a magnificent 3-1 win over Ayr Boswell. McTaggart, Smith and Bainbridge notched the goals at Kilwinning Sports Centre.

Thistle boss Bryan Slavin admitted that Thistle were now promotion underdogs after a mixed bag of results. A 2-0 defeat at Blantyre and a draw at Clydebank meant that other teams in the chasing pack could catch Largs at the top of the table.

And Slavin himself saw red at Abbey Park in one of the most controversial moments of the season to date as Largs threw away a two goal lead to crash 5-2 at Kilwinning Rangers. It was sink or swim time for Thistle going into the final phase of games.

The tennis season was underway at Douglas Park in Largs as Largs Ladies tennis team got off to an opening win of the season at home to Coylton 2 while Largs 2 beat Ayr Carrick.

There was a large haul of medals for Largs Karate Club at the KUGB Scottish Karate Championship. In the children's Kata, G.Arneil produced a near flawless display to gain 1st and become Scottish champion.

Thistle U19s made it three wins on the spin with a class display to knock an awesome eight past Barrhead in their best performance of their inaugural season - Ross McKay (3), Lloyd Dicks (2), McKeen, Rafferty.

MAY

Largs Thistle pulled off one of the most remarkable promotion victories in their history with a late, late, turn around at Kilsyth. Thistle had beaten Cumnock 4-3 in a memorable thriller at Barrfields, but missed a last gasp penalty against Winton Rovers, meaning that Thistle had to beat Kilsyth to be assured of at least a play-off place. After going 1-0 down on the hour mark, Thistle turned it round in the last two minutes with goals from James Marks and Sean Pierce, to guarantee a promotion berth. Thistle boss Bryan Slavin hailed his players for showing great belief right to the very end, and performing an incredible turnaround.

Two Largs gymnasts showed their class at the Celtic Cup Competition - Kacey Morrison and Anna Hollins. Both girls from Largs Gymnastics Club competed for Scotland in the Celtic Cup competition on the Isle of Man. In the individual titles Kacey won the Gold and the title, and Anna took the bronze.

Largs runner Emma Baxter won an unusual road race in Barcelona which involved running around one of the world's most famous buildings - eight times. Competitors raced around the Sagrada Familia church on a 5.3 mile challenge.

Largs Rotary Fun Run was a fantastic success with the male winner Eliot Sedman of Largs, and the female winner Adele Walker.

Largs legendary golfer Sam Torrance told the 'News' that he was delighted to attend the historic 125th anniversary Pro-Am event at Kelburn Golf Club

Sam, who is a former Ryder Cup winning player and captain, returned to his hometown course, in a prestigious Pro-Am, and said: "It is great to be back at Largs Golf Club for its 125th anniversary - I am just so glad I could make it."

JUNE

The death of Muhammad Ali prompted tributes from all over the world, and even in the 'News'. Grandfather Drew Purdon, 76, recalled how he was 'shaking like a leaf' when he met the greatest sportsman of the 20th century when working in a bank in Glasgow in the early 1960s. Muhammad was taking part in a bout at Paisley Rink, and was visiting the bank Drew was working at in Glasgow to cash travellers cheques.

Thistle narrowly missed out on the First Division title on goal difference but manager Bryan Slavin praised his players and said promotion was still a big achievement.

Cumbrae Watersports Centre celebrated its 40th anniversary. Centre Principal John Kent said: "It is really quite amazing that the Marquis of Bute opened Scotland's first national watersports centre which was quite a leap of faith for the Scottish Sports Council. From the beginning the centre has gone from strength to strength in its 40 years of operation."

Largs young gymnasts certainly showed what a talented group they are with their performance of 'Fire and Ice' at the GymFest event in the Magnum in Irvine.

Largs Ladies tennis club served up some top form in the sunshine to beat main rivals Ayr Lawn 1 and returned to the first division of Ayrshire tennis at the first time of asking.

Largs Colts were presented with the SFA Quality Mark club status, not long after Largs Thistle FC had also received the accreditation.