LARGO C. C. …a brief history (1983-2008)

 

1983:

Club’s inception, membership of approx. 18 (inc. 3 juniors from neighbouring secondary school), fulfilling a number of friendly Sunday afternoon fixtures.  Ground at Silverburn, Leven.

1984-85:

Development of East Drive, Upper Largo as home ground.  Decision to return something to the community in the way of softball cricket for local primary children.

1986-91:

Steady increase in membership (approx. 36)…more Sunday games played…junior teams created at under 13 and under 15 level, playing against other junior club teams in Fife league and competing in Scottish Cup.  Softball cricket numbers on the rise.

1992:

 Decision taken to enter a team in the East of Scotland Leagues in addition to maintaining our traditional friendly/social fixtures on Sundays

1993:

1st XI gains promotion.

1995-96:

Membership of senior and junior sections continues to grow (approx 50 seniors and 20 juniors).  Largo’s ground being constantly highly rated by visiting teams.

1997:

With increasing numbers of youngsters progressing through our junior sections, decision taken to enter a second team into East of Scotland leagues.

1998-02

1998 sees us win Sportscotland grant enabling us to purchase artificial wicket, sightscreen, scoreboard and water supply to the wicket.  In 1999 we host our first representative fixture, East of Scotland Under 16 v Netherlands Under 16 and are complimented on our staging of the game.  Youth policy paying handsome dividends with players from this stage of our development now representing at least half of our 1st team, who win the Scottish Small Clubs Cup in 2002, gaining further promotion to Division 2 of the East of Scotland leagues.  2nd XI win promotion in successive years as champions in 2001 and runners-up in 2002 and now compete in Division 5 of ESCA leagues.

2004-06

Senior and junior teams continue to compete well at their respective levels with 1st XI narrowly missing promotion to Division 1 in 2006, 2nd XI being promoted to Division 4 and the Under 15 team narrowly being defeated by Forfarshire in the quarter final of the Scottish Cup…the first time they have reached this stage of the competition.

2006-07:

Largo Under 15 team progress to semi-final of Scottish Cup.   Membership continuing to grow…decision taken to enter 3rd XI in ESCA leagues with at least five junior players being selected for each game.  Eight Largo senior players take Cricketscotland Level 1 Coaching qualification.  Club coaches enter feeder primary schools to give ‘taster’ courses, resulting in ever increasing numbers of children coming to Thursday evening Kwikcricket sessions…Lundin Mill Primary and Lawhead progress to Scottish finals with Lawhead just failing to progress to British finals at Trent Bridge.  Largo host numerous Fife Kwikcricket and Intercricket tournaments and are recognised for their efforts in junior development and quality of playing arena by being asked to host several representative games between Scotland’s select youth teams.  Largo’s junior teams particularly at Under 13 and Under 11 level enjoy an almost unbeaten season.

2007: 

Largo 3rd XI win Division 8 championship.  Decision to enter 4th XI (to cope with ever increasing number of junior and senior members)  postponed pending search for second playing arena.  Club membership at all-time high…circa 50 senior and social members and 80 in the junior section.  6 Largo juniors selected for Caledonian Academy trials (leading on to selection for national squad selection).

2008:

The 2008 season started with a well attended Dinner Dance with the Ramprakash/Gough element in the club showing some fine form on the dance floor.  The evening inevitably took many past and present members on a trip down memory lane and included  rousingly sung versions of Teddy Bears' Picnic and Singing in the Rain!  Largo's first overseas amateur, Australian Ben Stinson, was given a rapturous welcome by all and sundry to the accompaniment of 'Tie my kangaroo down sport'. Largo's teams have made a promising start to the season with only the second eleven yet to hit the victory trail but with many of Largo's youngsters promoted to the team, the future bodes well.

The first eleven, with four wins out of five, are in fine form, while the third eleven are more than holding their own in Division 7. The junior sides, who have trained hard throughout the winter, have so far continued their winning ways of 2007 and many are now finding their cricketing feet playing with the seniors in the newly formed fourth (development) eleven, led by Willie Anderson. Dick Dakin, long standing club servant, was nominated by Committee for the East Fife Sports Council Service to Sport Award which he duly won. A good omen for the Club just as the season began The Club's coaching resources were further strengthened as President Alistair Matthews and Brent Bentley successfully completed their Level 1 programmes and Ian Brown became the first Largo player to achieve the Level 2 award.

The summer promises a number of exciting anniversary celebrations...next in the calendar is the game between Largo and the SCU President's XI at East Drive on Sunday 29 June when a sunny day and big crowd are hoped for.  For more information on forthcoming events, watch this space!

 

 

Other History Pages

Opening of East Drive  First Match 1983  Cricket Post War  Interesting Facts