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! |
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Other History Pages |
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| Opening of East Drive | First Match 1983 | Cricket Post War | Interesting Facts |