YET another memorable year has almost come and gone in Junior football and once again the spotlight has fallen on Auchinleck Talbot yet again to the fore in rewriting their remarkable Scottish Junior Cup record to read 11 trophy wins.

And who’s to say there isn’t another chapter to come under the leadership of unassuming boss Tommy Sloan who has steered his Ayrshire club into this season’s last-16 where bitter rivals Cumnock await in a fifth-round tie.

The past 12 months has brought the resurgence of famous old clubs Pollok, Rob Roy, Shettleston and not forgetting St Roch's while relative newcomers Rossvale continue to make significant upwards strides under Martin Lauchlan.

Not every story has a happy ending and arguably the most tragic of all befell remote Ayrshire outfit Maybole whose skipper Stuart McGrady passed away in his sleep last March.

JANUARY

The year gets underway with Irvine Meadow topping the Super Premier Division while Pollok increase their lead atop the Super First Division with a 4-3 victory over nearest challengers Shettleston.

Rossvale striking prospect Yammi Misanjo nets four times in a 5-1 defeat of Johnstone Burgh and Greenock’s 3-1 win against rivals Largs Thistle brings about the resignation of Theesel boss Sandy McLean.

Tommy Bryce steps down as manager of Glenafton whose replacement is Arthurlie gaffer Craig McEwan just three months into his Barrhead reign and his shock departure leads to Lie goalkeeping coach Billy Peacock taking over as interim boss.

Cumnock lose out to Arthurlie in a bid for Albion Rovers front man Chris Dallas and Nock boss John McKeown refutes reports linking his hitman Robert Love with a move to arch enemies Auchinleck Talbot whose own top scorer David Gormley’s proposed step up to Clyde is scuppered when manager Tommy Sloan pulls the plug on his transfer move.

Senior football’s transfer window sees loan deals abound with Kilbirnie fixing up Stranraer pair Kevin Forde and Sam McLoskey, Pollok net Ryan McCann and Dean Richardson from Peterhead, while Petershill land Clyde frontman Michael Daly.

The Peasy then transfer list Liam Finnigan, Neilston procure Daniel Mackay from Beith , Kilbirnie snap up defender Simon Marriot and offload Ian Diack to Sauchie while remarkable old-stager Andy McLay makes a playing return at Vale of Clyde, aged 42 years.

Peter Leonard is installed as manager of lowly Girvan and Brian Slaven’s appointment at Largs Thistle culminates in a 3-2 triumph over Ardeer Thistle in his first game in charge.

Rossvale are beaten 5-3 by Musselburgh in the Scottish Junior Cup' while Kilbirnie overcome Kilsyth Rangers and Auchinleck go through at the expense of Port Glasgow.

FEBRUARY

Arthurlie entice away management team Robert Downs and Stevie Aitchison from Central First Division leaders Bellshill Athletic whose vacancy is immediately filled by experienced player/coach Brian McGinty.

Highly-regarded striker Kevin Watt joins Rob Roy on loan from Clyde, Johnstone Burgh prospect Lee Cochrane signs for Auchinleck and wingers are in demand with St Mirren ,Hamilton Accies and Dumbarton showing interest in Irvine Meadow flier Gary McCann as well as Mark Lamony of Petershill.

Pollok put Marco Andreoni up for sale and allow goalkeeper Ross Harkness to join Sauchie prior to Mark McLennan returning to Newlandsfield from Irvine Meadow.

Arthurlie boss Downs strengthens his backroom team by enlisting Alan Waddell as coach while Rutherglen Glencairn’s hitman Dennis McLaughlin’s recovery from a serious knee injury is marked by him playing his first game in almost two years.

Auchinleck march on in Scottish Cup with a replay win over Bonnyrigg Rose, Pollok overcome St Andrews, Shettleston knock out Clydebank and Yoker seal a place in last eight as Ryan Frew nets the only goal of the game against Lesmahagow.

MARCH

Rossvale are crowned Central Second Division champions following a 4-2 success at home to Vale of Leven and St Roch's emerge as a promotion candidate on the back of a four game winning run.

A surprise transfer switch sees midfielder Mark Thomson drop down to Blantyre Vics from Irvine Meadow who then land Finnigan from Petershill and release Josh Flood to join Rob Roy who also bring in Thomas Collins and Lee Davidson on loan from Queens Park while Vale of Clyde take full-back Ryan Scanlon from Pollok.

The last four standing in the Scottish Junior Cup is established by Auchinleck winning 4-1 at Shettleston, Hurlford United getting the better of Pollok, Linlithgow Rose overcoming Yoker and Musselburgh coming out on top against Penicuik Athletic.

John Fallon is announced as new manager of Newmains United while a return of one point from a possible nine forces Maryhill’s experienced management team of Brian Heron and George Wall to quit their Lochburn Park posts and leave experienced player/coach Michael Tolland as interim boss.

APRIL

Alan Wardlaw calls time on a 33-year association with Junior football after stepping down as East Kilbride Thistle manager, Pollok raise eyebrows by signing veteran striker Robbie Winters from Rossvale, while both East Stirling and Clyde are reputedly keen on Cumbernauld United stopper Danny Boyle.

Auchinleck Talbot beat last four opponents Hurlford United 5-2 on aggregate to clinch an anything but unlucky 13th Scottish Junior Cup Final appearance against Musselburgh Athletic, 5-4 victors over Linlithgow Rose.

Petershill march into the Euroscot Eng League Cup last 16 with a 2-0 win against Pollok whose consolation is to move eight points clear atop the Super First Division pile after chasing pair Shettleston and Rob Roy both falter.

Cumnock and Clydebank are officially relegated from the Super Premier Division, while Irvine Meadow’s 1-0 defeat by Shotts Bon Accord in tandem with Auchinleck running out 2-0 winners over Kilbirnie sees Talbot open up a five-point lead atop the standings.

MAY

Thorniewood United are relegated from the Super First Division along with Ardeer Thistle , Neilston and Irvine Vics, and shocks abound in the West of Scotland Cup as holders Auchinleck exit at home to Ardrossan Winton Rovers and Pollok tumble out against Wishaw.

St Roch's bear Royal Albert 3-2 and clinch promotion while league leaders Bellshill go up from the First Division along with Blantyre Vics who may yet pip their Lanarkshire rivals to the title.

Kilbirnie Ladeside secure safety from relegation with a last game 0-0 draw with Auchinleck who win a third successive title with a 2-1 defeat of closest challengers Hurlford.

The transfer rumours begin with Irvine Meadow full back Mark Sideserf said to be moving to Super First champions Pollok during the close season along with Ross McCabe (Petershill), and Colin Williamson (Cumnock).

The Evening Times Champions Cup gets underway controversially as Rossvale defeat Winton Rovers but are then eliminated after a protest is upheld stating they fielded ineligible players.

Queens Park are reputed to be on the trail of Jambo McLernon (Glenafton) and winger Joe Bradley of Beith whose own transfer moves bring on board Richie Burke (Petershill) Stephen Grindley (Dumbarton and Tommy Martin (Clydebank).

Cambuslang Rangers part company with manager John Doyle and appoint Paul McColl in his stead but the biggest managerial upset is at newly promoted Bellshill where Brian McGinty tenders his resignation.

And Robert Downs lands his first silverware as Arthurlie boss in overseeing a 4-1 West of Scotland Cup Final win over Kilwinning Rangers despite the red carding of skipper Ryan McGregor.

JUNE

Auchinleck Talbot supporters are in Scottish Junior Cup dreamland as Dwayne Hyslop and Gordon Pope (pen) goals seal a 2-1 Rugby Park win over Musselburgh.

Rob Roy are promoted with a play-off victory over Shotts Bon Accord while a 2-0 defeat of Vale of Clyde sees the David Greig steered Blantyre Vics take the Central First Division honours.

The Vics then suffer double Cup heartache as their weary players lose the Euroscot Eng League Cup Final to Thorniewood on penalty kicks and suffer a 3-1 defeat by Pollok in the Evening Times finale.

Transfers grab all the headlines as Irvine Meadow beat Pollok to the signature of Queens Park duo Ross McPherson and Sean Fraser but are thwarted as Tony McInally lands Derek Hepburn from Vale of Clyde.

Mark Staunton signs for Stirling Albion but six weeks later is reinstated by Kilbirnie Ladeside who also acquire Kyle Rafferty (Arthurlie) and Ryan Haxton (Cumbernauld Utd) and relegated Cumnock bring in Rutherglen Glencairn;s Ross Mcneil and Del Esplin.

One time Aberdeen and Kilmarnock defender David Lilley is revealed as the new man at charge of Bellshill, where his No.2 is Bryan Dingwall and Maryhill Under-21’s successful gaffer is handed the Lochburn Park helm.