JUNIOR football in the latter half of 2014 proved to be every bit as eventful as the opening six months.

And the action from July to December has given fans the perfect springboard for an exciting 2015.

So as we look back, we recall there is no lack of transfer activity.

Some players make more than one move and Senior clubs continue to make signing raids on the Junior ranks - even from as far afield as Malta.

And the pressure on team managers is unrelenting and contributes to fully 12 hotseat changes.

A record seven Junior clubs gain entry to the William Hill Scottish Cup proper and give a decent account of themselves.

However, none make it into the hat for the fifth-round draw made in early December.

And the game is left much poorer for the passing of two outstanding characters - Benburb's legendary winger Tommy Douglas and the Yoker and West Region official David McAllister, whose popularity is recognised by massive Junior turnouts at their respective funeral services.

JULY:

Close-season moves abound with Rob Roy gaffer Stewart Maxwell posting 11 new signings, most notably Paul Finnigan (Shotts ) and Cumbernauld United pair Scott Upton and Dominic O'Halloran in the wake of the Kirkintilloch outfit's relegation to the Super First Division.

But prolific Rabs hitman Willie Sawyers joins ambitious Irvine Meadow, who also land another Adamslie Park ace Ryan Deas as well as Jordan Murch (Petershill), ex-Celt Tony McParland and Mark McLennan (Pollok).

Maxi's erstwhile No.2 Billy Thomson opts for taking up the reins at Girvan, Arthurlie boss Gavin Duncan brings in Mark Cameron as his No.2, John Brogan drops out of the Juniors to assume control of Lowland League side Broomhill S.C.

And Thorniewood United's surprise sacking of Kieron McGuinness sparks dressing-room unrest that culminates in the new incumbent, Andy Frame inheriting just one player - striker Stephen Mullen - from the previous playing squad.

Relegated Pollok finally capture Carlo Monti (Dundee) as well as Paul Gallagher (Queen's Park) and Tam Hanlon (Shotts).

But Tony McInally loses out on another of his former Hannah Park charges Bryan Wharton who steps up to Queen's Park.

Macca is again thwarted as midfield target Stevie Meechan (Linlithgow Rose) opts to join Kilbirnie Ladeside, who also land striker Ian Diack from the East Region giants, defender Kieron McAnespie (Stirling Albion) and juvenile striking prospect Graham Boyd.

Clydebank miss out on Boyd, but sign Andy Irvine (Greenock), Graham Mort (Renfrew) and Graham Ramage (Arthurlie).

Hurlford United snap up ex-Hibs midfielder Ross Chisholm and Chris Robertson (Cumnock)

Blantyre Vics are boosted by the acquisitions of Lee McShane (Ashfield) and Andy Sinclair (Benburb) and there's an eve-of-season blow for Vale of Clyde after top scoring striker Scott McManus - nephew of Walter Smit h- is enticed into joining Clyde

Pre-season friendly games get underway towards the end of the month and the Winters brothers Davie and Robbie notably team up together for Pollok before veteran Robbie signs on the dotted line for Rossvale.

Wishaw rack up an impressive 1-0 victory away to Scottish Cup holders Hurlford, while a double setback befalls an Auchinleck Talbot side inclusive of trialists Kevin Finlayson and Gordon Dick as they suffer defeat by Ardeer Thistle and cornerstone defender Martin McGoldrick suffers a broken foot injury.

AUGUST:

Newly-promoted Shotts Bon Accord capture Anton McDowell from Bellshill Athletic, who flex their own transfer muscles to land ex-Pollok pair Zander Cowie and Lee Nichol, Gary McGrath (St Anthonys) and Mark McCarry ( Glencairn).

Petershill sign striker Scott Sally while the addition of ex-Kilbirnie goalkeeper Danny McLeay leads to Springburn No.1 Mikey White joining Arthurlie, who fix up other newcomers in the shape of one-time Hamilton Accies full-back Connor McGlinchey and Danny Burns (Lanark United ).

The Yowes are further disappointed when centre-back Liam Mushet plumps for a move to Shotts and they are then pipped in the race to sign ex-Motherwell stopper Willie Kinniburgh by Wishaw.

Glencairn bring in Steven McLung (Shettleston) and Pollok stopper Reece McGillion moves across the city to Greenfield Park, where Bob Campbell (Neilston) and ex-Senior goalkeeper Bryn Halliwell also come on board .

Cumbernauld United recruit Gary Carroll (Sauchie) and veteran midfielder Kevin Finlayson while Gordon Dick agrees to go on trial with Shotts .

The opening Sectional League Cup fixtures are played and Euroscot Eng Cup holders Clydebank make a winning start to the defence of their crown with a 1-0 triumph over Maryhill.

However, reigning Ardagh Glass kingpins Cumnock are held to a 2-2 draw by near neighbours Glenafton.

Pollok release Craig Borland but are rocked by fans favourite Monti agreeing a move to Maltese side Zeebugga Rangers on top of midfield duo Willie Howie and Alan Lindsay incurring career-threatening knee injuries likely to sideline them for the entire season.

Irvine Meadow stalwart Paul Maxwell is likewise badly injured playing against Kilbirnie whose latest arrival is Billy Gibson (Linlithgow), while skillful Rob Roy winger Owen Ronald , heads for Cumnock along with striking quartet Ryan Metcalfe , Darren Mitchell, Paul Quinn and Ryan Nisbet.

The Scottish Junior Cup first round draw takes place at Newlandsfield.

Ardeer Thistle manager Derek Cook tenders his resignation and McInally moves to strengthen his injury ravaged Pollok midfield by signing John Sweeney (Clyde) and Finlay Frye (Glenafton).

SEPTEMBER:-

It's bread and butter time as the Stagecoach Leagues get underway and West Region champions Auchinleck Talbot send out a message of intent with an 8-2 thrashing of Beith.

Richie Barr fails to prevent Arthurlie going down to a 2-0 defeat from one of his former employers Irvine Meadow, but there's better luck for Shotts frontman Sean McKenna who scores the only goal of the game against former club Petershill.

Cumbernauld United beat Port Glasgow 3-0 to reach the Euroscot Eng Final, but the Wishaw v Blantyre Vics semi-final is postponed after Arthurlie (beaten by Vics in a Quarter Final clash ) lodge an ineligible player protest that is later withdrawn, but not without the Barrhead club incurring the wrath of West Region beaks .

The last-four encounter has to be switched to a Saturday and Blantyre run out emphatic 5-2 winners to seal a final date,.

Junior clubs fare well in the William Hill Scottish Cup with six clubs making it into the second-round draw and only Girvan eliminated.

Maryhill keeper Jack Baker asks away and joins Glasgow Perthshire. John Brogan resigns at Broomhill, Rob Roy sign Ryan Tiffney (Albion Rovers) and Davie Barr (Glencairn) while Petershill frontman Chris Mackie goes out on loan to his former club St Anthonys and scores in a 3-1 Govan derby win over Benburb.

Beith talisman Kenny McLean quits football saying he needs time away from the game and Richie Barr quits Arthurlie, whose manager Gavin Duncan brings in Chris Dallas on loan from Albion Rovers and then resigns due to family commitments, leaving Mark Cameron in temporary charge.

Brian Johnston walks away from Lanark who install John Brogan at the helm while a Hannah Park half-time bust up during a game against Kilbirnie results in top scorer Sean McKenna being transfer listed.

Scottish Junior Cup openers are marked by Petershill crashing to a shock defeat by Hermes, Wishaw tumbling out against Sauchie and Irvine Meadow winning 2-0 at Cambuslang Rangers.

OCTOBER:

Beith fend off Pollok and Clydebank to fix up McKenna from Shotts and Billy Thomson's resignation from Girvan is followed by Brian McLuckie stepping down as Cumnock manager in the wake of a 5-0 derby hammering from Auchinleck.

Glenafton full-back Craig McEwan is appointed to the Arthurlie hotseat and misses out on the Glens lifting the first silverware of the new season with a deserved 2-0 Ardagh Glass Cup defeat of Auchinleck.

Wishaw supporters are stunned as John McKeown leaves to take over at Cumnock where he suffers a 6-0 West of Scotland Cup hiding from Auchinleck in his first game in charge and the vacant Beltane Park dugout post is then filled by Chris McGroarty who is duly replaced at Forth Wanderers by Jamie McKenzie.

Stevie Docherty quits as coach at Kilbirnie Ladeside, who snap up Arthurlie's transfer-listed striker Richie Bar and a row erupts at Central First Division leading lights Bellshill Athletic over unpaid wages.

In the Scottish Junior Cup second round ties, Pollok are 4-0 winners against Whitletts Vics who sell centre-back Craig Buchanan to Cumnock on the morning of the game in time to make his debut along with another defensive newcomer, Steven Lowe (Glencairn), in a 3-1 victory over Newmachars.

Bo'ness United defeat Elgin City to stand alone as the only Junior survivor in the William Hill Scottish Cup.

NOVEMBER:

A first trophy success in over 30 years comes to Cumbernauld United after dramatically overcoming Blantyre Vics on penalty kicks to take the Euroscot Eng Cup honours despite having trailed 3-1 with five regulation time minutes left to play.

Largs Thistle transfer list James Marks and Barry McLaughlin, Cumnock lure Ryan Kennedy away from Wishaw, Blantyre Vics invite offers for goalkeeper Paul Burns, while Pollok reinstate Ryan Scanlon from Montrose and loan promising youngsters Thomas Clark and Michael McGhee to Lanark United.

Auchinleck Talbot hammer Irvine Meadow 4-0 in Scottish Cup third round, cup holders Hurlford get the better of Shotts, Blantyre Vics triumph away to Lochee United.

But last season's beaten finalists Glenafton go down 2-1 at home to Rob Roy.

And Bo'nessUnited take a 5-0 mauling from Arbroath to exit the big Scottish Cup .

Cumnock raid Wishaw again for Kieron Downs, Clydebank land Annan Athletic frontman Derek Carcary while Blantyre Vics deal in experienced goalkeeper Kevin Macklin and ex-Glencairn striker Gavin Ross.

The managerial merry-go-round sees Peter Leonard walk away from Maybole, while Steff McMillan quits at Whitletts Vics and is replaced by Rikky Ryland whose newly-vacated Saltcoats Vics post is quickly filled by Derek "Freddy" Frye .

Mark Cameron's return to the game as Kilbirnie Ladeside coach is eclipsed by former Lanark United boss Brian Johnston .resurfacing as a player with Thorniewood United.

DECEMBER:-

Scottish Junior Cup fourth-round draw is held in the Evening Times Offices and the pick of the ties sees trophy holders Hurlford pitted against East Region champions Bo'ness, Pollok hosting the visit of Cumnock and Arthurlie taking on Rob Roy

Barrhead boss McEwan who is keen to fix up loan striker Dallas on a permanent deal puts Ryan Jordan up for sale and is reputedly keen to add Craig Palmer from Petershill to his playing hand but signing talks come to nothing..

Troon bring in striker Pat Walker (Glenafton), Petershill snap up Dale Clark from the amateur ranks and one-time Chorley Town midfielder Liam Davies throws in his lot with Shettleston whose flying winger Ryan McRone emigrates to Australia.

Carlo Walker brings the curtain down on his stint as Lugar Boswell manager to take up the reins at Maybole, where he enjoyed a ten-year playing stint, and he is replaced at Rosebank Park by former Kilwinning Rangers chief George Grierson.

Petershill agree a loan exchange deal taking experienced forward Steven McDonald to Rob Roy, whose out-of-favour striker Dominic O'Halloran moves to Springburn and the forever trading Kilbirnie Ladeside release Josh Horne while placing Ian Diack on the open to transfer list.

Cumnock add Tony Low and goalkeeper John Mullen(Blantyre Vics), but one cannot help but feel saddened that one of the most dynamic Junior strikers of recent years - David Gormley - has agreed to join Clyde.