BACK in 1977, king of rock 'n roll Elvis Presley died, the Sex Pistols shocked the nation with their controversial lyrics and Liverpool FC won their first European Cup.

Also in that year, Beith Amateurs FC were formed and entered the Ayrshire Amateur Football Leagues.

Forty years on and they are still going strong, getting ready for another season.

The landmark anniversary was recently celebrated with a legends v the current team match on a glorious sunny day at Beith Public Park.

The game was played in a great spirit, with the current team coming out on top, but you could definitely see why some of the old team are called legends.

Over the years there have been many highs and lows, comings and goings but the team spirit has remained strong.

There are too many individuals to thank for their support and giving up their time, especially during the tougher times, club officials don’t want to offend anyone by missing them out.

Beith Amateurs FC have been providing opportunities and structure to young men’s lives and aim to carry on at least for another 40 years with the continued support of the town and local community.

They won the Nancy White Memorial Trophy twice. Beith Ams lost the James Scott Memorial Trophy 3-0 against Knockentiber in 1986-87 and also to the same team, losing 1-0 to Tiber in 1992-93. They lost the Ayrshire Cup final 2-1 to Clark Drive in 1987-88. In 1991-92 they helped Ardrossan Castle Rovers win the First Division North (then the top league)without kicking a ball. The Garnock Valley club defeated Clark Drive 3-2 to deny the Irvine club the title.

Success finally followed when they won the Second Division North in 2001-2 and 2003-4, as well as the Charles McKerrow Trophy in 2003-4.

Thanks to all past players, officials and supporters for everything over the years and good luck to Sammy Simpson and Cammy Murray, the current management team and players as they embark on writing the next chapter of the Beith Amateurs story.

Former player/manager/secretary and trainer Hugh Samson, who was involved with the club for 20 years said: "It's really good in this day and age when you hear of teams folding that we are still on the go. This is a team for the town and it's a good thing.People working at the club would make sure everything was in order for the next people coming in."

The club are indebted to Grant Kerr, Alan McFarlane, Lindsay Ferguson, Boyd Jamieson, Ian Hodgart, Gordon Brown, Hugh Samson, Ian McDonald, Jim Watson, Steve Anderson in the more modern era we have had Michael Jackson, Raymond Dillon, Colin Hunter, Cammy Murray and Sammy Simpson along with Dougie Morrison, who did all the admin. Many women who were connected to the guys at the club have helped with washing strips, coffee mornings and making soup, as well as answering phone calls."

If you would like to try out for the team or can offer something to the backroom staff or sponsorship, please get in touch with the club secretary on 07856 744 082