Ex Auchinleck Talbot star loving life at Largs Thistle

Liam said: "Going into the new West of Scotland Football League, we hope to be one of the fittest teams - and right now the boys are looking really sharp and we are really excited to get going.
"All the boys are injury free and raring to go.
"Fans can expect an exciting line up, with Keir Milliken and his wealth of experience winning cups and leagues with Talbot and Beith. 
"His record speaks for itself, and he will weigh in with goals - the onus won't just be on Addy [Scott Adam] up front. The likes of Stuart Faulds may only be 21 but he has now amassed a lot of experience at Largs - and the young players who joined us last season are improving all the time. 

Pic by Ryan Scott Photography
"Craig Forbes is a machine in training - he did the running bleep test and just kept on going! Ben Black is looking fit, and the Sewell twins are also looking good. We have welcomed back Graham Muir and he will provide experience and guidance to the younger guys. It is really shaping up well."
McVey signed as a player-coach in season 2017-18 as a left-back after receiving the call from Thistle boss and former team-mate Stuart Davidson.
Both McVey and Davidson know each other well having played together for Auchinleck Talbot for many years, and they have brought a similar winning mentality to Thistle.
The 38-year-old said: "I love it at Largs - we have a great bunch of boys and a really good set-up.
"When I first signed here I didn't expect to play as much as I did - I have been playing amateur for a season with some of my mates when I got the call.
"I featured in the promotion winning season - coaching was a new concept to me so it took me around a year to find my feet. My calf injury flared up though so I decided to take a step back to concentrate fully on the coaching."
McVey was part of the coaching team which includes Davidson, assistant manager Martin Crawford, and Largs man Andy Scott.
He said: "The run we had in the 2018-19 season was incredible - playing each round we were not thinking about reaching the final but we grew in confidence the further we got into the tournament - and we thought we had a good wee chance.
"We had one of the best back fours in Laurie McMaster and Marty Orr, and our two centre halves, Nicky Jamieson and Creag Little, and with Addy banging in the goals up front with support from the likes of Ben Black, and Mark Millar pulling the strings together in midfield with the likes of Stuart Faulds and Graham Muir, it was an amazing season.
"One of the toughest moments was when we were 2-0 down at St Roch's in the fifth round replay - Arnie brought on Ryan McKie on wide left and his first goal, which he struck beautifully into the top right hand corner, was the turning point with 17 minutes to go. Our fitness really told in that game which was on a heavy park and we ran out 5-2 winners. 
"Arnie is always about the fitness - it is fitness first - and that concept certainly proved its value in that game."
However, McVey had the challenge of trying to outflank Auchinleck when Largs faced them in the 2019 Scottish Cup final.
He said: "We had been working hard in training all week warning the players of Talbot's strong points, particularly set-pieces, but Auchinleck managed to open the scoring in three minutes following a corner.

"It is always difficult when you give Talbot a goal of a start, so it was even harder when they scored their second goal. Some of the players who featured for Talbot, including 'keeper Andy Leishman, Steven White and Gordon Pope, were former team-mates of mine.
"However, despite the disappointment, it was an amazing season for us, beating the likes of Irvine Meadow, Kilbirnie, Cumnock and Kilwinning in real style."
Liam spent nine seasons with Auchinleck Talbot, winning one league title and three Scottish Cups - picking his highlight out as the 2006 double league and cup win.
He said: "We were considered underdogs. We scored a free-kick in the last minute against Maryhill in the league which helped seal the title, and then we beat Bathgate in the final .
"We were 1-0 up and I went and scored an own goal after a diving header ended up in the back of the net - I was relieved when we scored a late winner to make it 2-1 but it was well deserved. 
"Arnie played that day too - and then he went on to net the winner in the 2009 final against Clydebank.
"My last cup final I featured in was in 2011 when we beat Musselburgh."
McVey originally featured for Airdrieonians for a season before being signed by Gordon Dalziel's Glenafton where he attracted the interest of Talbot. After his glittering Auchinleck career, McVey signed for Rob Roy.
He said: "If you ask me what would you rather have won during your career - the league or the Scottish Cup - I'd have to say the Scottish Cup every time as it has more of a build-up to cup final day and with it being live on the TV, it really captures the imagination."
Looking back at his time at Largs, McVey said: "I feel it has been a learning exercise for me too as a coach and feel I have grown into the role.
"We have got a great team on the park and off it - and I am confident we can have a really good go in the new West of Scotland Football League set-up."