A FORMER Largs Thistle defender says winning Scottish League Two with Stenhousemuir was the biggest achievement of his career so far.

Nicky Jamieson and his Warriors team-mates etched themselves into the history books after winning the first championship in the club's 140 years.

 The 27-year-old has played a major role in the historic campaign, with 30 appearances at the heart of the defence for Gary Naysmith's side, who surged to the top of the table when they set a club record of 12 straight wins earlier in the season and have remained there ever since.

The championship, and promotion to League One, were secured with four games to spare thanks to a goalless draw with East Fife on April 6.

Jamieson chalked up his 100th appearance for Stenny in February, less than a month after signing a new deal which will keep him at Ochilview until at least the end of the 2025/26 season.

It was also the first piece of silverware in Jamieson's career, despite a few close runs during his time at Largs.

"It was amazing," he commented. "You can see from the videos how much it meant to the fans and players.

Ayrshire Today: Nicky celebrates the title win.

"I’ve been aware since I joined that we had never won a title, so being able to play a part in that is very special.

"It’s the only thing I’ve won, so it's my best achievement by far. We got close at Largs, but sadly never managed to get it over the line."

It has been a career-defining season for the 27-year-old, who spent five years at Barrfields after signing up from Greenock Morton's youth ranks in 2014.

Jamieson was part of the Largs squad who won promotion to the top division of what was then the Scottish Junior FA's West region in 2016, as well as the finals of the Ayrshire Cup in 2018 and the Scottish Junior Cup the following year, all under the stewardship of current boss Stuart 'Arnie' Davidson.

Ayrshire Today: Nicky Jamieson during his time at Largs Thistle.Nicky Jamieson during his time at Largs Thistle. (Image: Ryan Scott Photography)

Jamieson then made a move into the senior ranks of Scottish football with Queen's Park in the summer of 2019.

The defender, who moved to the Spiders alongside former Largs captain Creag Little, put in strong showings in the cut-short League Two season that year and earned himself a place in the league's team of the season.

A move to Alloa Athletic in the Scottish Championship followed, though the former Largs man struggled to earn a consistent starting berth, and made the switch to Stenhousemuir on an initial six-month loan in the summer of 2021.

The move was made permanent in January the following year, and Jamieson hasn't looked back since.

Reflecting on his career in the senior ranks so far, he said: "It’s been a mixed bag. I did well my first season at Queen's Park, got my move to Alloa, and it never worked out for me there.

"I’d say it’s taken until Stenny that I’ve felt part of a club again.

"It was a bit of a culture shock going senior, as Largs was all I knew and everyone at the club was so close knit. I think you inevitably lose that as you move up the ladder."

Jamieson hailed current boss Naysmith for giving Stenhousemuir and their players belief this season - creating the platform for success.

Ayrshire Today: Nicky Jamieson has risen through the ranks since his five years with Largs Thistle.Nicky Jamieson has risen through the ranks since his five years with Largs Thistle. (Image: Ryan Scott Photography)

He said: "He’s been the best manager I’ve worked under - with the exception of Arnie of course.

"He said day one of pre season that the aim was to win the league, and he gave us the belief since then that we were going to do it."

He also said the number of players in the Stenny squad who worked their way up from the junior and West of Scotland Football League ranks showed the depth of the lower tiers in the Scottish game.

Jamieson continued: "I’ve always said there’s players in the juniors that could easily have played in League Two for one reason or another didn’t.

"In our squad we’ve got me, Ross Taylor, Gregor Buchanan and Kinlay Bilham, Ross Meechan, Jordan Kirkpatrick and Brad Rudden. We have all played for junior clubs at some point in our careers."

The towering defender is now looking forward to challenging himself in League One next season, where he is eyeing another successful year.

He commented: "Personally I’m looking forward to playing in a new league and challenging myself against better players.

"This has been the best I’ve played in my career, with the only downside being a few injuries, so hopefully I can put them behind me and have another successful season."