Video: The sporting year in pictures

And as always, the Falkirk Herald, and its sister titles, have been there to capture those moments - the good, the bad and the downright odd! - that have mattered in sport during 2017.

Of course, that includes unrivalled coverage of the fortunes of Falkirk FC, and it’s fair to say that 2017 has been a rollercoaster ride for the Bairns.

In this slideshow, images editor Michael Gillen has compiled some of his favourite photographs from Falkirk games during 2017, as well as a few from other teams and events in the area, as we take a final look back at the year.

And you can read more about the stories behind some of the pictures by clicking on the following links.

Raith Rovers 1, Falkirk 4: That’s better from Bairns

Falkirk 1, Ayr 1: Disappointing draw for Bairns

Morton 2, Falkirk 0: Bairns crash out of cup

St Mirren 3, Falkirk 1: Bairns back to earth with a bump in stormy defeat

Clyde 3, Stirling Albion 2: Gormley grabs glory with cup treble

Falkirk 2, Dunfermine 0: Comfortable derby delight for Bairns

Sony Centre Fury land Scottish Cup

Morton 2, Falkirk 2: Cracking goals can’t separate play-off rivals

Broken leg prompts Syngenta to set up benevolent fund

Ayr 1, Falkirk 4: Bairns safely in second

In pictures: Falkirk v Morton

In pictures: Weekend football action

Dunfermline 1, Falkirk 2: Bairns take bragging rights

Linlithgow 2, Dundonald 2: Rose snatch draw in stoppage time

Four cups won in 2017 make Braidhurst top of the class

Motherwell go down 2-0 to Celtic in Betfred Cup final

Scotland 2, Romania 0: Friendly fires Euro hopes

Scotland 2, England 2: Late drama in Hampden sunshine

Brechin City 0, Falkirk 3: Bairns safe progress

Sligo Rovers 1, Falkirk 2: Irish eyes smile on Bairns

In pictures: Junior Bairns have a ball

Falkirk 0, Dundee United 0: Messy point gained

Motherwell into Betfred Cup semis against Rangers after hammering Aberdeen

Falkirk 0, Livingston 2: Boos ring out as Bairns beaten again

Morton 0, Falkirk 1: Bairns scrap to first league win

Candidates for Paul Hartley’s Falkirk job proves calibre of club

Falkirk 2, Dunfermline 0: Bairns send Smith off in style

Falkirk 0, Inverness 0: Bairns draw a blank on Hartley bow

’Well boss Robbo: We beat Rangers despite not playing very well

Queen of the South 4, Falkirk 2: Bairns go down battling

Dundee Utd 3, Falkirk 0: Tannadice torment for Bairns