The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games

Glasgow was the setting for Team England's best ever Commonwealth Games with a return to the top of the medals table for the first time since 1986.

Scotland hosted the Commonwealth Games for the third time with Glasgow following on from Edinburgh in 1970 and 1986, the latter being the last time any nation other than Australia had topped the medals table, and hopes were high for an England victory following the successes of English athletes at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

England's largest ever team of more than 600 athletes and support staff included great names including Nick Matthew and Laura Massaro, both world champions in squash, Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee and bronze medallist brother Jonathan, 2012 Tour de France and Olympic time trial champion Sir Bradley Wiggins and many more.

It was a memorable year for England's artistic gymnasts. Claudia Fragapane (above) stole the headlines by winning four gold medals, the most of any English competitor at a single Games for 80 years, winning the team, all-around, vault and floor exercise crowns. Max Whitlock won the men's team, all-around and vault titles as well as a bronze on the parallel bars.

The legendary Mick Gault emerged from retirement with the aim of equalling the Games record for medals won by a single competitor and once again history was made. A bronze medal in the men's 10m air pistol meant he could once again call it a day and in his own words it was a case of 'job done.'

In what was described at the Closing Ceremony as 'the best ever Commonwealth Games', England triumped, beating the previous best of 54 gold medals and 165 overall set back in 2002. On the penultimate day of competition top spot in the medals table was confirmed and the nation rounded things off with 58 gold, 59 silver and 57 bronze - 174 medals in total.