In 1891, Ardrossan Seafield was the only football team in the town. Seafield Park was again mentioned despite having been reported as the site of building work in 1890. A new team, Ardrossan Britannia was founded.
KILWINNING
FAIL TO TURN UP FOR ARDROSSAN SEAFIELD FIXTURE
The Ardrossan Seafield youths had an unexpected day off last Saturday
(27 December 1890) and they blame the Kilwinning Crusaders for it. The Crusaders
would have shown some courtesy had they wired that they were unable to come.
It was too bad not to do so.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 2 January 1891
ARDROSSAN
SEAFIELD 3 - GLASGOW TITWOOD 3
Ardrossan Seafield and Glasgow Titwood played a three-each draw on Friday
last (2 January 1891)
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 9 January 1891
ARDROSSAN
SEAFIELD 1 - KILWINNING MONKCASTLE SWIFTS 1
This game was played on the ground of the former and terminated in a draw, one
each, on Saturday (10 January 1890).
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 16 January 1891
IRVINE
RANGERS 7 - ARDROSSAN SEAFIELD 3
This game was played at Quarry Park, Irvine on Saturday 17 January 1891. Seafield
kicked off and after twenty minutes fast play, Garven scored for the Rangers.
Immediately after, Black equalised and Sinclair placed Ardrossan in the
ascendancy. The Rangers added other two before half-time and the teams crossed
over three to two in favour of the Rangers. Seafield rather fell away
in the second half but managed to put on one goal more while the Rangers scored
four times. The game ended Rangers 7 Seafield 3. The Ardrossan Seafield
had four new hands in their team at Irvine where they suffered a heavy defeat.
The Rangers played a good game especially Campbell and Mackay while the pick
of the Seafield was Blair, Anderson and Black. Blair deserves special
mention, he having acquitted himself very well in goal. The Seafield
will have as their guests tomorrow (24 January 1891) Irvine Eglinton.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 23 January 1891
ARDROSSAN
SEAFIELD 3 - IRVINE EGLINTON 3
These teams met at Seafield Park, (probably
on 24 January 1891), a few spectators turning out to see the young uns do battle
at the popular pastime. The Eglinton, losing the toss, kicked off and Seafield
first pressed, eventually making a good attempt by propelling a long shot. Eglinton
afterwards got away and closed upon the home goal where they secured a free
kick several yards off but they failed to score. Again, they pressed for a little
when the ball was taken to the other end and after some fair work, a rush was
made on the Eglinton fortress when the Irvine custodian first saved it but the
ball was sent in again and Simpson managed to score the first goal for the Seafield
about fifteen minutes from the start. However, they did not keep the lead long
as about two minutes later, the Eglinton equalised while some few minutes more
saw Eglinton score their second point. The strangers were, if anything, having
now the best of it and attacked several times but without effect. Ardrossan
had also several look-ins but no further scoring took place and the first half
ended Eglinton 2 Seafield 1. Starting the second portion, Seafield
again was the first to show up and although the Eglinton did break away at intervals,
they were never dangerous. Five minutes from the resumption of the game, Seafield
again equalised while in the next five, Sinclair scored a third point for them
with a nice shot. The play thereafter was much in favour of the ground team
who lost different chances to increase their score through rather loose tactics.
No alteration in the score took place until the game was thirty minutes old
when the Eglinton, who had previously closed on alternate occasions on their
opponents' citadel, notched their third goal and the teams were once more on
an equal footing. This was all the scoring and the match terminated in a draw,
three goals each.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 30 January 1891
On 1 August 1890, in a story about former Ardrossan
Ensign players, the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald reported that 'building
operations have been started on the Ensign's
field and the club, up to the present, seems defunct'. On 16 August 1889, it
reported that Ensign
had changed its name to Ardrossan
Football Club. The implications are apparently that building operations
were started on Seafield Park and that Ardrossan
Football Club was defunct. Ardrossan's
last reported game was a two-each home draw with Partick Thistle Strollers on
11 April 1890. In contradiction of the building work reports, Seafield
Park is mentioned in this and subsequent reports.
ARDROSSAN
SEAFIELD 3 - SALTCOATS VICTORIA STROLLERS 2
Last Saturday (31 January 1891), Ardrossan Seafield beat Saltcoats Victoria
Strollers by three goals to two at Ardrossan.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 6 February 1891
ARDROSSAN
SEAFIELD 7 - DALRY THISTLE 3
This game was played on Seafield Park, Ardrossan
before a fair turnout of spectators. Seafield set the ball in motion
and after fifteen minutes play, Robertson scored the first goal for Ardrossan.
Five minutes afterwards, Simpson added a second. The Thistle, who were playing
a hard game, now gave a good display of passing and McCracken on the left beat
Blair with a beauty. Ardrossan scored again and the first half ended
three goals to one in favour of Seafield. On resuming, Dalry kept up
a spirited attack for some time on the Ardrossan fortress but the defence
of the backs was too much for them. McCracken again sent in a scorcher which
Blair cleared safely. Not to be denied, they again attacked and through a miskick
on the part of Wilson, the Thistle scored a second point. The home team not
took the game on hand and quickly scored other five goals, one of which was
disallowed. When the whistle blew, Seafield ran out winners by seven
to three. The Ardrossan juniors were evidently in good form when they
whipped the Dalry Thistle so unmercifully. All round, the Seafield lads
played a good game while Smith and McCracken were most prominent for Dalry.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 6 February 1891
ARDROSSAN
SEAFIELD 1 - QUEEN'S PARK VICTORIA ELEVEN 2
These teams met in a friendly rivalry at Seafield
Park, Ardrossan before a good attendance of onlookers. In the first half
of the game, the Victoria was the only team to find an opening, scoring twelve
minutes after the start. Starting the second part, the visitors again took up
the running and succeeded in notching a second point three minutes from the
kick-off. This proved their total score and now Seafield had their turn,
Anderson scoring the first point for them three minutes after the strangers'
second success. The home team continued to have rather the best of matters but
failed to put on the equalising point and Victoria thus won the game by two
to one. On the whole, play was well divided, the strangers all round showing
good play while for the home team, Robertson and Dunlop, the two backs and the
goalkeeper shined best.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 20 February 1891
ARDROSSAN SEAFIELD TO PLAY HOLEHOUSE ATHETIC
On Saturday (14 March 1891), the Ardrossan Seafield will have a visit
of the Holehouse Athletic at Seafield Park,
Ardrossan.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 13 March 1891
ARDROSSAN
SEAFIELD 2 - HOLEHOUSE ATHLETIC 2
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 20 March 1891
The score was included in a list of results without reports.
The game was played on 14 March 1891.
ARDROSSAN
SEAFIELD 4 - STEVENSTON THISTLE SECOND ELEVEN 2
At Seafield Park, Ardrossan, the home team
kicked off against the breeze and after twenty minutes pressing, Greig scored
for the Thistle. Ardrossan after this forced the ball up the field but
Sommerville cleared safely. Marshall scored another and the teams crossed over
with the Thistle leading by two to nil. Resuming, Seafield immediately
assumed the aggressive but for fifteen minutes were unable to score when Anderson
put on the first point. Shortly after, Boyce added another. Meanwhile the Thistle
were not yet idle, Edmonds, Marshall and McMillan constantly making raids on
the Ardrossan territory but Blair and Gibson were all there and prevented
them from scoring. Templeton and Sinclair added two more goals for Seafield
and a hard game ended in a win for the Seafield by four to two. Gibson,
late of Ardrossan Ensign
Football Club, has enlisted in the ranks of the Seafield. The youngsters
are glad of his help. Saturday's game with the Stevenston Thistle second string
was well-contested. The best for the Thistle was the left wing, the backs and
goalkeeper while Simpson, Blair and Sinclair were the pick for the home team.
Seafield play the Holehouse Athletic on Saturday at Perceton, Irvine
and instead something more than a draw as at Ardrossan.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 3 April 1891
HOLEHOUSE
ATHLETIC 1 -ARDROSSAN SEAFIELD 1
The Ardrossan Seafield did not succeed in beating the Holehouse Athletic
last week but the youngsters managed to hold their own with them, the result
being the same as at Ardrossan, one goal each. For the Athletic, the right wing,
centre and left half showed up best while Sinclair, Dunlop and Wilson were most
prominent for Seafield. Tomorrow (11 April 1891), Glasgow Haywood will
be the guests at Seafield Park, Ardrossan.
Dalry Thistle would like to have another game with the Ardrossan Seafield.
What say you to this, Seafield? The Thistle are open from home on Saturday.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 10 April 1891
ARDROSSAN SEAFIELD 0 - GLASGOW HAYWOOD 7
Having lost their field for the season, the Ardrossan Seafield played their
final game last Saturday (11 April 1891) on Seafield
Park and certainly, it was not the least eventful. Glasgow Haywood were
the visitors and so efficient were they that they never allowed the home youths
one morsel of comfort but beat them soundly by seven to nil. Unfortunately,
Seafield was not fully represented and to make matters worse they had only nine
players for a good part of the game.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 17 April 1891
Despite what is written above, this was not Seafield's
final game of the season as can be seen from the reports below. The significance
of 'Having lost their field for the season' is uncertain.
PORTRAITS
OF LOCAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS
In
order to let the honours go round, we this week devote space to our portrait
of one who is well known in football circles, perhaps more so among juniors
than seniors for the simple reason that the club with which he is connected
only this season promoted themselves to the position of seniority. We therefore
bring before your notice:
In early years, he had a strong fancy for the game and first played in the Clydesdale,
a team now long defunct. Hogarth (shown
left) next joined the late Ardrossan
Ensign but for reasons best known to himself, he severed his connection
therewith several years past when he was instrumental in forming the present
Saltcoats Victoria club and at the present time is captain of the first eleven.
Willie, who possesses good speed and has
already breasted the tape several times, is a back player of good ability and
although he perhaps lacks to some extent the tacking qualities and genuine play
of his left-wing mate - a portrait of whom we are not at liberty to give - yet
his performances on the whole characterise him as a player of average worth
and with a little more experience, he may yet have the good fortune to be recognised
by the Ayrshire Association when dividing the honours. Like other clubs, the
Saltcoats Victoria have had a variety of goalkeepers and among the first of
these was the now and even then stalwart form which the portrait indicates.
In every respect, McDonald (shown right) possessed the necessary qualities of
a good goalkeeper and he only needed experience before he could excel underneath
the bar. However, as time advanced, changes were made and the place of McDonald
and others is now ably filled by William Bain, late of the Ardrossan
Ensign Football Club.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 1 May 1891
IRVINE
RANGERS 3 - ARDROSSAN SEAFIELD 5
In the first round of the Holehouse Athletic Junior Badge competition, these
teams played off their tie at Holm Park on Saturday (9 May 1891). The teams
were: Seafield - Blair; Wilson and Fulton; McCrone, Robertson and Dunlop;
Crawford, Anderson, Sinclair, Templeton and Simpson. Rangers - Mackay, Currie
and Feenie; Workman, Boyle and Babington; Arthur, Dugald, Clark, Rankin and
Campbell. Sinclair kicked off for Seafield against the wind and immediately
the Rangers bore down on Ardrossan's goal but the defence was good and
the Rangers were sent away empty-handed. Play was transferred to the other end
and Simpson put on the first goal of the match for Seafield seven minutes
from the start. The Rangers again went away briskly and from a corner, Arthur
equalised while shortly after Workman put on a second and the teams changed
over with the Rangers leading by two to one. When the ball was again set in
motion, the Rangers pressed and from a foul against Dunlop, Arthur added a third.
After this, play was more equal until the last fifteen minutes when Simpson
scored the second goal for Ardrossan and shortly after the same player
chalked off number three. The Rangers were now completely hemmed in at every
point. Still keeping up the pressure, Crawford scored the fourth and Anderson
the fifth goal for Seafield who ran out winners by five to three. The
wind was strong but otherwise the play was all that could be desired. The Rangers
have lodged a protest against Fulton, one of the Seafield players, on
the ground that he is a senior.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 15 May 1891
IRVINE
RANGERS v ARDROSSAN SEAFIELD TIE TO BE REPLAYED
As stated last week, the Irvine Rangers, in their tie with Ardrossan Seafield
at the Holehouse Athletic Badge competition, lodged a protest against one of
the Seafield players, on the ground that he was a senior. The case was
considered this week and the result is that the tie is to be replayed tomorrow
(23 May 1891). Rather hard thing, Seafield but hope you may give the
Rangers a double-strong dose the second time.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 22 May 1891
IRVINE
RANGERS 3 - ARDROSSAN SEAFIELD 1
These teams met at Holehouse (on 23 May 1891) to play off their protested tie
in the Holehouse Junior Badge competition when the Rangers proved the victors
this time by three to one.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 29 May 1891
FOUR-A-SIDE FOOTBALL COMPETITION
A four-a-side trades football competition takes place on Saturday first (27
June 1891) at Brewery Park, Saltcoats and as a number of entries have been made,
a good afternoon's sport is anticipated. The competition is confined to Saltcoats,
Ardrossan and Stevenston.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 26 June 1891
ARDROSSAN FOUNDRY WINS FOUR-A-SIDE FOOTBALL COMPETITION
The trades football competition at Brewery Park, Saltcoats could scarcely be
said to have been either in point of play or attendance, a triumphant success
but at the same time, we think it was a 'paying concern' and we congratulate
the members of the Victoria club on their 'trade adventure'. Among the fifty-two
tradesmen who toed the leather, there were several clever 'uns and while there
were some who were once prominent members of senior clubs, we knew another who
played with a certain team not a hundred miles from Brewery Park this last season
for the Scottish Cup. The team in which the party referred to was one of the
best quarters which appeared on the field and the four who beat them in the
semi-final had hard work in doing so before they came out winners of what proved
a close contest. Keenness was depicted on the faces of not a few of the contestants
and to secure a badge, they of course did their level best but there were others
whose performances proved not a little amusing. Of the thirteen teams which
competed, the Ardrossan Foundry number 1, Saltcoats Warehousemen, Stevenston
Dynamite Joiners, Saltcoats Labourers and Ardrossan Engineers number two were
the most efficient players of the lot. The winners, Ardrossan Foundry number
one, played three games scoring seven goals to nil while the runners-up, Saltcoats
Warehousemen, appeared on four occasions and one corner in all
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 3 July 1891
PROPOSAL TO FORM IRVINE AND DISTRICT JUNIOR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
A proposal has been set on foot by some of the junior football clubs in and
around Irvine with a view to forming an Irvine and District Junior Association.
The clubs which have been informed are Crosshouse, Plann, Overton, Montgreenan
Rangers, Holehouse Athletic, Troon, Saltcoats Wanderers, Ardrossan Seafield,
Dalry Thistle, Beith Thistle (Knockbuckle Eleven), Vale of Garnock, Springside,
Irvine Eglinton, Irvine Roslin and Irvine Rangers.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 17 July 1891
It appears that the Association did not develop as there
were no further reports on it.
PRESENTATION
TO ALEXANDER SIMPSON OF ARDROSSAN SEAFIELD FOOTBALL CLUB
On Saturday evening last (18 July 1891), a number of the members of the Ardrossan
Seafield Football Club met Mr Alexander Simpson in Mrs Wylie's and presented
him with a silver badge with gold centre on the occasion of his leaving Ardrossan
for Glasgow. Mr Hugh Wylie, in making the presentation, referred to Mr Simpson's
long connection with Seafield,
spoke of the pleasant relations that always existed between him and the other
members of the club and of the regret they all felt at his departure from among
them. He concluded by asking Mr Simpson to accept of the badge as a small token
of their esteem and regard for him. Mr Simpson make a fitting reply, alluding
to the many pleasant memories of the Seafield
he would carry with him and expressing his deep sense of their kindness in making
him the recipient of such a souvenir. Thereafter a pleasant evening was spent
in song until ten o'clock. The badge bore the following inscription. Presented
to Alexander Simpson by the Seafield
Football Club on his leaving Ardrossan, 18 July 1891.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 24 July 1891
ARDROSSAN SEAFIELD v
IRVINE EGLINTON
Played on the ground of the former, this game
resulted in a draw.
Glasgow Herald,
26 September 1891
KILWINNING SCOTIA 2 - ARDROSSAN BRITANNIA 2
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 16 October 1891
The score was included in a list of results without reports.
The game was played on 10 October 1891.
ARDROSSAN
BRITANNIA 0 - KILWINNING VICTORIA 0
KILWINNING ABBEYGATE 4 - ARDROSSAN SEAFIELD 4
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 30 October 1891
The scores were included in a list of results without
reports. The games were played on 24 October 1891.