Ardrossan Winton Rovers was founded in 1900 and was the only team in the town at the time.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - BATHING FACILITIES
AT ARDROSSAN
Sir
In view of the fact that the new drainage outlet will practically ruin the facilities
for bathing enjoyed by swimmers in the locality, I would like to ascertain through
your columns if it would not be possible for a club to be formed among local
gentlemen for the purpose of establishing suitable bathing grounds. Local enthusiasts
might act together for this purpose. As the present public bathing house is
not of the kind calculated to entice bathers within, surely a more suitable
house could be obtained. The clubhouse which belonged to the Castlehill
Athletic Football Club might be utilised. If it could be procured and removed
to a suitable position, it would be a decided improvement upon the present house.
Hoping this matter will have the attention which I think it deserves,
I am, yours et cetera
Header
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 2 March 1900
SALTCOATS RANGERS 2 - ARDROSSAN ROVERS 2
The local juvenile derby took place on South Beach on Saturday (15 September
1900) between Saltcoats Rangers and Ardrossan Rovers before a goodly
crown of onlookers. Both teams, though not at full strength, were well represented
and a rousing game was the outcome. The Rovers, with the sun at their
backs, opened the scoring through Anderson but their success was short-lived
as the Saltcoats lads quickly equalised. Both teams made a great effort to score
before the interval but the defence was too good and they crossed over equal.
On the resumption, it looked as if the Rangers would be all over their opponents,
so well did they play, but numerous chances went a begging owing to poor shooting
and slack play. The Ardrossan forwards had a dashing run and McKillop,
seizing an opportunity, rushed in and gave his side the lead. The Rangers, seeing
defeat certain, buckled to and encouraged by the cheers of their supporters,
showed something like their true form, Knox with the shot of the day making
the scores level. It now looked as if the Saltcoats youths would win the game
but the Rovers defended well and prevented them from scoring, the game
ending in a draw of two goals each.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 21 September 1900
The Ardrossan
team was referred to as Ardrossan Rovers. In the report below on the same teams,
the phrase 'It will be remembered that the teams met some six weeks ago' suggests
that Ardrossan Rovers was the team thereafter known as Ardrossan Winton Rovers.
This was therefore Winton Rovers' first reported match.
ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS 1 - SALTCOATS RANGERS 4
The Saltcoats Rangers and Ardrossan Winton Rovers engaged each other
at Winton Park in their return friendly (on
27 October 1900). It will be remembered that the teams met some six weeks ago
but neither could obtain any advantage. The Rovers kicked off with the
breeze behind them and it was early evident that the pace was to be a scorcher.
The Rangers' right made headway but Findlay of the Rovers kept them well
in hand. The Rovers, led by Anderson, came near scoring but McMurtrie
was all there and prevented them from doing so. The Rangers' left rushed away
and forced a corner off Inglis but the ball was ultimately sent behind. Wilson,
who was playing centre-half for the Rangers, allowed Anderson too much scope
and it was a good thing for the Saltcoats lads that their defence was in form.
The Rangers made several raids on the Rovers' goal but the wind spoiled
the shooting and an exciting first half, in which the goalkeeping of McMurtrie
was a feature, ended without any scoring being effected. In the second half,
Wilson and Donohoe for the Rangers, exchanged places. Fraser restarted and the
fun began again. Both goals had some narrow escapes at the outset. The Rangers
had now any advantage that was going and Fraser, lying handy, opened the scoring.
The Rovers responded gamely and, through a misunderstanding between the
Saltcoats backs, Anderson slipped through the equaliser. Hardly had the cheers
which greeted this success died away than Torrance, receiving a good pass from
Tait, again put Rangers in the lead. Anderson, for the Rovers, tried hard to
get through but was well shadowed by Donohoe. On the Rovers' defence
giving way, Wilson raised his side in total to three goals and Torrance shortly
afterwards added a fourth. Time was called leaving the Saltcoats lads victors
of a rousing game by four goals to one. The Rovers don't feel downheartened
over this reverse. We hope to hear an early revival of their form for the sake
of Ardrossan football.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 2 November 1900
This was
the first reported match played at Winton Park.
WEST KILBRIDE ATHLETIC 1- ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS 0
These teams met in a friendly match at west Kilbride on Saturday (17 November
1900). The game was a hard and fast one, both sides being well-matched as to
playing power although the West Kilbride team is composed of stalwarts beside
whom the visitors looked like youngsters having a game with their fathers. The
trickiness of the Ardrossan players gave their opponents plenty to do
but weight told and in a skirmish in front of the visitors' goal, an unfortunate
slip by one of the Ardrossan backs gave the opportunity and West Kilbride
scored a goal. Ardrossan made strenuous efforts to equalise but all in
vain and the game had to be abandoned owing to darkness setting in about ten
minutes before time. Unfortunately, we did not know the West Kilbride men by
name and therefore cannot give praise where it is due on their side but for
Ardrossan, it is only fair to say that Love was a tower of strength in
goal and saved many good shots. Allison played a rare game at back and McKillop
also deserves a word of praise but the cleverness of little Anderson, the centre
half, fairly astonished the natives. Winton Rovers journey to Largs today,
Saturday (24 November 1900), to play a friendly with Largs Neva. The Rovers'
team will probably be G Love, G Breckenridge, G Inglis, D Findlay, J Allison,
W McKillop, W Fingland, T Anderson, J Strachan and H Fowlis.
Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston Standard,
24 November 1900
ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS 2 - SALTCOATS SEASIDE RANGERS 2
These teams met on Saturday last (23 November 1900) at South Beach when
both were fairly well represented. A hard game was experienced all through.
In the first half, the Rovers had the best of the play, McKillop scoring
the first goal in a scrimmage. Strachan netted the second goal from a pass from
Anderson. In the second half, the Rangers took their turn at forcing the play
and Knox scored their first goal off a corner kick. After a few minutes fast
play, McFar1ane with a hard shot, tried Love, who saved it, but Torrance got
the leather at his toe and equalised. During the last few minutes of the game,
the Rovers made a determined attempt to secure the winning goal, but
Strachan headed the leather over the bar. The Winton Rovers ought to
have played at Largs but the Largs team had mistaken the fixture. The Rovers,
however, meet Stevenston Thistle today.
Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston Standard,
1 December 1900
SALTCOATS IVYBANK 2 - ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS 3
These teams met at Ardrossan in a friendly on Saturday last (1 December
1900) at Winton Park. Ivybank turned up with
two players short but got the assistance of two well-known players from Ardrossan.
The game started briskly, Rovers starting to press and getting in front
of Lambie. Strachan with a good shot put on the first goal for Rovers.
Ivybank wakened up at this reverse, pulled themselves together and forced Rovers
to defend, and after some good work Murray put on the equaliser for Ivybank.
Shortly afterwards, McKillop had an exciting run towards Lambie who saved splendidly.
Ivybank were not to be denied, and came away and scored a somewhat easy goal,
thus putting Ivybank one up. Half time now arrived with Ivybank leading 2 goals
to 1. The teams crossed over and play was confined to midfield till Findlay
got the leather and worked down the field, and from a cross shot Strachan put
on the second goal for the Rovers. Shortly afterwards, Findlay scored
a third and a hard and fast game ended in favour of the Rovers by three
goals to two. Today, the Rovers travel to Largs to play a friendly with
the Largs Neva. The team will be Love, G Inglis, A Thomson, Taylor, Allison,
McKillop, Anderson, Cochrane, Findlay, Strachan and Fowlis.
Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston Standard,
8 December 1900
ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS 0 - ARDEER THISTLE 4
These teams engaged in a friendly game at Winton
Park, Ardrossan on Saturday last (15 December
1900). The game opened briskly, Rovers attacking. The Thistle made some
headway but McMurray cleared and let his forwards away. Rovers had hard
lines in not scoring. Midfield play ensued until Bigham broke through and scored
for the Thistle. Shortly before half-time, the same player scored again, Love
having no chance to save owing to the bad footing in the goalmouth. On resuming
the visitors, with the wind in their favour, did most of the pressing and finally
ran out winners by four to nil. Today, Saturday (22 December 1900), the Rovers
journey to Stevenston and will engage in a friendly with Auchenharvie. The following
team will represent them - Love; Inglis and McMu.rray; Findlay, Allison, and
Bennett; Cochrane, Anderson, McKi1lop, Fowler, and Strachan.
Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston Standard,
22 December 1900
AUCHENHARVIE ELEVEN 5 - ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS 2
At Heather Park, the Auchenharvie Eleven had the Ardrossan Winton Rovers
as visitors last Saturday (22 December 1900). The Rovers won the spin
of the coin and elected to play against the wind in the first half. From the
outset, the Auchenharvie boys hammered their opponents to their citadel but
the latter offered a good defence and half an hour passed away before the homesters
were able to open the scoring department, Harris doing the needful with a fine
shot. The success gave the homesters some encouragement in their aggressive
work and a few minutes later, a second point was registered while before the
interval, Stirratt was responsible for the third, thus placing the Ardrossan
lads three goals in arrears. In the second half, Auchenharvie had again the
best of matters. Faulds led off with goal number four and as short time later,
a fifth point was added. This seemed to take heart out of the Rovers
for a time and both teams began to show unfair tactics. The Ardrossan
lads, however, rallied and some fifteen minutes from time, they scored their
first goal which they followed up with a second before the signal to halt was
given. A very unpleasant game ended in favour of Auchenharvie by five goals
to two.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 28 December 1900
AUCHENHARVIE ELEVEN 5 - ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS
2
The Winton Rovers, in their match with the Auchenharvie Eleven on Saturday
(22 December 1900), were unfortunate in being without the services of four of
their usual team. In the first half, the home team, Auchenharvie, had the advantage
of the wind and although the Rovers were within an ace of scoring on
more than one occasion, they crossed over leading by three goals to nil. On
resuming, there was only one team in it. The Rovers rained shots on their
opponents' goal but without effect, the goalkeeping being splendid. The homesters
twice broke away, scoring on each occasion and although both points appeared
to be decidedly offside, the referee, who was somewhat partial to the Stevenston
eleven, would not listen to appeal. The Rovers kept up the pressure and
at last Fowler scored followed at few minutes later by another from Findlay.
The game became somewhat rough, the home team using an unnecessary amount of
force with the result that two of the visitors were 'stretchered'. Until the
end, the Rovers held the upper hand but failed to add to their score,
the game ending in favour of Auchenharvie by five goals to two.
Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston Standard,
29 December 1900