Tony Da Prato: An Appreciation of his Forty-Two Years of Service to Ardrossan Winton Rovers by Bobby Macnamara, Match Secretary

Family and friends of the late Anthony Da Prato gathered at Winton Park recently to celebrate his life and 42 years of service to Ardrossan Winton Rovers. Canon Matt McManus from Saint Peter’s Church welcomed the large gathering. 

Tony acted as club linesman for many years and after the opening hymn, Canon Matt sprinkled his ashes on the bye-line. Tony’s wife, Mara, looked on as their children, Miranda and Michael, unveiled a memorial bench to their dear loved one. Winton Rovers’ chairman, Pat Breen, gave an appreciation of Tony, remembering in particular his commitment, common sense, friendliness and fondness for the club. The service closed with a version of ‘Fitba’ Crazy’ dedicated to Tony and led by George McGrattan and Michael McCulloch. Refreshments were served as Family and friends shared happy memories of Tony, a man who is sadly missed.

Anthony John Joseph Da Prato was born in Glasgow Street, Ardrossan on January 31, 1957, the youngest of three children born to Antonio and Marietta Da Prato.

Tony joined the Winton Rovers committee of Ardrossan Winton Rovers in 1974 at the age of 17. A relative youngster in a traditional junior club committee, he learned quickly from those around him and balanced his committee work with his studies at Glasgow University. Tony progressed through the ranks of the committee and was soon appointed as Club Treasurer. He also played an active part in the wider running of the junior game in Ayrshire and was soon elected to the Ayrshire Regional Committee.

Tony was valued in particular for his wise counsel and judgement. After completing his studies, he accepted the demanding role of Secretary at Winton Park. He also became President of the Ayrshire Regional Committee and was elected to both the West and Scottish Junior Football Association national committees to represent Ayrshire. By this time all six regions were making political demands in an attempt to protect their own interests at junior level. Tony aligned himself to Willie Blaney, the National Secretary and gained a reputation as a ‘Blaney boy’.

However, there was a crisis was enveloping the club as its main sponsor, the Social Club, closed its doors. The football club was a guarantor and was left with a sizeable debt to clear. It was at this time another Winton stalwart, Sam Morrison, took on the role of Treasurer and with support from Tony, who was then Chairman, and the rest of the committee, he steered the club away from potential closure. This was only achieved with careful management and hard work over the following five years.

Although many felt that Tony would remain a confirmed bachelor, he met Mara Bertoncini and they married in 1991. This involved a transfer from Ardrossan to Mara’s family home in the shadow of Somerset Park in Ayr. Tony quickly settled into the local community and joined the choir of Saint Margaret’s Catholic Church where he became a reader, a ministry he had held at Saint Peter’s Church in Ardrossan. Often Tony would have to curtail his chats after Winton games in order to catch the start of the Saturday vigil Mass back in Ayr.

Tony and Mara became proud parents to Miranda and Michael. He took great pleasure in spending the school holidays at the Bertoncini’s home in Cascio in Italy. He loved participating in the festivals in the region especially the Festa delle Crisciolette. The area is the ancestral home of many of Italian descent from the Three Towns and Cascio is across the valley from Tony’s father’s home town of Barga. Tony loved exploring the countryside and would often disappear for hours on end with his camera.

When the club’s unusual decision in 1994 to become a limited company proved unsustainable, Tony made certain that there would be no adverse effects. When the new committee formed Winton Rovers Community Sports Club in 2001 and guaranteed the Park’s future for the community of Ardrossan, Tony was formally adopted as Director.

Anthony was a well-respected Biology teacher at Saint Andrew’s Academy in Saltcoats and although it was always Mr Da Prato at school, it was Tony to everyone at Winton Park. Through time, he had the great honour of being promoted to Principal Teacher of Biology at Saint Andrew’s Academy, succeeding his colleague, Dr Robin Reid. He continued in this role when Saint Andrew’s and Saint Michael’s Academies amalgamated to become Saint Matthew’s Academy. In January 2011, however, Tony and Mara decided to take over the family business in Ayr, the award-winning Lucky Star Café and Tony was soon back behind the fryer of the most popular chippie in the town. This was a huge loss to the community at Saint Matthew’s as Tony not only headed the Biology Department but was also a religious education and guidance teacher. He also contributed to the school shows and sixth year proms.

Tony and Mara supported their daughter Miranda, who had enrolled at Glasgow Caledonia University, and son Michael who was continuing his studies at Queen Margaret Academy in Ayr.

Tony’s honesty and integrity were recognised when he was awarded life memberships of the National and Regional Associations for his services to Junior Football. All at Winton Park, however, did not value Tony’s honesty and sense of fair play. Some thought he was too honest, especially when fulfilling his Saturday task as linesman. The traditional view was that contested decisions always went with the home side. Tony was ever the true sportsman and would give honest decisions against the Winton. This was appreciated by fledgling referees who went on to have careers as Grade 1 officials. When they returned on observation duties of future officials, Willie Young, Dougie Hope and Dougie Smith’s first task was always to have a talk with Tony.

In 2015, Tony was recognised by the Scottish Junior Football Association with a long service award after forty-one years with Winton Rovers. He continued to run the line for the club and photographs of him carrying out his duties became a weekly feature on Facebook.

Around two years ago Tony received the diagnosis of his illness. He faced up to the news with bravery, dignity and stoicism. He and Mara then made the decision to give up the chippie and return to Ardrossan.

At the last Winton game of the season in May 2016, Chairman Pat Breen hosted a get-together for former committee members. Tony joined his colleagues from the late 1970s and early 1980s to reminisce. Many thought this was the last time Tony would be at Winton Park but they had doubted Tony’s spirit. He informed Pat that he and his family would be there a fortnight later to run the Bottle Stall at the club’s Gala Day. True to form, Tony was there and continued to contribute to the club’s fund-raising efforts.

Sadly, Tony passed away on July 8 at the age of fifty-nine. Requiescat in pace, amico.