A HUNDRED and twenty years ago yesterday, on 15 September 1900, two groups of young men met on the grass at South Beach, Ardrossan for a football match.
It was Winton Rovers’ first documented game. Their opponents were Saltcoats Rangers and the match ended 2-2.
The current Winton committee commemorated that event by gathering at the same place to mark the anniversary.
Since 1900, Rovers have played thousands of games and enjoyed many successes. They reached the semi-final of the Scottish Junior Cup in 1911, 1934 and 1970 and won at least one competition in every decade apart from the 1960s. Their most fruitful season was 1935-36 when they won the Ayrshire District Cup, Western League Cup, West of Scotland Consolation Cup and the Saint Vincent de Paul Charity Cup.
Winton’s last success was winning the Ayrshire District League in 2015, with a 2-0 win away at Darvel.
Winton had plans to mark its anniversary but these have been postponed because of the pandemic.
The popular annual Gala Day in May was cancelled, as was an intended Open Day in August. In January, the committee commissioned the writing of a commemorative book to mark the anniversary. Despite the COVID setback, the book will still be published.
A new League structure was introduced at the start of the 2018-19 season.
Winton joined League One and missed promotion by one place when they finished fourth.
When football was suspended due the COVID-19 pandemic in March, Rovers were top of League One with a strong chance of winning the title and promotion. Unfortunately, the League was ‘called’ and Winton ended in second place on a points-per-game basis.
When football resumes, it will be under yet another new structure, the West of Scotland Football League. Rovers are the only Ayrshire team in Conference C. This marks the end of junior football in the West of Scotland as all previous junior clubs are now in a pyramid system that allows progression to the senior game.
The recent lack of matches means Winton’s income has reduced significantly. Fans, however, have contributed to a Donate A Ticket scheme in which they make online donations, and have also assisted the ground maintenance staff.
On Monday evening, September 14, in their first game in over six months, Winton lost narrowly 2-1 to Premier Division Beith in a friendly. It is hoped that League matches might start in mid-October.
While fans are missing football, it is also true that Winton is missing its fans.
Football will eventually resume fully and when it does, Winton Rovers will celebrate its special anniversary – so watch this space. The Herald will keep you informed.
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