ARDROSSAN CLYDESDALE FOOTBALL CLUB 1879
The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald of 18 October 1879 carried the report below.
ARDROSSAN
CLYDESDALE 1 - WEST KILBRIDE HUNTERS 0
The Clydesdale of Ardrossan went to Kilbride on the 11 October 1879 to
play a return match there. The ball being placed in the centre, the Hunters
kicked off with the wind against them and a hard tie was played in the centre
for about twenty minutes when a run was made down the field by the Clydesdale
but the ball was kicked out. The goalkeeper kicked off the ball when the Clydesdale
pressed the Hunters at their goal for a considerable time but no goal was taken.
Time being called, the ball was placed in the centre again when the Clydesdale
kicked off. They made a run to the Hunters' goal but the ball was turned and
knocked down to the Clydesdale backs who dribbled it half-way up then
gave a strong kick but here a hand was claimed by the Hunters. When the free
kick was knocked off, the Clydesdale kicked it back to the left wing,
who made a run up the field, the ball being passed to the centre and then to
the wing again where Allison, making a run up to the goal, passed it to Allan
who kicked it through. The ball being placed again, the Hunters kicked off and
made a rush for goal when the Clydesdale backs turned the ball and had
a hard try for another goal, several runs being made up and down the field.
When time was called, the Clydesdale had scored one goal to nothing.
The report gives evidence of the existence of Ardrossan Clydesdale Football
Club in 1879.
Only one other match was reported on. The Glasgow Herald of 10 April
1882 published the following.
ARDROSSAN CLYDESDALE 3 – IRVINE
ACADEMICALS 2
This game
(on 8 April 1882) was played on the ground of the Seafield
Clutha Park,
Ardrossan.
The strangers won the toss and,
selecting to play with the wind in their favour, after ten minutes play scored
goal number one which was supplemented by a second a few minutes later.
Before half-time was called, the
Clydesdale registered their first goal.
In the second part, the home team
scored another two goals.
The match thus terminated in favour of
the Clydesdale by three goals to two.
There were no further reports on Clydesdale until the article below appeared
in the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald of 25 May 1883.
ARDROSSAN
CLYDESDALE FOOTBALL CLUB ANNUAL MEETING
The
annual meeting of this club was held in the Eglinton Arms Hotel, Ardrossan
(shown right in the early 1960s) on the evening of Friday last (18 May 1883)
when the following office bearers were elected for season 1883-84 - Captain:
W Craig, Vice-Captain: F Smith, Secretary and Treasurer: C Hendry, Church Lane.
The Treasurer's account showed a handsome balance on hand which it was resolved
to expend in the necessary appliances for cricket.
It is strange that, although there were no
match reports in the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Heralds of 1883, the Ardrossan
Clydesdale Football Club held its annual meeting at which it was reported to
be in a healthy financial state. Clydesdale had its fourth reunion on 11 January
1884.