The first evidence of the existence of Ardrossan Winton Rovers Football Club are the reports below from Ardrossan and Saltcoats Heralds of autumn 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.

Throughout its existence, Winton Park, shown below in 2011, has been Winton Rovers' home ground.


Winton Rovers have reached the semi-final of the Scottish Junior Cup on three occasions, namely, 1911, 1934 and 1970. Reports on these successes can be read in Documents 1911, Documents 1934 and Documents 1970. On each occasion, they lost to the eventual winners.