Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Hughie
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
November 2, 1945

Bobby Patrick

No player was more faithful to Winton Rovers than Bobby Patrick. After a time with Irvine Meadow and Queen of the South, Bob signed for Rovers and he gave faithful service. While he took up many positions he was best known as a centre-forward. Possessed fine speed and was equally clever with head or feet. Many a game he won - for Rovers when odds were all against them and he was always a marked man. Whenever he got on the ball three or four opponents would pounce on him but in spite of that fact he got goals and there were few games he failed to score in.

He was not only a player but often made gifts to the club when they were having a lean time. Very popular not only at Winton Park but also at every ground he visited. Although he hung up his boots some years ago, he still taken an interest in the club, in fact we learn he is one of the many at present trying to get the field in order for next year.
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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
November 23, 1945

Bobby Hawthorn

Football is gripping the Kilwinning public once more after five years of war and no junior club. When the local Rangers were a power in Ayrshire they possessed a winger that cute and clever Bobby Hawthorn. His Alan Morton lobs were always a danger also his tricky body swerves. Yes, he was built to the small side, but as solid as a rock.

As Juniors go he was a valuable asset to the club and always among the goals. He had not great power in his shots, but each ball had that dangerous swerve which always seemed to be going well out of the 'keeper's reach. He had always the spectators in tenter-hooks by his tricky moves for he seemed to know when and where to attack. Like Micky Barr, brought a spot of fun into his play by giving the opponents the dummy. But his lobs were made to measure and a centre forward who followed up his raids was bound to get goals.
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Hughie
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
August 13, 1943

Matthew Orr

About thirty years ago player had to be tough to play in Ayrshire, and Mattha Orr had that toughness which made him popular. He was the type of player that could take up any position with success. When with Winton Rovers he could fill the bill, and no matter what position Rovers required filling in the forward line they could always find Mattha willing to fill it. Many a game this little stalky built player would trot on to the field with that deep sea roll which gave the impression of coolness and confidence, but the minute the game was in progress this role vanished and we saw a player of the real Stevenston type in the thick of it--boring his way through with every effort towards goal. He was a bunch of energy. A ninety minutes player and a club man all the time whose main object was goals.

He was the type of player who didn't spend much time on frills, as goals and victory were always first with Mattha. A moulder to trade of the cautious type, but for all that a good sportsman. Has resided in Ardrossan for many years, and a lover of schoolboy football.

--------------------------
I never knew he was originally from Stevenston. I had the pleasure of working alongside Martha while learning my moulding trade at Winton Foundry in Ardrossan. He was a lovely quietly spoken man and very much respected by all his workmates. He and his wife lived in Seaton Street in the early 1960s. Hughie
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While working in Winton Foundry in Ardrossan I recall there was mention of Matthew Orr having a fruit and vegetable business prior to taking up moulding again during the war. No doubt he went back to his trade at Winton Foundry as they were full-on at that time supplying castings for shipbuilding on the Clyde for the war effort.
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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
January 18, 1946

John Borland

Saltcoats has been famed for rearing centre-half's and none did better on the football field than "Jake" Borland, a Saltcoats player, who played for Kilbirnie Ladeside and Fulham. A strong player with height and build who was the best in Ayrshire at one time. He was also a fine golfer when in the mood.

His football career was cut short through an knee injury, but previous to this he was a popular player as a junior and senior. Although out of the game for many years, many still recall the stout defence he put up in many games while with Ladeside and the amount of energy he possessed, for he could stick it every game for ninety minutes with head and feet. He was the first or about the first to play the third back game which became so popular about fifteen years ago and he played it with much success.
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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
November 9, 1945

Dan Fullarton

Over twenty years ago Saltcoats Vics. could call on many fine players and among them was Dan Fullarton who played in many position. Big and strong without being fancy, just a real honest to goodness junior. He gave many years of faithful service to the Vics. as a back, half-back and forward and seemed to be at home in any position. No doubt through his being a native of Saltcoats inspired him more to give of his best.
Of the fearless type—was the same home or away and that no doubt made him popular with the crowd.

One game in his career stood in the memory of most Vics. followers that was the occasion when he and "Skipper" Hunter, of Winton Rovers, fell out on Winton Park. It caused much talk for many years. He had a lot of good points which will remain to his credit.
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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
January 25, 1946

John Fairburn

As we stated last week, John (Glen) Fairburn, while an official of Ardeer Thistle was one of the most prominent officials in Ayrshire and one who knew every player in and out of Glasgow. He could get a player when other officials were thinking about it.

A man of great confidence and one who would not take no for an answer. He was untiring in his efforts for Ardeer Thistle for whom he signed many players of note. Even when Thistle found money hard to get, he could always get players and that was a puzzle to most people who thought they knew all the tricks of signing players. His work was much appreciated by all Thistle followers who considered John the best judge of young players in Scotland.

It will be recalled how he gave that word of advice to young players and how he kept handing out advice during the game and this added confidence to the young players. He was a bighearted man who left behind him in Stevenston a name that will live as long as football is played.
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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
January 22, 1943

Jimmy Cook

When Winton Rovers had just been a few years playing as Juniors they got their eye on a young left-back named Jimmy Cook, playing for the popular Ardrossan juvenile team, Winton Thistle. Several clubs had their eye on this lad, but as he was an apprentice joiner serving his time with the father of one of Rovers officials James Barbour, Cook signed for Rovers,

For craft and judgment Jimmy Cook can safely be considered the finest half-back that ever wore the Rovers colours. His positional play was so perfect that he seldom ran any more than a few yards during the ninety minutes of a game. His head work was a treat to watch, and many recall to this day how he could head a hall half the length of the field. His kicking of a "dead" ball was sure and direction perfect.

But he was best known as a penalty-kicker, for seldom if ever did he fail to find the net from the "spot." He was equally good at left-half, and all the outside rights of that time will agree that Cook possessed all the answers to any right wing that played against him. After Jimmy's playing days were over he took up the refereeing. Rovers possessed many good left-backs including Alex. McMaster, who played for Junior Scotland, but none had the football head and ability of Jimmy Cook.
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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
January 8, 1943

Terry McGibbon

Terry McGibbon was scoring goals for Irvine Meadow in a fashion that brought all the senior agents to every game Meadow played. He was not too big, but what he lacked in inches he made up for in ability. Every game he played it could be observed that more than the centrehalf was watching Terry, and most clubs held that if they stopped McGibbon they stopped the Meadow. But he could alter his plans to upset the opposition, for although he was a centre forward he, if over-burdened with watchers, would go out to the wing and cause as much damage there as he did in the middle. John Hunter, manager of Motherwell, heard of Terry but thought the Irvine player to the small side - but before he got much time to consider matters Ayr United stepped in and signed him.

Now, although this was a good stroke of business for Ayr, it certainly was not a good stroke of business for Meadow, for every Saturday, Ayr was at home all the Irvine fans went to Ayr and Meadow's gate drawings went down beyond all expectations. While with Ayr, Scottish and English clubs were taking notice of this player who could score goals, run and he as tricky as any player in the game, so Preston North End took a fancy to Terry and they got his transfer at a large figure. He kept up the goal scoring in England, but the war caused many changes and Terry, like other prominent players is now out of the game. However, no matter when Meadow or Ayr United are discussed the name of Terry McGibbon will also be discussed, for he was a player above the average and well worthy of representing the Royal Burgh of Irvine.
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Re: Local Sportsmen's Gallery

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Hughie wrote: Mon Sep 07, 2020 10:30 am Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
December 1, 1944

John Auld

For the past thirty or forty years Auld has been a football name, in Stevenston and the name still remains fresh in the memory of the football fans. John Auld has been in the limelight for many years. A cute craft player who could fill any position with credit. As a half-back he was of the Bobby Brown type, "carpet" passes with judgment that a ball seldom failed to reach where it was intended.

Although it is a long time since he put his boots past in the locker, still, that John Auld touch is still commented on by those who remember him as a player. He could "kill" a ball better than any player in Ayrshire and his parting with a ball was neat, sharp and to advantage. Just one of the players who helped to make Ayrshire one of the best quarters for players of outstanding ability, for he always played with the head, and didn't allow his feet to act without instructions from the brain.
John Auld's grandson, of the same name has allowed me to share the following:
Message Body:
The John Auld mentioned in this article is my Grandfather who was the founding member of Stevenston United . John Auld played with various clubs in Ayrshire including Ardeer Thistle and Irvine Meadow . John had four younger brothers who all played Junior football in Ayrshire . On one occasion they all turned out for Ardeer Thistle which was a record at the time “ five brothers “. Johns youngest brother Andy Auld ( Dasher ) went on to play for the USA in the first ever World Cup in 1930 in Uruguay . Another brother David Auld played for Scotland at Junior level . They all attracted senior clubs at one one time .
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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
October 29, 1943

Willie Rainey

Every sportsman in Saltcoats knows Willie Rainey, who was a runner in his day, but he is best known as a football trainer. He was honoured by Junior Scotland to look after the players in an international game. Willie also possesses a Scottish Cup medal. Although an Irishman, he has spent most of his days in Saltcoats and was employed by the I.C.I. till he retired a year or two ago. He also trained many fine sprinters in his time.

The junior clubs that Willie served with were Saltcoats Vics. and Winton Rovers, and his Irish wit often brought laughter to a dressing-room when defeat would have brought sorrow to many other pavilions. His term as a trainer was a very successful one. As baths master at Saltcoats Bathing Pond be also proved a fine swimmer and one who has saved many lives. Just the type of man who could settle down any where as he had that confidence in himself which overcomes many difficulties. He was very popular.
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Kilmarnock Herald and Ayrshire Gazette
February 15, 1946

James Cance

Winton Rovers have been fortunate in having Mr James Cance as their club secretary. One of the younger school and one who has a wide knowledge of what is required to place the club in a proper football standing. Since taking over the responsibility of office, he has taken a keen interest in the many alterations which will take place.

His personal knowledge in lay out and construction will prove valuable to the club at this time. He has put in a lot of hard work to have the plans ready for altering the field and other alterations yet to start on. His keenness is due to the fact that since a boy he was a Rovers fan and now he is playing a prominent part in placing his favourites back on the football map. If he is successful in being able to carry out plans laid out, he will in a few years have Winton Park second to none in Ayrshire. While agreeing, he has a hard-working committee, but has that foresight and experience of reconstruction work that is so important on such occasions.
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