Irvine Meadow have had a lot of success over the years in the West of Scotland Cup, winning the prestigious trophy nine times. But surely the Meadow team that had to work hardest for their West of Scotland success, was the 1962 side who beat Greenock Juniors in the final. That year the West of Scotland Cup final was played …
Saltcoats Bathing Pond Has Been Added to the Stories Section
Learn all about the history of the bathing pond at Saltcoats! Did you know Saltcoats has had two bathing ponds? One of which was opened in 1907 and the other in 1933. On Saturday 10th June 1933, a new outdoor tidal bathing pool was opened on the original site by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Sir Alexander B. Swan. He …
Goals Galore … After a Scare in Dreghorn
After winning the Scottish Junior Cup in 1963, Irvine Meadow XI were, inevitably, amongst the favourites to win the cup the following season. So, when they were drawn away to their now defunct local rivals, Dreghorn Juniors, in the first round no-one, other than the most devoted Dreghorn fans, foresaw anything other than an easy passage to the second round …
1968 -The Case of the Disappearing Players
It was just a run-of-the-mill league game, played out at Dreghorn’s Fordside Park in 1967/68. The atrocious weather was spoiling the play, but the players battled through the wind and rain and gave the rain-soaked fans something to occupy their thoughts on that miserable Saturday afternoon. Before the kick-off a minute’s silence was observed in memory of Mr James McBlane …
1959 – A Teddy Bear’s Hampden Picnic
The following post was kindly submitted to us by Gordon McCreath, who is a keen Ayrshire junior football historian. Recalling the 1959 Scottish Cup final triumph over Shettleston conjures up famous names like Ian Prentice, “Hookey” Walker, Johnnie McIntyre and double goalscorer Jackie Morrison. However, one small but important personality from that glorious day has been sadly neglected over the …
Newcomen Engine House at Auchenharvie Has Been Added to the Stories Section
We are pleased to share a fascinating part of North Ayrshire history in our ‘Stories’ section: Newcomen Engine House at Auchenharvie. The ruins can be seen at the grounds of Auchenharvie Golf Course. Have you ever wondered what it was? It was built in 1719 to hold a Newcomen atmospheric steam engine, whose purpose was to pump water out of …
Thomas Christie Has Been Added to the Stories Section
Thomas Christie (1861-1943) was born in Paisley and went on to print the Stevenston Press and Saltcoats Advertiser. Thomas left school in 1875 and kept a record of his own employment which was included in his obituary in the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald, on the 23 April 1943. Thomas worked for a bookseller in Paisely and had various other jobs …
Read About the Ardeer Explosion of 1938
We are back at Ardeer and another explosion. This time, it occurred in 1938 and it was actually two explosions, one after another, that resulted in the deaths of 6 people. The vibration from the blasts was felt as far away as Kilmarnock and Ayr. Read the full story in the link below:
Learn About the History of the Earls of Eglinton and Eglinton Estate
We have added a new page in our Stories section which details the history of the Earls of Eglinton, Eglinton Estate and the Eglinton Tournament! One of the most powerful families in Scotland for around 800 years, they created the modern layout of the town of Ardrossan (designed by Peter Nicholson), built Ardrossan Harbour, and built a castle at Eglinton …
The Story of the 1913 Explosion at Ardeer ICI Has Been Added to the Stories Section
Learn all about the violent explosion that occurred at Nobel’s Factory in 1913 which saw 10 people injured and 6 killed. The explosion was heard as far away as Kilmarnock and Lanarkshire! To read the full story, click the link below: