The club was founded in 1876 under the name Winton, the first recorded match for the club being against the 10th D.R.V. in April that year.[1] It was admitted to the Scottish Football Association in time to enter the 1877–78 Scottish Cup,[2] but, despite having 45 members, the club scratched when drawn to face Parkgrove.[3] The club was thereupon briefly taken over by Rovers,[4] but the merged club did not survive the season.
In 1879, the club re-formed as Apsley,[5] after the buildings close to the ground (and in which the club's honorary secretary lived). Apsley played mostly low-key matches, until the club decided to enter the 1882–83 Scottish Cup. Drawn at Cowlairs in the second round, after gaining a bye in the first round, the club attacked from the kick-off, but conceded a breakaway goal; the score was 3–0 after 10 minutes, 7–0 at half-time, and 13–0 at the end.[6]
The club continued playing afterwards, one notable result a 5–4 victory at a young Stenhousemuir club a fortnight after the Cup defeat,[7] but the club did not survive the season.
Colours
The club's colours were originally navy jerseys, white knickerbockers, and blue and white hose.[8] By 1882 it was wearing red and white 1 inch hooped jerseys and stockings, with blue knickerbockers.[9]
Ground
The club played at private grounds at Bellevue Park in Mount Florida, ten minutes' walk from Crosshill terminus.[10]
