However, Ayr Parkhouse decided to remain a faithfully amateur club, only turning professional in 1905.

Despite the club's amateur status, they competed well in their league and the Scottish Cup, reaching the quarter finals of the competition in the 1894–95 season, where they fell to that year's runners-up Renton.

Local success continued, but the rivalry that was built up with Ayr ceased to have a regular outlet when that club were admitted to membership of the Scottish Football League in 1897.

Ayr Parkhouse's ambitions were beginning to outgrow their local successes and the club's early amateurness fuelled hostility to membership of the professional Scottish Football League was waning.

After two seasons out of the league, playing instead in the Scottish Football Combination, Ayr Parkhouse were accepted back into the Second Division.