It entered the Scottish Cup in 1881–82 and 1882–83, but suffered heavy first round defeats both times; at half-time in its 1881–82 tie with Kilbarchan, Ladyburn was 2–1 down, but conceded six goals in the second half without replying.

[6] Its first match under its new name was a 7–3 win over Aldergrove at Ladyburn Park;[7] the club reached the semi-final of the Greenock and District Cup that season.

At the end of the 1884–85 season it therefore did not renew its subscription to the Scottish Football Association[11] and continued as a junior club.

Ironically, as a junior club, Athletic gained its one win in the county competition; in the 1886–87 Renfrewshire Cup the club beat Barrhead Victoria 3–1 in the first round, played at Port Glasgow Athletic due to the loss of Bogston.

[20] It lost the ground thanks to railway operations, and had to find a new one "further east",[21] although in 1886 it once more used Ladyburn Park thanks to new tenants Rangers.