Ayr United F.C.
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Template:Football club infobox Ayr United F.C. is a Scottish Association football team currently playing in the Scottish Football League. They are based in Ayr, Ayrshire.
Their nickname is "The Honest Men", taken from the poem "Tam O'Shanter" by Robert Burns.
They were founded in 1910 after Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C. amalgamated to become the present day Ayr United. They are currently in the Scottish Second Division, the third top league in Scotland following the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish First Division. (There are four divisions in Scotland, with the Scottish Third Division below them).
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Somerset Park
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They play their football at Somerset Park, Ayr, one of the few surviving 'archaic' stadium designs. It consists of one stand, two covered terraces, and one open terrace. It has a rather modest capacity of 12,128.
The first match to take place at Somerset Park was the then Ayr FC against Aston Villa F.C. in a 3-0 victory for Ayr.
Directions to the Ground
By Road: Exit the A77 Southbound at the Whittletts Roundabout heading towards the Racecourse/Town Centre. Take the first right after Ayr Racecourse (Craigie Road, just by Tesco). Carparking is available beside the stadium with limited spaces available.
Directions by Train: After leaving the train station via the back entrance, turn left and cross the bridge, by the fire station and take the road beside the left side of the Civic Theatre. Continue up this road, pass the entrance to the Horticultural Gardens and straight ahead by the skate park and directly across the traffic lights. Take the first left, and then the first right and the stadium should be in view.
Contact Details
Somerset Park, Ayr Tryfield Place Ayr South Ayrshire KA8 9NB 01292 263435
Recent Managers (Post War)
| Robert Connor | 2005-present |
| Mark Shanks | 2004-05 |
| Campbell Money | 2002-04 |
| Gordon Dalziel | 1995-02 |
| Simon Stainrod | 1993-95 |
| George Burley | 1991-93 |
| Ally MacLeod | 1985-90 |
| George Caldwell | 1983-85 |
| Willie McLean | 1979-83 |
| Ally MacLeod | Sep-Dec 1978 |
| Alex Stuart | 1975-78 |
| Ally MacLeod | 1966-75 |
| Tom McCreath | 1964-66 |
| Bobby Flavell | 1963-64 |
| Neil McBain | 1962-63 |
| Gerry Mays | 1961-62 |
| Bobby Flavell | Oct-Nov 1961 |
| Jacky Cox | 1956-61 |
| Neil McBain | 1955-56 |
| Reuben Bennet | 1953-55 |
| Archie Anderson | 1949-53 |
Club Honours
| Competition | Placing | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| *Scottish First Division | 1st | 1981/82 |
| *Scottish First Division | 2nd | 2000/01 |
| *Scottish Second Division (Before War) | 1st | 1911/12, 1912/13, 1927/28, 1936/37 |
| *Scottish Second Division (Post War) | 1st | 1958/59, 1965/66, 1987/88, 1996/97 |
| *Scottish Second Division (Before War | 2nd | 1910/11 |
| *Scottish Second Division (Post War) | 2nd | 1955/56, 1968/69 |
| *Scottish League Cup | Runners Up | 2002 |
Records
Their biggest win to date came against Dumbarton F.C. in the Scottish League Cup on the 13th August 1952. They won 11-1. Their biggest defeat came against Heart of Midlothian F.C. in the 1st Division, on the 28th February 1931. They lost 0-9. Their highest attendance came against Rangers in 1969 with 25,225 people cramming into Somerset Park on the 13th of September 1969.
Famous Players
Recent History
After reaching promotion from the Second Division they did quite well in their first season in the First Division to stay up, reaching a respectable 7th. The 1998/99 season saw them come 3rd, surprising fan and critic alike. The 1999/00 season was another disappointing one as many hoped they would build on their good results and get promoted, but once again they sank to a lowly 7th. Their yo-yo like league standings changed again in season 2000/01 as they came second.
Many believe they would have gone on to claim promotion from the First Division if they were granted planning permission to build a new 10,200 all seater stadium at Heathfield. The plans were passed by the local government, but it was 'called in' by the Scottish Executive, which vetoed the decision. This meant that even if they won the league they couldn't attain promotion, hence rendering their promotion push ultimately futile.
They broke the trend in 2001/02 as they went on to come third in the Scottish First Division, reaching the Scottish Cup semi-final and the League Cup final (of which they lost to Celtic and Rangers respectively). This was considered by most to be their best season to date.
Following this season a mediocre season followed, and the next season brought relegation to the Scottish Second Division as they came 9th in the league. This was a crippling blow for the club financially, especially with so much movement and uncertainty in the upper levels of the club with chairman Bill Barr leaving the club.
The beginning of the 2004 season seen the club change managers for the second time in two seasons as Campbell Money left the club after refusal to accept a part-time contract, and former player Mark Shanks took over the reigns. These same cashflow problems meant they had to offload several players and other coaching staff aswell. The supporters rallied together however and formed the Honest Men Trust and effectively saved the club for the short term.
This was soon to end as more controversy was to arise at the club in March 2005 when the turmoil in the boardroom regarding a takeover bid from [Prestwick]-based Roy Kennedy caused manager Mark Shanks to leave citing self-pride as his reasons. With debts estimated at around £1 million, Roy Kennedy made a 5 year plan which included;
- Clear the club's debts and ensure its ongoing financial stability
- Construct a new 6000 seater stadium by 2010
- Establish Ayr United among the top 16 of Scottish Football
- Place the club in community ownership
- Create a community training academy
An agreement couldn't be reached between the current owners and Kennedy, so the deal was cancelled.
Ayr beat off relegation in the 2004/2005 season to the Second Division, and prepared for the start of the next season by releasing most of their players and signing in new players, a majority of which were from Junior division clubs.
External Links
- The Official Club Website (http://www.ayrunitedfc.co.uk/)
- The Honest Men Trust Website (http://www.thehonestmentrust.co.uk/)
- The Somerset News (http://www.ayrunited-mad.co.uk/)
- The Honest Page (http://www.honestpage.co.uk/)