Ayr United Section
Hello and welcome to my Ayr United Section. Read below for a brief history of Ayr United.
All the facts, news and views for the current season on the current Ayr United can be found here.
I've been a fan of Ayr United for many years now. Ever since the first game I attended with my Dad way back in 1987 (I think!!)
First off I'll give a brief history of Ayr United and my time as a fan, then some info on the current team and their situation.
Ayr United were formed in 1910 through the merger of Ayr Parkhouse and Ayr FC. The have won a few honours mainly the 2nd Division title on numerous occasions. There best days so far were in the 60's and 70's when we were regularly up with the big boys and were a match for anyone. They were one of the Original teams in the Premier league when it was founded in 1978 and had a few season there before being relegated back to the new style division one. We pick up there story in 1987 and Ayr United were in the Second Division.
I've been a fan of the Super Ayr United for many years now. Ever since the first game I attended with my Dad way back in 1987 (I think!!)
It was the last game of the season and Ayr needed to win to gain promotion to the 1st Division. In those days there were 3 leagues and Ayr were in the botton league. I dont remember much of the game but the outcome was we had a penalty which, if we scored we would be promoted, which nobody wanted to take. Whoever took it (Stevie McIntyre I think) missed and we stayed were we were, but I've supported Ayr ever since.
Ayr, Ayr, Super Ayr...
The next season though was amazing. Our manager, the former Scotland boss Ally MacLeod put together a team that will long live in all Ayr fans memories.
Watson, McIntyre, Hughes, Furphy, MacAlister, Evans, Templeton, Scott, Walker, Sludden, Cowell.
THis was sheer brilliance and Ayr romped to the league title scoring over 100 goals in the process. Everbody looked forward to games as you knew you were going to be entertained.
Walking down the Somerset Road...
We then spent a few seasons in Division 1 usually near the foot of the table and never really look like gaining Premier status. The high points of this time were Cup games against Dumfermilne when we took them to a replay, 2 aperances in the B&Q cup final, and many great Derby wins over the Vermin from Kilmarnock.
The best though had to be the day the filth were relegated on the last day of the season. The needed to win by 6 more goals if some team won 1-0. They scored 6 but the other team won 2-0. (I think this may have been Ayr but my memory is going though!!)
In your Killie Slums...
Soon after this Ally MacLeod left and was replaced by George Burley. With little or no money we stay much the same as with Ally. Nothing much of note really happened during his stay and when he left our darkest days as a club were to follow. Simon Stainrod and his fedora took over the reigns of the club and with it a revolving door in dire foriegn imports.
With the leagues being reconstructed Ayrs first division status looked perilous but miraculously we managed to stay up in Stainpots first season, but in the next he scoured the planet in search of the worst possible players he could attract to Ayr. Using nearly 60 players he managed to get Ayr relegated back to the second division.
It wasn't until we were languishing in the bottom 2 of the 2nd Division, the club was near to extinction that our Saviour arrived.
The only good killie is a dead killie
No this wasn't to be a new manager but the current Chairman Bill Barr. Without his money the club would be bankrupt. He appointed a new manager in the shape of Gordon Daziel who managed to save us from relegation and installed his 5 year plan to get us to the Premier.
Even more players arrived the next season (96/97) and Ayr marched truimphantly back to the first Division. As has been the norm now in the Daziel era there is a mass clearout and rebuilding job at the end of each season. After consolidating the position in the first Division some inspired signings such as David Craig, Glynn Hurst, Gary Teale, Andy Millen and Andy Walker, Ayr had a storming season in the first division (98/99) reaching the top spot before Christmas before the lack of strength in depth saw us slide to finish 3rd. We had good cup runs in both League Cup and Scottish cup and reached the quarters in both.
The most memorable match had to be against Kilmarnock in the Scottich Cup when we trounced them 3-0.
At Hapmden Park...
Next season (99/00) the league from was pretty poor finishing 4th from bottom. Many things were blamed for this including suspensions, injuries, bad management and the continually changing team.
The cup form though was different, beating Dundee and Motherwell on the way to a historic visit to Hampden to face Rangers in the Scottich Cup semi final for only the 2nd time. Unfortunately The mighty Ayr couldn't over come the odds, but defiantely gave Rangers a run for their money in the first 30 minutes
Another season passes without SPL football. Without a new stadium our chances of getting their are looking bleak. However the team for the new season is looking good as we have signed up a rew move good players for the crusade to get us to the premier!!!
Last season's highlights and discussion on new season can be found here
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