Ayr United F.C. Introduction Contact Details Club Strip

FIRST CHOICE JERSEYS: White. Black Side Panels Edged with Red Piping. Black Broad Stripe Edged with Red Piping from Neck down Sleeve. White 'V' Neck Edged with Black and White Stripe.
FIRST CHOICE SHORTS: Black with Red Piping on Side Seams with White Side Flashes.
FIRST CHOICE STOCKINGS: White with Two Black and One Red Hoop on Top.

4 Somerset Park

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 12128.

The first match to take place at Somerset Park was the then Ayr FC against Aston Villa in a 3-0 victory for Ayr.

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.

5 Recent Managers (Post War)

6 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

7 Records

Their biggest win to date came against Dumbarton in the Scottish League Cup on the 13th August 1952. They won 11-1. Their biggest defeat came against Heart of Midlothian 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.

8 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 Divison, 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 Divison 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.

9 External Links

The Official Club Website
The Honest Men Trust Website
The Somerset News
The Honest Page

Scottish football clubs

<Hide>

Mark Shanks	- 2004-present
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	- 9/1978 – 12/78
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	- 10/1961 – 11/61
Jacky Cox	- 1956-61
Neil McBain	- 1955-56
Reuben Bennet	- 1953-55
Archie Anderson	- 1949-53

Home > Ayr United F.C.

1 Introduction

2 Contact Details

3 Club Strip