Conference trucks::football;1

    
    
     Here goes with the first note in the new conference.
    
     Ayr are off to a good start in the league with 2 away wins in the last 
     couple of days. Due to being on holiday, I haven't yet seen the
     new look team, even in friendlies but that will change when we play
     Clydebank on Saturday at Somerset. (mind you, I'll need some help in
     identifying all the new players!!)
    
     Nice to see our good neighbours from Devastation City getting off to a
     good start with 1 point from 2 home games. Long may it continue.
    
     ps Who was responsible for arranging the games at the begginning of
     the season? It looks as if half the teams in the league started with
     2 home games, the others obviously had 2 away games. Strange methinks.
    
      Danny.

    
    Montrose 1 Ayr 3
    
    An adequate performance against a team who will surely be playing
    2nd Div football next season. Ayr dominated the first half and
    should have been at least 2 up at half time. Over the 90 mins we
    deserved our 3-1 victory. 
     Last nights team was :  Duncan
                             Burley
                             Agnew
                             Furphy
                             Auld
                             McLean
                             Fraser
                             George
                             Bryce
                             Graham
                             Shaw       subs. Smith, Kennedy
     
    Good performances all round except Ally Graham who, as usual, moaned
    from start to finish. Best performances came from Furphy, Shaw, Agnew 
    and man of the match Duncan George. The all round fitness was exceptional.
    
    Lets hope for more of the same on saturday from the team at the top of
    the table.
    
    ...Derek

    
    
     AYR UNITED 3  Clydebank 0
    
      Not a very impressive performance, but another 3 goals and 2 points
    in the bag. Clydebank were pretty poor although they had a great chance   
    to level at 1-1, might of made it a different game.
    
     Disappointed in Fraser(he's not a forward though) and McLean. Noticed
    big Ally still can't keep his mouth shut and just get on with the game.
    
     MOM - Duncan George.
    
     Scorers - Bryce (penalty) Shaw (2).
    
      Danny.

    
    Another 3 goals and another 2 pts sees us stay top of Div 1. The
    performance left at lot to be desired though and while the confidence
    must be high we shouldn't get carried away. The real test will come in
    the next 3 weeks. We play Dundee away in the Skol Cup then play Raith
    (h), Killie (a) and Partick (h) in the league. If we come out of these
    games with reasonable results there is no reason why we can't have a 
    successful season. 
     Burley is proving that hard work and a greater level of fitness can
    produce the right results. We aren't playing skillful, attractive football
    but the team is giving 110% and in this league that is all thats
    required. 
     Hopefully tomorrow night we can get a result against a side that defeated
    us on every occassion last season. I'll go for 1-1.
    
    ...Derek
    
     

    
    Well who would have guessed that after 3 games we would be averageing 3
    goals a game and sitting on top of the league. I definately agree with
    Derek about the hard work and 110% effort that's being shown. Obviously 
    the firness is paying off as we've scored four of our nine goals in
    the last ten minutes.
    
    Although there was very little good football played on Saturday I don't
    think the team is all muscle with hash and bash tactics. After all it
    was basically the same team that played Coventry off the park
    pre-season. I think the true test will come in the games following
    our first defeat.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    John.

    Here's the fixture list for season 91-92
    
    
    AUGUST
    Sat 10th - Forfar
    Tues 13th - Montrose
    Sat 17th - CLYDEBANK
    Wed 21st - Dundee -  Skol Cup       
    Sat 24th - RAITH ROVERS
    Sat 31st - Kilmarnock
    
    SEPTEMBER
    Sat 7th - PARTICK TH
    Sat 14th - Dundee
    Sat 21st - MEADOWBANK TH
    Sat 28th - Morton
    
    OCTOBER
    Wed 1st - Dundee    B & Q Cup
    Sat 5th - STIRLING ALBION
    Wed 9th - Hamilton
    Sat 12th - FORFAR
    Sat 19th - Clydebank
    Sat 26th - Partick Th
    Tues 29th - DUNDEE
    
    NOVEMBER
    Sat 2nd - KILMARNOCK
    Sat 9th - Raith Rov
    Sat 16th - Stirling Alb
    Tues 19th - HAMILTON
    Sat 23rd - Meadowbank Th
    Sat 30th - MONTROSE
    
    DECEMBER
    Tues 3rd - MORTON
    Sat 7th - Forfar
    Sat 14th - PARTICK TH
    Sat 21st - Dundee
    Sat 28th - RAITH ROVERS
    
    JANUARY
    Wed 1st - Kilmarnock
    Sat 4th - STIRLING ALBION
    Sat 11th - Hamilton
    Sat 18th - Montrose
    Sat 25th - SCOTTISH CUP
    
    FEBRUARY
    Sat 1st - CLYDEBANK
    Sat 8th - MEADOWBANK TH
    Sat 15th - SCOTTISH CUP
    Sat 22nd - Morton
    Sat 29th - Stirling Albion
    
    MARCH
    Sat 7th - HAMILTON
    Sat 14th - Raith Rovers
    Sat 21st - KILMARNOCK
    Sat 28th - FORFAR
    
    APRIL
    Sat 4th - Clydebank
    Tues 7th - Partick Th
    Sat 11th - DUNDEE
    Sat 18th - Meadowbank Th
    Sat 25th - MONTROSE
    
    MAY
    Sat 2nd - MORTON
    
    Kev.
    
    

    WITH OUR NEXT TRIP NORTH NOW ONLY A DAY AWAY, AND A GOOD START TO THE
    SEASON ALREADY UNDER OUR BELT IT CAN BE HOPED THAT THIS ENCOUNTER WITH
    DODDS AND CO. WILL BE MUCH MORE FAVOURABLE THAN LAST YEARS ATTEMPTS.
    
    IT SHOULD BE HOPED THAT WITH SOME "MIXERS" IN THE TEAM IN THE SHAPE OF
    GEORGE, KENNEDY, AGNEW AND, TO A DEGREE McLEAN AND "THE BOSS" THAT THE
    GOOD START WE ARE ENJOYING SHOULD CONTINUE. CAMMY LOOKS SAFE BETWEEN
    THE STICKS AND WITH SUPER WILLIE F. IN FRONT ALONG WITH AULD WHO, I
    THINK WILL SETTLE IN OK, THE DEFENCE WILL START TO GET ON TOP OF THINGS
    GENERALLY. BIG ALLY UP FRONT NEEDS A BOOT UP THE, WELL YOU KNOW WHERE,
    AT TIMES BUT THE THIRD GOAL AGAINST THE 'BANKIES SHOWED WHY HE CAN
    STILL KEEP SHAW ON THE BENCH. HOWEVER GREG HAS IMPROVED WELL OVER THE
    CLOSE SEASON AND WILL BE PUSHING FOR A PLACE IN THE FIRST ELEVEN. SMITH
    LOOKS A HANDY MAN TO HAVE AND HIS FINISHING IS NOT IN QUESTION AS HIS
    WINNER AT FORFAR PROVED. ALLY FRAZER CAN TURN IT ON WHEN HE WANTS TO, A
    BIT MORE OFTEN WOULD'NT HURT BUT LETS HOPE HE TAKES A MAD TURN AND
    WORKS FOR A FULL NINTY MINUTES.
    
    SO ALL IN ALL THE TEAM LOOKS STRONG BUT THE BIG TEST WILL NO DOUBT COME
    AGAINST DUNDEE. WIN AND WE'RE SURELY ON A WINNER, LOSE AND IT'S NOT THE
    END OF THE WORLD BUT HOPEFULLY IT SHOULD SHOW WHERE IMPROVEMENT'S HAVE TO
    BE MADE TO TURN A GOOD TEAM INTO A BETTER TEAM.
    
             HERE'S HOPING AND I'LL SEE THE FAITHFUL TOMORROW NIGHT.
    
                                           FESS
      
    

    Can anybody tell me about the Forfar game
    
    
    ... Bean

    Yes,
    
    Forfar scored from a touched-on free-kick after 15 mins. Duncan had
    been screaming at the wall to move to the left. They didn't and Paton
    smashed a cracker into the top left corner. Ayr equalised after about
    25 mins when Ally Fraser ran onto a loose ball and thundered it into
    the top right. Ayr pressed more and more and were rewarded when Ally
    Graham's hopeful cross was flicked over the keepers head by Shaw.
    Forfar equalised with 15 mins left when Adam headed in a cross from the
    left. Ayr brought on Mike Smith for Shaw and he became an instant hero
    with the travelling support when he chased a ball from Bryce (?) and
    fired home brilliantly from 12 yards into the top right with 30 secs
    left. 
    
    Good game for the fans (of Ayr anyway !)
    
    Kev...

    
    
     Ally Graham wins the B&Q skill award for the first division for, I 
    presume, August. 
    
    
         Danny...
    

    
    Have just read in this morning's paper. 
    
    "The White Brazilian" and "Super Cammy" are both out of today's game
    with Dundee. This means the return of "Dizzy" and "Floppy".
    
    I've got a feeling we won't see a repeat of our 4-2 Skol Cup win !!!!!
                                                      
    ...Derek.

    
    Dundee won 3-1
    
    

    Would today be a good day to start a Dundee topic ??
    
    Hello Beanie :^)...

    1. Are you serious Danny that the big carthorse won a SKILL ??? award
    
    
    2. Malcolm :- don't be silly
    
    
    
      
    Ayr played well at Dundee and were unlucky to only be level at half
    time. McAllister and Bryce hit the bar in the first half and until they
    scored in the second we were the better team.
    
    How the referee allowed Dodds to stay on the park after he retaliated on
    Kennedy is beyond me.
    
    Purdie was at fault with the third goal but he had a world class save
    before that. 
    
    Disappointing for the travelling support but lets hope that Cammy and
    Willie are available for the Meadowbank game.
    
    
    
    ... Beanie

    It was good to see the (small) travelling support giving Burley a good
    reception as he walked to the dugout. He knows that it is the away fans
    that are the REAL supporters, not the part-time/armchair boys who jump
    on the bandwagon when we are winning and jump down throats when we are
    losing. 
    
    The makeshift team did play well until Dundee scored their second goal
    (although it did look a tad offside) but from then on it was one-way.
    Shaw went off to let Walker on but he couldn't get a kick at the ball 
    (or the goalie for a change !) and the only incident of note was the
    rousing cheer from the Ayr end when somebody finally nailed Billy "The
    Submarine" Dodds and the wee rat had to be carried off. He should have
    been sent-off for retaliating on a Kennedy tackle but the ref did not
    even speak to him. Purdie played well apart from selling the third goal
    and as Bean says he had a couple of brilliant reflex saves before that.
    
    Oh Well, off to the Hallowed Ground tonight to see the Wee Ayr play the
    Bankies.
    
    The Full_timer....  

    
    
     Stevie, according to Fridays Daily Express, the award mentioned did
    indeed go to the real Super Ally. (Scott Crabbe in the premier and
    somebody Morrison of Clyde in division 2).
    
     By the way Stevie, a petition is being mounted to have you banned from
    watching the super-U's as we haven't done too well since you returned
    from holiday...:-),:-)
    
       Danny...

    
    Well chaps, after 2 defeats in a row people are saying "the bubble has
    burst". We know different, this is no bubble and to prove it we MUST
    win well on Saturday against Meadowbank. 
    
    Our next 5 games are Meadowbank(h), Morton(a), Stirling Albion(h), 
    Hamilton(a) and Forfar(h). Although the 2 away games will be tough we
    should be looking to pick up a minimum of 7pts. 
    
    Losing the last 2 games is a mere hiccup. I'm confident we will be back
    to winning ways on Saturday. Hopefully Furphy and Duncan will both be fit
    after missing the Dundee game.
    
    ...Derek 

    For all those just dying to know the result and scorers from last night
    
    Ayr     2     -     1 Clydebank
    (Walker 7')       (Templeton 40')
    (Gillespie 14')
    
    The Wee Ayr are now third in the league with a game in hand. Clydebank
    are still top.
    
    Here's hoping the big team can repeat the scoreline on Saturday .
    
    Kev...	

    The local press has hinted that McTurk may be thrown in against
    Meadowbank,it stated that the boss isn't keen on the Graham,Shaw
    partnership and is looking at alternatives.Personally,I think that
    Shaw is more effective when coming on as sub and Smith is better
    at right midfield than Fraser and Kennedy.Is it to much of a step
    for a former amateur to play in the first division with such little
    preparation ? I have to say i am in the not sure category, but if
    the gaffer say he is ready ,then that will do me .
          On a different note ,with the sacking of Munro at Dunfermline
    the managerial merry go round could arrive at Somerset.This being
    the case an ambitious manager like Burley would grab Premier football
    with both hands,and who could blame him.In the event of this tragedy
    I would hope that the club would be able to hang on to the very
    impressive Dale Roberts.This would all be speculation if one of
    the teams concerned emply an out of work manager,let's hope that
    this is the case.
                               Cheers
                                 Sal
    P.S I won't be able to make saturday's game but I would like to
    think that the loyal will out-shout the empty heads,and that the
    Giants will have a resounding victory.  
    
    

    Scottish League Division 1
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    
    Ayr United.......7  Meadowbank Th....0
    
    
    

    
    No need to rub it in. Ayr must have been poxed.  The ref was biased 
    the 7th goal was offside.  It was raining, it wa too hot, too cold. 
    :-)
    
    We'll be back.
    
    
    Gary (a Meadowbank supporter who hasn't been locked up yet).
    
    PS We're still the only team from the capital city to have won a
    championship in the past 10 years.

    
    I'm still in shock after the Black and White machine's destruction of
    an abysmal Meadowank (sp?) team. They must have given gold jersey's out
    to the first 13 nutters to appear from the Capital and then blindfolded
    them for 90 minutes. I haven't got time to put in the usual match
    report listing the goals,as I finish at 4.45,so a short gloat will have
    to do. It's a pity McTurk went off at half-time as I'm sure they could
    have lined up one of the goals for him as well. He looked fast and
    tricky but his stamina is probably a bit short of 90 minute duration
    yet. Even Davie Scissorhands had a reasonable game and actually held
    two crosses. However, I hope Super Cammy returns against the Greenock
    Boys next week. The goals by Duncan George and the second by Greg Shaw
    were probably the pick of the bunch but I still felt that the much -
    maligned Tommy Bryce had an excellent game and set up numerous chances
    and goals, so he gets my MOM award.
    
    I bet you feel sick Sal ?
    
    
    Kev...

    You guessed it guys - I wasn't there. Sat in front of the fire nursing
    a cold. They haven't been beaten in the league when I've not been
    there.
    
     The petition to stop me from attending will be getting bigger.
    
    
    Bad news is the cold has gone and I shall be there at Greenock !
    
    
    ... Bean

    
     After 2 3-1 defeats we had to get back on the winning trail on
    Saturday to prevent us falling off the pace at the top of the league
    and also to boost the players confidence. To win 7-0 is a big bonus
    and also makes a big improvement on the goal difference.
    
     In all honesty it could have been a lot more. Greg Shaw should have
    had a hat-trick and if Ally Fraser hadn't been so greedy, Tommy Bryce
    could have picked up a couple.
    
     A visit to sunny Cappielow on Saturday which will give the machine a
    harder test. I'll settle for a draw.
    
     MOM - Tommy Bryce (shades it from Duncan George)
    
     Best goal - Paul McLean's (good move involving half the team)
    
       Danny...

    Well lads I am looking for donations to send Stevie "Hoodoo" Allen
    on an all expenses paid tour of devastation city finishing at Rugby
    Park this Saturday in order to help Ayr to two points at Greenock.
    On a serious note,rumour has it that Cammy Duncan could be sidelined
    for six weeks,hopefully this is not the case.However if this is
    the case then we really do need to get behind Purdie as he will
    be our goalkeeper at the moment and we must help build up his
    confidence if more shut-outs are to follow.
            I wasn't at the game on Saturday so could anybody inform
    me how McTurk played and do you think he will be in the squad for
    Cappielow? Let's hear your opinions.
                            Cheers
                              Sal
    P.S I see the Killie faithful got a free shower on Saturday as well
    as their weekly gubbing.

    
    
     Sal, McTurk played reasonably well considering it was his debut. He
    showed a lot of good touches and set up several chances before being
    subbed at half-time. He'll need to spend some more time in the reserves
    building up his stamina and strength before pushing for a regular first
    team place. He certainly looks a very good prospect for the future.
    Having said that, I don't expect him to be in the squad for Saturday.
    
     On the goalkeeping front, Purdie actually played quite well on
    Saturday albeit against very poor opposition. He seemed to be a lot
    more confident than he was last season. Hopefully, if Duncan doesn't
    make it Purdie can produce the goods and keep us amongst the leaders.
    
      Danny...
    

    
    According to yesterday's Advertiser Cammy Duncan has a chance, albeit
    slim, of playing this Saturday. At worst he should be back for the
    Stirling Albion game a week on Saturday.
    
    ...Derek

    Well troops, we've done it again,
    
    Maybe not the way the script was set out but another great performance
    in the last fifteen minutes. It would seem that the area we used
    to fade away in is now our strongest asset and I think it only fair
    to say that not many teams in the first division can match the Super
    U's in the last quarter of the game.
    
    But I digress.
    
    Hard on the heels of our narrow victory last week hopes were high
    for more goals and another two points, we were not to be let down.
    The first goal was an enjoyable affair involving Super Skill
    and the Invisable Man, better known to many as Super Ally, super
    Ally tra la la la la la la, ( should be sung to one's self whilst
    reading ) and Super Ally super Ally etc. etc. The head down by big
    Ally was more or less perfect for Mr Fraser to blaze a scortcher
    from about twenty yards. After this three other things happened but I
    can't recall what they were. Anyway to goal number two. For those
    who listen to radio Scotland it was a cracker from Hood, for the
    rest of us super sub Shaw done the damage. A delightfully taken
    goal, but what else can you expect from the leading goal grabber
    in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland, the UK, the world, the universe etc.
    point made I think. The third came as a result of sustained pressure
    and was cracked in by two goals in two games Mclean and the winner
    I've left till last ( 'cause that's when it was scored ) was, for
    me, the pick of the bunch. I thought Cally was going to wait all
    day befor letting rip but in the end it was well worth waiting for.
    I don't think even Mr Shaw could have finnished it any better.
    
    Well there it is folks, I'm sure Kev will give us his usual blow
    by blow account but I've touched on the more important points of
    the game. Points for disccusion; 1. Why was Kennedy booked for handling
    after the ball was already over the line and therefor out of play.
    2. What was that pr**k of a ref doing in the middle by skillfully
    setting up the equalliser and 3. Why are Killie the shittiest senior
    team in Ayrshire. Answers on a postcard for number three please
    addressed to Blue Peter who can maybe give them a team they made
    earlier.
    
                                 John........
    
    
    p.s. I've just remembered what the three things that I forgot
    were......Morton scored.
    
                        Bye yaawlll.

    
      A good win away from home after giving away 3 dreadful goals to the
    'ton. Purdie and Furphy were badly at fault for all 3 goals (with a
     little help from the ref for number 1).
    
      Back to our goals, you'll be hard pushed to see any team score 4
    goals of similar quality to Saturday's strikes. Pick of the bunch for
    me was Shaw's goal which brought us right back into the game after we
    had went 3-1 down. A great turn followed by un unstoppable drive from
    20-25 yards. Cally's smash from 20 yards in the last minute for a
    spectacular winner was the icing on the cake.
    
     We've proved all season that we'll score goals in this league. Our
    problem is at the back where we've lost too many daft goals. We really
    need to tighten up here.
    
     Dundee on Tuesday in the B&Q centenary cup (or whatever it's called
    now).
    
     Stirling Albion at home next Saturday. A win is crucial as the top 2
    meet at Dens Park next week.
    
     MOM on Saturday - has to be Duncan George simply for his crunching
    tackle that left 2 Morton players requiring extensive treatment. Never
    a booking in my view :-) :-)
    
     Danny...

    Well chaps,
    
    
          I was in Holland on business when we beat Coventry 3-1. I
    returned to see us being beaten 2-1 from Swansea. I then spent a month
    in Canada to return to see us being beaten 2-0 by Hibs, 3-1 by Partick
    and 3-1 from Dundee. I had the cold the day of our 7-0 win over
    Meadowbank and missed the game. On Saturday I went to see us beat
    Morton, and with twelve minutes to go we were 3-1 down ---------
    
    
    
    
               SO I LEFT -  ENOUGH SAID
    
    
    
    'The HOODOO'
    
    
                

    What can I say that has not already been said about "The Great Escape"?
    
    3-1 down after 78 mins was rather a false position as IMO Ayr had been
    the better side except for 20 mins in the second half when the midfield
    all went for a breather. Mr Wyllie in the Morton goal must be
    absolutely sick, not only with his defence ,but with himself for
    wasting just enough time to allow Ayr to slam in a glorious winner in
    what was about the 92nd minute by my watch. I had already settled for
    the draw after being down and out so thanks again Dave , your a hero at
    Somerset. 
    
    But onto the usual moan about the BITB, a certain Mr McVicar from
    Cappilowe, sorry Carluke. Some of his decisions were strange to say the
    least. He booked George for a hefty challenge, fair enough, but how
    could he ignore the melee which ensued afterwards when Wyllie,Psycho
    Super Ally and Auldy were all throwing their weight about ? Is it my
    imagination or is the standard of refereeing gone down the toilet
    recently ? He also missed a blatant handball (accidental, I Think) by
    McLean when he scored the equaliser. I'm not being biased because he
    was just plain dreadful for both teams and I thought it had an effect
    on the result. Also to book Kennedy for punching the ball out of the
    net when he had already blown for the goal was odd. I thought when the
    ball crossed the line it was out of play so he was hardly preventing a
    goal , was he ?
    
    Off to Dundee tonight for the B&Q Cup. No doubt with all the rain ,
    Billy "The Submarine" "I Go Down Faster Than Linda Lovelace" Dodds will
    be up to his usual tricks (I see he dived for another penalty on
    Saturday) so I expect us to lose about 2 or 3 goals , especially if
    Scissorhands is between the sticks.
    
    Kev....

    
    Dear Hoodoo,
    
    glad to hear you won't be at Dens tonight. Our chances must improve !
    
             --------------------------------------------
    
    Chaps,
    
    It was nice to see us play so badly for 70mins on saturday and still 
    win. Had it not been for Morton crapping themselves under pressure the
    goals we gifted them could have been very costly. We can't afford to be
    as slack at the back tonight as Dundee won't "bottle" it the way Morton
    did. 
    
    If we are to have a successful season we must strengthen at the back.
    Morton are not a good side but still managed to scored 3 times. On
    the evidence of our performances against them and Partick we should
    have nothing to fear as long as we don't concede silly goals. 
    
    ...Derek
     
    
    ...Derek
       
    
     

    Dear Hoodoo.....
    
    	Talk to you tomorrow :^)...

    
    
     Due to dodgy weather conditions, decided not to make the trip north.
    No doubt our loyal roving reporter was there, how about some match
    info and team please Kev. Was it as convincing as the papers make out??
    
      Danny...

    The team was the same as at Greenock but with Smith at 11 and Fraser at
    7, McLean moving to 6 and Cally on the bench. Ayr started well and
    playing into a very strong wind in the first half, they took the game
    to a very lacklustre Dens side. Dundee threatened with Carson's long
    kickouts but the strikers failed to capitalise on any chances created.
    All the Ayr support had payed into the wing stand above the tunnel and 
    were making all the noise in a sparse crowd of 2000. Ayr took the lead
    in the 25th minute when Dodds was forced into a bad pass which Smith
    intercepted outside the box. He strode forward into the box
    unchallenged and feinted before firing past Carson who had already
    dived. 1-0 and the Ayrshire Giants were in top gear. They harnessed the
    wind for the rest of the 45 and were rewarded when Bryce was pulled
    down 25 yards from goal. Agnew and Fraser stood over the ball and when
    Garry (I'm not a hoopy maggot anymore) Agnew touched it to his right,
    Fraser unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top right corner to put
    the Super U's in 2-0 up at half-time. With the wind at their backs in
    the second-half and Shaw on for Smith, we all expected a couple more
    but it was Dundee who looked the likelier to score and almost did when
    the No 8 (?) ran onto a great ball and fired past the advancing
    Scissorhands. The ball held up in the wind leaving our No 2 goalie
    Super Davie K with all the time in the world to stop the ball on the
    line and dribble past Dodds before clearing. All in all a competent
    display and the best feature was the performance of the defence and
    Purdie in particular who was outstanding (beleive it or not !!)
    
    The Loyal Roving Reporter....

    Well done......oh well.....hope for better against Partick on Saturday.
    
    I suppose Mr. Allen didn't make the trip :^)...
    
    

    You are correct Malcolm. If we beat you again in a cup do we get you to
    keep ?????
    
    
    
    ... Bean

    You don't get me to keep.....
    
    	But you can have your note back for a while :^)...

    
    It's was nice to gain revenge last night for last season's cup final 
    defeat. Can we go one better and win it this year ?
    
    I think we can. 
    
    After having watched the better teams in the league, ie. Partick & Dundee,
    we are certainly as good and should fear no-one. It's time we started
    talking confidently about Ayr's chances of success. Afterall we have
    proven we can score goals. Greg Shaw has scored more times this season
    than Killie. If we can thighten up the defence things can only get
    better.
    
    ...Derek   

    
    The draw for the next round of the B&Q Cup is :
    
    Stenhousemuir v Ayr Utd
    
    To be played on Tue 15th Oct

    
    
     A good draw for the mighty machine in our bid to go one better and
    win this year's competition.
    
     With 3 all first division ties, some of the better teams will be going
    out early.
    
     Partick v Hamilton
    
     Morton v The filth
    
     Raith v Clydebank.
    
      
     Hopefully we can win this tie, get a couple of second division teams
    in the next couple of rounds (like last year) and we'll be finalists
    again.
    
     I see the boss is expecting a tough game tomorrow against Stirling at
    Somerset. Although they've only won once this season, they've only lost
    4 goals in 5 away games so we shouldn't expect another high-scoring
    game. I'll settle for the 2 points to close the gap on the top 2 who
    meet at Dens.
    
     Danny...

    Danny,
    
          We beat Clyde in the semi-final of the B+Q last year. They were
    in the first division at that point.
    
        But the bad news is I will be there tomorrow.
    
    
    rgds ... Stevie
    

    Stevie..
    
    
    
    Will you stay away from Somerset Park please ?????
    
    
    
    Every time you show up, we play crap (like Saturday) so ....
    
    
    
    STAY AWAY !
    
    
    Kev...

    Word on the street, Kev, is that 'Gorgeous' Bob Reilly gave you boys a
    bit of roasting when he turned out for Stirling Albion last Saturday.
    That makes me smile 8-) and smile 8-)... and smile 8-). 
    
    He's such a great player that he isn't allowed to play against us for
    Stirling either (Although how we managed to wangle a condition like
    that in to a FREE transfer I'll never know).
    
    Gorgeous Bob and wee fat Willie - there's a duo to bring back happy
    memories to a Killie fan. On second thoughts make that side-splittingly
    hysterical memories :-)).
    
    
    Andy.

    Word on the Street ?????
    
    You mean I told you yesterday, don't you .
    
    Perhaps I over-rated him just a wee bit, but he certainly did not look
    like a player who has not had a first team game this season.
    
    
    On the other hand , it's nice to see Killie keeping to their recent
    trend of pouring money/assets down the drain with the signing of yet
    ANOTHER goalie (Andy Graham, not Goram as Fleeting probably thought)
    and a midfield genital.....sorry general in that great Hamilton Accie, 
    Hugh Burns...
    
    Tommy Burns alcoholic twin sister !
    
    Kev...

    
    After our shocking performance against Stirling Albion on Saturday
    we have the chance to bounce back tonight against Hamilton. Our
    recent record against them has been poor although we did put them out
    of last year's Scottish Cup. 
    
    With Partick and Dundee both dropping points last night we have the
    chance to reduce the gap. In saying that, I'm not too confident of
    picking up 2pts tonight. Hamilton have only lost once in the league
    this season and coupled with our own deterioration in recent weeks,
    I think we'll find it tough.
    
    I'll settle for a point. 
    
    ...Derek
    

    Re. last night's 3-1 defeat. Was Billy Stark playing for Hamilton ??

    
    The note was set hidden because of the phrase in the last line which 
    I've heard at many football grounds and I consider to be racist.  From
    reading previous replies I now realise that it was not a racist term in
    this case but a nickname for Ayr United.
    
    Gary.

    re .47
    
    Yes, Stark came on as a sub after about 60 mins and gave away the
    penalty with his first tackle (Bryce missed it). That was honestly his
    total contribution to the game.
    
    re .48
    
    It's a nickname for Ayr United supporters not the actual team. A more
    appropriate nickname for the team would be ......
    
    
    
    set hidden by the moderators. (on last nights performance anyway)
    
    Kev...

    
    A 4-0 win on Saturday against a team who look to have relegation
    written all over them already. It certainly wasn't the most 
    spectacular performance I've seen this season but it was certainly
    more than enough to deal with a really poor Forfar team. In fact the 
    only cause for concearn we had in our box was when Purdie flattened big
    Ally twice within a couple of minutes, leaving him flat on his back
    requiring treatment. 
    
    Hopefully, we'll find the form which seems to have deserted us fairly
    soon with 3 of the next 4 league games against top of the table teams.
    
    
    Any comments on the substitution. I felt Smith was a little hard done
    by in being taken off and feel Shaw was only sent on to perform for any 
    scouts in the stand. 
    
    
    
    
    Steep. 
    
    

    HOT NEWS !!!
    
    The rumour machine has it that Ayr have sold Cammy Duncan to Dunfermline
    and have signed Ally Maxwell (ex Motherwell). Rhodes of Dunfermline has
    moved to Oldham.
    
    More news when we have it.......
    
    Kev...

    There is no mention of this in the club call. Who knows more or has
    heard on the radio then please let us know.
    
    
    regards ... Stevie

    
    
    Has the phantom rumourmonger struck again ?????
    
    The only news I've heard was that Ayr hope to sign Lee Gardiner
    some time today. (Westsound this morning)
    
    
    
    Steep.

     
     Well lads here's a wee run down on we reached our first 40 goals this 
    season. I've only included League, Skol cup and B&Q cup no friendlies.
    Due to limited space you'll have to work out the opponents and the
    competitions.  
    
    
    
    
    Steep.
    
    
________________________________________________________________________________
  Name             |  1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5  |  6  |  7  |  8  |  9  |  10 |
-------------------|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|
                   |Forf |Mont |Mort |Dund |
  Ally Fraser      |10/8 |13/8 |28/9 |1/10 |
-------------------|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|
                   |Forf |Clydebank  |Dundee     |St J |Meadowbank |Mort |Forf |
  Greg Shaw        |10/8 |17/8       |21/8       |27/8 |21/9       |28/9 |12/10|
-------------------|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----------|-----|-----|
                   |Forf |Rait |Dund |
  Mike Smith       |10/8 |24/8 |1/10 |
-------------------|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|
 		   |Montrose   |Clyd |Dund |Hami |Forf |
  Tommy Bryce      |13/8     p |17/8p|21/8p|9/10 |12/10|
-------------------|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|
                   |Dund |St J |Part |Mead |Stir |Forfar     |Sten |
  Ally Graham      |21/8 |27/8 |7/9  |21/9 |5/10 |12/10      |15/10|
-------------------|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----------|-----|
                   |Kilm |Dund |
  Stewart Auld     |31/8 |14/9 |
-------------------|-----|-----|    
                   |Mead |Mort |
  Ian McAllister   |21/9 |28/9 |
-------------------|-----|-----|
                   |Mead |
  Duncan George    |21/9 |
-------------------|-----|
                   |Mead |
  Gary Agnew       |21/9 |
-------------------|-----|-----|-----|
                   |Mead |Mort |Sten |
  Paul McLean      |21/9 |28/9 |15/10|
-------------------|-----|-----|-----|

    
    I go to London for a week's training and while I'm away all hell breaks
    loose in this topic.
    
    Are all the past replies just rumours or have they any substance ?
    
    ie. Have we signed Lee Gardner ?
        Have we sold Cammy Duncan ?
        Are we buying a centre half ?
    
    
    Derek.

    
    
     You're in danger of repeating yourself John!!
    
     Good to see that Burley has decided to get rid of both Brown and
    Gillespie. Neither of them are good enough to play first team football
    and Burley is prepared to give younger players like Hood a chance
    before he'll play any of these two numpties.
    
     If Tommy Walker and Greg Shaw both go, as seems certain just now,
    won't that leave us a bit short up-front? Any good prospects coming
    through in the reserves Kev?
    
     Then again, we'll probably sign Billy "I want to be a submarine" Dodds
    and we'll continue as Britain's highest scoring team!!
    
      Danny...
           

    
    The thing is Danny will you be able to spot todays deliberate mistook
    :-)
    
    
    According to the Daily Record this morning Shaw has been impressive in 
    his weeks trial at Anfield and Souness is considering offering 250,000
    If only the Record could get it right just this once. :-)
    
    
    
    Steep.
    

    Just phoned Somerset to get the draw and.....
    
    
    Guess what ??
    
    Ayr play QOS at home in the semi
    
    Surprised ?
    
    Me neither !
    
    Kev...

    
    
     This season's Ayrshire Cup Final is at BUGME PARK, Devastation City on
    Tuesday 26th November.
    
    Other trophy for our collection...:-)
    
     Danny.

    
    Kev,
        I know we were crap but how about a report on the Partick
        game for us part-timers.
      
        ...Derek

    OK You asked for it.
    
    Ayr started better and Smith had two chances in the first 2 minutes. A
    header which went wide and a 20 yard shot which hit the side netting.
    On Partick's first attack, McLaughlin played the ball through to
    McGlashan who was perhaps 2 feet offside, the linesman saw it but did
    nothing, I saw from the perfect angle and he was definitely off , he
    ran on and played it past Duncan who dived full length to try and block
    it. McGlashan "caught" his boot in Cammy's guts and tumbled down like
    he had been shot.(If you don't beleive it was a dive, see yesterday's
    Sun which had brilliant pictures of Glasgow's answer to Greg Louganis
    doing a perfect triple somersault with pike (degree of difficulty 8.7))
    McCluskey,the Killie Bar steward of a ref decided it was a dreadful
    challenge by Duncan , awarded a penalty and booked Cammy as well. 1-0
    and the backs are already against the wall. Partick's next attack on 21
    mins brought a scarcely deserved second goal. A needlessly conceded
    corner was cleared as far as Jobby Law who swung a boot at it and it
    flew through a ruck of players and ended up in the corner of the net.
    Law then proceeded to run up the park, kissing his jersey, gesturing to
    any Ayr fan that was watching and generally being a total pr!ck. (He's
    good at that). Just after this McGlashan decided to dive again, this
    time between the centre circle and 18 yard line, with no player within
    4 feet of him. This was too obvious for even a blind retarded old turd
    like McCluskey too fall for and he was told to get up, Still, practise
    makes perfect so watch out when the frost is around 'cause he'll never
    be on his feet and Partick will win at least one penalty a game. The
    first half petered out to a boring finale , enlivened only by watching
    Mike Smith's attempts to control the ball. He is crap, he could not
    control the ball if it was tied to him on a short string. He will be
    going back south come next May. 
    
    Part 2 was little better but the introduction of SuperSub did bring the
    rest of the team to realise that Partick did actually have a net the
    same as us and some of them began to find a way to it. It was in this
    half that Murdoch made his first save of the match. McGlashan scored
    Thistle's 3rd with a cracking 20 yard shot which flew over Cammy and in
    at the far post. 
    
    All in all a crap display on a crap surface in a crappy part of the
    world.
    
    Best for Ayr were George,Agnew,Shaw,Auld. Poor performances from Smith
    Duncan, Graham and Gardner (grass was too long for him)
    
    Prediction for tonight.
    
    Ayr 1 - 2 Dundee
    
    The Pessimistic Kev...... 

    
    What was the score tonight,Kevin......

    
     Ayr United 4 Dundee 1

    
     A good win last night sets us up for the clash with Killie (who?) on
    Saturday. 4 very good goals and a reasonable performance at the back
    must give the team a bit more confidence following the past few weeks
    disasters.
    
     Evans and Gardner were outstanding in the midfield which will be a
    crucial area on Saturday against the Burns Geriatric Collection. Anyone
    know whats up with George? If he's fit for Saturday I would expect him
    to return with Shaw or Smith back on the bench.
    
           Danny...

    After my rantings in .64 about how bad Smith was he scores two great
    goals against the worst Dundee side I have ever seen. If that is what
    happens when I slag a player off, then Shaw,Graham,Gardner,Agnew et al
    are all crap. (Let's see if they score a couple each on Saturday :-) )
    
    After early Dundee pressure Ayr took the lead in 15 mins when Garry
    Agnew took a short free-kick from Smith and rasped home a 20 yarder
    past a dozing keeper. It was all Ayr for the rest of the first half and
    on the 35 minute mark an Agnew cross was cleared as far as Smith who
    took careful aim and chipped the ball in at the back post. 5 minutes
    later Shaggy Shaw collected an Agnew pass 25 yards out and, spotting
    Mathers off his line, blasted it over his head and into the net. 3-0
    and the smallish Ayr support were giving it laldy behind the Somerset
    goal. Sweet revenge for a 4-0 gubbing last year at Dens. 
    Part 2 was predictable with Dundee attempting to salvage some pride and
    Ayr content to soak up some pressure and hit on the break. When Billy
    the Submarine scored a consolation for them on hour mark it only fired
    Ayr up and a brilliant move down the left by Bryce when he beat two men
    and cut the ball inside where Ally dummied it and Smith hit it was
    rewarded when Mathers could only palm the latters shot into the top
    corner. Good entertaining stuff and we're now top scorers in the league
    by six goals.  Bring on that other team from AYRshire.
    
    The Happy Kev....

    
    Well Chaps wasn't it nice to see us return to the form we showed at the
    start of the season after the crap we've endured in recent weeks. All in 
    all a competent performance topped by 4 very good goals. The only bad 
    point from last night was that I felt we tended to panic slightly 
    after Dundee scored, even though we still had a two goal lead. 
     Gardiner had his best game since signing and Stevie Evans looks to be
    getting back to his best. We still look shakey at the back and I was
    sorry to see Craig Paterson sign for the filth. I would have liked to
    have seen him sign for us. 
         
    Hopefully we can make him see the error of his ways on saturday.
    
    ...Derek

    
    
    
               I do not hear 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
                     
                       GERMANY CALLING
    
    
                       GERMANY CALLING
    
      
                       GERMANY CALLING
    
    
    
    
    
                         !!!!!!!!!
    
    
    
    
    Where are you Malcolm ???
    
    
    
    
    
    
    love ... Bean

    
    Right Chaps,
    
    What's your predictions for Saturday ?
    
    Personally, I think that it will be a scoring draw , probably 2-2.
    There will definitely be goals as Ayr's defence are letting them in but
    the attack are banging them home as well. 
    
    Duncan George should be fit but who do you leave out ?  Shaw onto the
    bench ?  Smithy ?   
    
    I hope Cammy puts up the shutters as he has been less than convincing
    recently and needs a good game to boost his confidence again.  Agnew
    probably has the toughest job of all watching Mitchell , but Garry
    should not need any incentive to play well as we all know how he feels
    about the Baghdad Boys.  If Evans, Gardner and George play to their
    potential and somebody shuts down Carpet and Grass ( the Burns sisters)
    we should rule the midfield. I'm beginning to feel more confident now !
    
    A wee pre-emptive comment to finish with...
    
    
    
    Dave Murray,  if you go to the game on Saturday, regardless of the
    result, please do not trot out your usual complaint about not being
    able to see anything from the away end....
    
    Have you stood in the away end at Rugby-Tackle Park ??  You need
    binoculars to see the far end.  What was the point in moving the
    segregation fence ?  You'll never fill that ground with Killie fans
    even if you do make it to the Premier. It ranks along with Dens Park
    and Parkhead as one of the all-time worst vantage points for a 
    football match (from the away section that is)
    
    
    Kev...

    
    
     I honestly don't feel too confident about Saturday, mainly because our
    defence is crap. We've lost a lot of goals this season and we could
    loose a few more to the filth. We played reasonably well against Dundee
    and our home record is quite good so hopefully we'll tighten things up
    at the back and in midfield where the Burns Old Crocks could dominate.
    
     We're the top scoring team in Britain just now, hopefully that will
    continue on Saturday.
    
     The Baghdad Boys will probably win quite easily in the yellow/red card
    department, as they did in every game last season!!!
    
      Danny...

    I'm afraid I share your lack of confidence boys, but for Kilmarnock.
    Maybe it's a good thing that both teams are playing crap and we'll see
    a high scoring game. It should be interesting to see what difference
    Craig Paterson will make to a defence that leaks worse than a 580 (Vlsi
    in-joke...ignore it). I wouldn't waste any time trying to mark TB out
    of the game cos he won't be in it. The man I'm sorry to say seems to
    have lost it - the real creator these days is Thunder thighs shuggy
    burns.
    
    Is there anybody fast in your lot these days? cos if there is our
    defence won't be able to cope.
    
    Andy.

    
    The PMT is building....
    
    that's PRE MATCH TENSION not the other thingy, and I'm beginning
    to look forward to tomorrow's match. 
    
    I'm not over confident and right now would settle for a draw.  
    
    In saying that however, if our midfield can take care of Tommy & Hugh Burns
    (all they need is George and it would be the oldest midfield in living
    memory) and our defence has one of it's better days, I think 2 pts is
    on the cards.
    
    ...Derek  
                                                                  

    
    
     Finlay, all the comments being made in this conference about Killie
    are done tongue-in-cheek. After all, if we can't have a good slagging
    and laugh at our oldest rival's expense then it would make for a pretty
    dour topic.
    
     loadsa :-) :-) :-)

Well I returned from holiday in the sun just in time for the derby game. I have
predicted a 2 each draw in the killie notes file but think the game could be 
very close since Ayr let in silly goals ( we need help to score these days ) and
Killie defense strengthed by the latest signing will be pushed by the free
scoring Ayr side.

In an earlier note complaints about the slagging between Killie and Ayr was 
critised but everone should realised is just in good fun and its not serious. 
( except what I say about the Ayr ground being a dump ).


I totally agree that the new segrgation at Rugby park is awfull and dont see the
point in it. However if Ayr allowed the biggest support in the home end I would
get a better view than the last 3 games I've seen at somerset.

On the subject of old players, get your facts right Hugh Burns mau look old but
he is in his mid twenties not late thirties.


Dave


ps : I hear that some Ayr Utd shares are going cheaply these days, and I always
     thought you couldn't give them away.......

    
    
     Yesterday I made the mistake of leaving the pub to witness possibly
    the worst defensive performance ever at Somerset Park. To make matters
    worse, it had to happen against the boys from North Ayrshire. In all
    honesty, I did not think Kilmarnock played particularly well. They just
    had to wait until our defence made a balls-up and they would pick up
    the 2 points. Credit to Burns and Mitchell for scoring 2 very good
    goals but the Ayr defence, well Kennedy and Auld in particular, would
    not have looked out of place in a poor amateur team (no disrespect to
    any amateur's out there!).
    
     Burley has to take the next good offer that comes in for Shaw and
    spend the cash available on a good, fast commanding centre-half and a
    full-back that doesn't go into panic mode whenever the ball comes near
    him. Basically, Auld and Kennedy have to be replaced NOW or we will
    continue to concede unnecessary goals as we did on Saturday.
    
     We obviously have quite a few injury problems when Burley has to
    resort to putting Brown (future Scotland captain my a**e) and McTurk
    (untried youngster) on the bench. Hopefully we can get our act together
    and win on Tuesday night. After Saturday, I'm not so sure.
    
     Danny...

    I was at EDI '91 in Birmingham last week, Beanie. We had lots of good
    demos, leads etc. It was really a wonderful week, and extremely
    interesting.
    
    Due to this, I was unable to keep alive my usual avid interest in the
    Dens mens' performances. Did something important happen :^)...
    
    

    
    Well it's taken me until today to recover from Saturday's gubbing at
    the hands of the filth. Our performance was pathetic and totally inept.
    Credit must go to Kilmarnock who, although we gifted them 2 goals,
    looked as if they could step up a gear at anytime. They were better
    than us in every department and in my opinion have been the most
    impressive league side to play at Somerset this season. I was surprised
    it finished 3-0 as I felt they were capable of scoring everytime they
    attacked. Craig Paterson was outstanding and I'm sure his signing will
    be the turning point in Kilmarnock's season. It hurts to say it but I
    now feel Killie are good enough to win the First Division. With
    Paterson at the back they will no longer lose silly goals.
    
    Let's hope we can restore some pride tonight.
    
    ...Derek

    I must agree with all your comments Derek,in my opinion it was the
    worst performance i have seen from Ayr against Killie in a long time.I
    don,t know how Ayr supporters feel about Greg Shaw but from a Killie
    supporter who has only seen him in the two games against us,i thought
    he was terrible and if i was the Ayr manager i would take the next
    offer that comes in for him and buy a decent centre half.

    
    Apart from the result I think the most disappointing aspect of the game
    was the lack of passion and commitment on the park. In fact a comment
    from some punter on the terracing summed up the whole lack lustre
    performance for me when he quipped after Super Ally had made a half
    hearted attempt to connect with a cross " If that had been Dixie Ingram
    the post, the goalie and the ba' would all have ended up in the net."
    Changed days indeed.
    
    As for the game up until Burns scored I felt we might have had the
    edge but from then on in there was only going to be one winner.
    To answer .81 about Shaw I will be more than happy to see him go. He
    has certainly scored some cracking goals this season but I think that at 
    this time we could do with money far more than the player.
    
    
    
    
    
    Steep.
    

    re .81
    
    Brian,
    I know you have only seen Shaw in 2 matches but beleive me when I say
    he is an excellent if perhaps inconsistent player. I had the same
    trouble convincing Ayr supporters he was good 2 years ago when we
    signed him and look at the comments from them now.
    
    On the subject of reserves, McTurk and Hood are both good prospects and
    in my opinion will be too good for Ayr United within a couple of
    seasons.
    
    Derek,
    
    How's your PMT ?
    
    Personally I just can't get up any enthusiasm about tonight's game. I
    feel we will probably win but will get gubbed in the final if we do.
    Always the Bridesmaids, sigh !! 
    
    The Shellshocked Kev...

     
    After Saturday's garbage I felt we could only improve. How wrong can
    you get. We were appalling and Queen of the South were robbed.
    
    I'm obviously glad were in the final but we don't deserve to be. 
    Our winner was at least 4-5 yards offside.
    
    ...Derek   
      

    Ayr have signed John Traynor (ex-Celtic) from Clydebank. As far as I
    know, he is a full-back. Does anyone know if he can play at centre -
    half or are we still in the market for one of them (the Advertiser says
    there will be another 'signing swoop' this week) 
    Burley was at Rugby-Tackle Park on Monday to see Killie v Celtic
    reserves so he may have been interested in Burgess but I've heard
    Porteous's name mentioned as well.
    
    Last night's debacle should have sent Ayr spinning out of the cup. QOS
    were robbed from start to finish and deserved to win. Syme had probably
    the worst game as ref I have ever seen. He ignored a sending off
    offence when Graham booted Bell on the ground and an assault by Duncan
    George on Henners only got a booking. Ayr's winning goal was about 10
    feet offside and the linesman chose to ignore that as well. You will
    never get a luckier team than Ayr last night, let's hope they carry
    that same luck into the final against the Accies.
    
    Hmmmmmmmmm 
    
    2 cup finals in 2 years ?
    
    Not many Ayrshire Teams can boast about that eh ?
    
    :-)   :-)
    
    Kev...

    
    
     I see Ally McLeod slagging off the ref and linesman for last nights
    game. He has my complete sympathy. Ally Graham should have walked after
    kicking the Queens player, Ayr's winner was a good 3 yards offside. How
    the linesman didn't flag is beyond me. Credit to QOS for coming to play
    attacking football. They deserved to win the match. We were a disgrace,
    even worse than Saturday. The sooner we get a good solid centre-half,
    the better. Our defence was all over the place last night, no cohesion
    whatsoever.
    
     Things are not looking good for Saturday. Gardner, Bryce and Shaw all
    picked up knocks last night and could be struggling to make Saturday's
    game. With half the current first team squad injured, we could be
    fielding a very young team against Raith.
    
     Back to last night, Auld, Hood, Fraser and Shaw were utter crap, the
    rest apart from Agnew and possibly Furphy were just crap. Sad days
    indeed!
    
       Danny...

    While you lot were probably watching TV last night, I was running the
    rule over the reserves against Rangers at Somerset. A fair performance
    had the boys drawing 2-2 with about 9 or 10 mins left before Spencer
    scored his 2nd,3rd and 4th of the night to put a rather flattering
    scoreline of 5-2 on the board. 
    
    Best performances came from a trialist centre-half called Nigel
    something from Morecambe and McTurk (as usual). The trialist sweeper
    also from Morecambe had a reasonable game and probably both will be
    asked back. Nigel Something capped his fine display with Ayr's second
    goal, scoring with a header from a McTurk corner.
    
    
    Kev....  

    I see that we have broke the bank again and signed another household
    name.Where Mr Burley dug this one from I don't know,I only hope
    that he can play as the Baghdad boys are having a field day on this
    one,especially since most United fans were speculating names like
    John Philliben,Stuart Burgess,Alex Kennedy etc.The only consolation
    is that saturday's will never be dull as long as we hear the chants
    of there's only one NIGEL Howard!!!!
                        

    I think it's a bit unfair to slag off signing Big Nige. As probably the
    only person to have seen both his outings in an Ayr strip, I am more
    than impressed. He spent 3 years at Ibrox before returning to Lancaster
    (I thought it was Morecambe, honest !) so he knows the ropes. If the 
    Baghdad Boys are getting at you , ask them why they have spent so much
    money on such a shower of crap and are still not taking up their
    "rightful place" in the Premier League. If Burley had the money that
    the Flops have, Ayr would have signed better players and would be at
    the top of the league , not midtable, so let's keep things in
    perspective.
    
    As to the game on Saturday. Probably the most pleasing aspect was the
    fact that we did not concede a goal. Raith have been banging them in
    recently and Ayr have been losing stupid goals ,so it was nice to see
    a new defence play so well. If you read the Sunday Papers, you would
    get the impression Ayr were not in it, but that's being a wee bit harsh
    as Duncan had one save to make in each half and three shots went over
    the bar whereas Arthur was forced to make about three saves , all in
    the second half. (Mind you , we did not get a corner until 60 minutes
    had elapsed) Traynor had a good game and looks solid, as did big Nige
    (he has to get a nick-name, and soon !) and although McTurk was subbed
    at half-time, he had not played badly. Bryce, George and Kennedy were
    poor in the midfield with too many passes going astray and the service
    to the front men left them little to work on. Smith had a good match
    playing deep at right midfield. MoM award goes to numbers 2,3,4 and 5
    for shoring up a defence that's been letting in more goals than anyone
    else in the league, away from home that is.
    
    Accies reserves at the hallowed ground tonight. See you there ?
    
    Kev...

    Sorry Kev but i have to reply to this one,we all know that Mr Fleeting
    has bought alot of crap players but he has also bought a few good
    ones,i.e Patterson,Burns,Williamson and Mitchell.At least the club can
    attract some big name players to Rugby Park,more than can be said for
    Ayr.Remember Ayr did turn down Mr Murray's financial backing so it is
    entirely the club's own fault that Mr Burley hasn't got the money to
    attract better players to the ground,and get into the Premier League.As
    for Killie i am confident that we will be in the Premier League at the
    end of the season,you may slag Killie but at the end of the day i would
    rather being in Killie's position than Ayr's .At least we have a board
    who are willing to have a go at being succesfull,Ayr have a board who
    seem to want the opposite.

    It has been announced that the B+Q Cup Final will be all ticket
    on the recommendation of the police.I think that this could affect
    the crowd for the match as I don't see many fans who normally don't
    go to the games making the effort to obtain tickets.I cannot understand
    why the police want it all ticket as there is no way that it will
    be a sell-out,although I would have expected a crowd of 9,000 or
    so.

    Fleeting has made five players available for transfer. This shows the
    excess in the Killie squad. The players concerned are
    Callaghan,McStay,McQuilter,Elliot and Porteous. 
    
     I hope that Burley has the money to buy the last two as they are good
    players who have not had a fair run in the Killie team.
    
    
    ...Bean

    RE. -1
    I take it that you've only seen Elliott play in the 3-1 Killie Ayr game
    last year. These days he'd be last picked for a game of fives in Dam
    Park.
    
    IMHO Willie Mcstay might not be a bad buy to bolster your defence
    though.
    
    Andy. 

    Stirling Albion 0-0 Ayr United
    
    Another disappointing game goes by and we have not scored on a Saturday
    for 4 weeks.  Very little to report on the game which was watched by
    about 1000 fans. About 300-400 from Ayr which beats the massive total
    of 218 which we mustered for last weeks visit to the dregs ground in
    dregland, sorry Kirkcaldy. Albion had the better of a dour first half
    but the only moment of note was a header from Moore which hit the Ayr
    crossbar and bounced out to be cleared. Big Nige then squashed Fat
    Willie Watters into the plastic pitch and he had to be dragged off as
    the stretcher bearers could not carry him. Ayr dominated the second
    half but failed to find the net with any of the chances they created.
    Ayr now have only one more game left on plastic and I'm glad. It's a
    crappy surface and one which gives a definite advantage to the home
    team. Players can't control the ball when it's bouncing, it runs away
    from them in passes and the only good point is it's always playable
    
    Accies on Tuesday in a rehearsal for the Cup Final 
    
    Kev.....

    Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse... 
    
    It did.
    
    Last night's debacle is best forgotten, but for them that were not
    there, (Delboy and Beany) here is a brief resume.
    
    I knew the minute I saw the name WADDELL as ref in the programme that
    the game would be crap. It was. Hamilton played their usual competent
    but extremely boring (but effective !) style of football. i.e play the
    ball back to your keeper at least 20 times each half and hit on the
    break, most often from a kick-out. Ayr had the best chance first when
    Dobbin Graham was through with only the keeper to beat and shot weakly
    at him from 18 yards. The keeper's kickout was flicked on in midfield
    to Gary Clark who I must say was in a rather obviously offside position
    at the time, however, he ignored Ayr's protests and ran on to smash the
    ball high past Duncan for the opener after 29 minutes. If only Dobbin
    had scored it might have been different. Ayr pushed for the rest of the
    first half but Hamilton easily soaked up all the pressure and never
    looked in serious trouble. Shaw came on for Evans at half-time and
    nearly scored early on when he was through on the keeper only to see
    McCulloch smother his shot easily. Ayr continued to press but were
    continually frustrated by Hamilton's pass backs. The sooner FIFA bring
    in the new rules about pass backs the better for any team playing
    against the Accies. Waddell lived up to his reputation on the hour mark
    when he missed a blatant hand-ball in the Hamilton box as Millen
    punched the ball into the keeper's arms, quite unbelievable !  There
    was another couple of incidents which may have resulted in penalties
    but it was looking more and more like another defeat. This was
    confirmed with 4 minutes left when Harris ran down the left, cut inside
    and fired in a shot which Duncan could only parry and Clark netted the
    rebound from about 5 yards. All in all, a right good gubbing and an
    object lesson in how to play football. Ayr have never really managed to
    get it right against Hamilton and I can't remember the last time we
    actually beat them in a league game.
    
    I think we'll get gubbed in the final as well , in fact, I don't think
    we'll even score. There, how's that for confidence ?
    
    Only piece of good news is that Dizzy Gillespie has joined the Donkey
    Sanctuary in Dumfries for free.
    
    The Unhappy One...... 

    
    
     The dismal run continues. 2 wins, 2 draws and 6 defeats in our last 10
    league games. Not very inspiring stuff. To make matters worse, we've
    only scored in 1 of our last 6 games.
    
     Last night was very poor. Ally Graham missed when through against the
    keeper, Hamilton then went upfield and scored the opener (although it
    was a good yard offside). After that it was the same old story.
    Hamilton defended, wasted time and generally tried to kill the game.
    Ayr missed a couple of chances, Hamilton counter-attacked and it was
    2-0. 
    
     Midfield was non-existant last night. As a result we resorted to the
    big punt upfield which got us nowhere. Bryce, Evans, Kennedy and Graham
    were crap and need to be replaced. The worry is there's no-one
    available just now due to injuries.
    
    
    ps 
    
     I can picture the B&Q final. Hamilton score early on, then waste as
    much time as possible before scoring a late 2nd. Something similar to
    last night!
    
     Danny...

    At last !
    
    It's Monday so it's time for my usual rantings after the match.
    
    The 440 people in Meadowbank Stadium were not rewarded for their
    loyalty in turning up. A terrible surface made skilful play a rarity
    and both midfields were slipping and sliding about in the mud. Ayr
    introduced Peter Weir for his first match in 7 months and although he
    played well, it will take a few more games before he reaches anything
    like fitness. Ayr had the early chances but Shaggy decided because he
    had No 9 on his back he would play like Dobbin Graham and missed on
    several occasions. Thistle played Grant as a striker and he caused
    plenty of problems for Furphy who did not win one ball in the air in
    the first half. Grant was probably more dangerous than the normal
    Thistle strikers and looks like he could play there again. After
    starting poorly, Smith came into the game and from one of his shots
    from 20 yards the ball rebounded from the bar to Bryce who calmly fired
    home at the near post. Ayr had several other chances to increase their
    lead before and after half-time but were made to suffer when Cammy
    Duncan was stretchered off after a bad collision between him, Howard
    and a wee nyaff called Little, who appeared to go over the ball.  If
    you listened to Radio Scotland it was a head injury, but to me it
    looked like his left leg that got the worst of it. At this point (59m)
    Traynor , Howard and Duncan were all getting treatment, and it looked
    like we would be left with 8 players. However, Davie Kennedy fulfilled
    his ambition and pulled on the Goalie jersey for the first time. By my
    reckoning, he has played with every number except 9 on his back, quite
    a record. His first task was to defend a corner and although he did not
    actually get to it, the ball spun out for a goal-kick. Even then Ayr
    had chances to win the game and players like Gardner,Shaw and Bryce
    must do better when in front of goal. On the 79 min mark Thistle won a
    corner and Kennedy met it brilliantly to punch well clear. The ball was
    played in again and Kennedy cleared the resulting header out for a
    corner again. It was at this point that the BITB decided that the only
    way Meadowbank would score would be a penalty and he duly awarded them
    one.No-one in the ground claimed for it and none of the players could
    understand why it was given. Kennedy was spoken to , for dissent
    perhaps ,but not booked and Roseburgh scored from the spot. The ref had
    to go to the dugout and speak to Roberts and Burley who were furious
    and tell them why it was given. I reckon if you looked up
    "ILLEGITIMATE" in the dictionary, there would be a photograph of Jim
    Renton of Cowdenbeath in his refs gear.
    
    The game fizzled out after that and the final whistle brought cheers
    from the Ayr support for a terrific performance by the defence who
    played so well in the last 30 mins that Kennedy did not have a save to
    make. (BTW he almost saved the penalty) and boos for Renton who left
    the field to shouts of "Cheat".
    
    It's time Meadowbank were back where they belong. Division 2 . They
    have a terrible stadium to watch football in , a crap surface to play
    it on and a support which is as weird as a bottle of bananas, that would
    fit quite comfortably in the back seat of a Metro. Long may their run
    of bad results continue.
    
    Gets off soapbox and hits CTRL/Z......
    
    
    Kev....     

    
    Last night's reserve game saw the return of Cally for 90 mins and
    Burley for the second half of a good win over Stenhousemuir. Goals by
    McTurk (2), Auld and the trialist striker who also hit 2 gave Ayr an
    easy 5-2 win although it could have been different had Mickey Robertson
    not had a superb game in nets.
    
    It seems Cammy has badly damaged ankle ligamentsand will be in hospital
    for about another 5 days yet.
    
    Forfar away tonight. Sob Sob . I'll miss my first match, home or away
    for a year. If anyone is going, get a report in here tomorrow.
    
    Kev...

    
    A very valuable two points gained last night at Forfar. From newspaper
    reports it appears to have been mostly Ayr and it took Forfar over half
    an hour to even force a corner. On the 60 minute mark Ayr were awarded
    a penalty when Walker was pulled down in the box but Thomson turned
    Bryce's spot kick out for a corner. From the corner, Bryce netted after
    a goalmouth scramble, with the ball going in off the bar.
    
    Moved up to 5th place last night.  Montrose at the hallowed ground on
    Saturday. Should be 2 more points, but then again.......
    
    Kev..

    Ayr team was :-
    
    
    
                                Purdie
             Traynor                                   Agnew
                                Furphy
                                Howard
    
          Smith         Gardner        Kennedy             Bryce 
    
                        Walker         Graham
    
    
    Walker was supposed to have had a good match. Hopefully he will play on
    Saturday.
    
    
    ... Bean
    

Re Note .102
    I think that you will find that Weir played from the start against
    Forfar and that Smith was on the bench along with Shaw.

    You are correct Lawrence. Weir started the game and Smith was a sub.
    
     Cammy is in hospital and could be out for up to six weeks.
    
    
    ... Bean

    
    Saturday's performance again left a lot to be desired. Although we won
    in the end the standard of football played was atrocious and the
    entertainment value was zero. Things will have to improve considerably
    if we are to beat Hamilton on Sunday.
    
    The only good points to come out of the game was the performance of
    the defence which looked very solid and the performance of Tommy
    Walker (his work rate was excellent). It was also good to see Paul
    McLean back as I feel we've missed his "dig" in midfield. 
    
    Dobbin was again crap as was Lee Gardner. These two don't looked 
    interested and it's about time they got their finger out and started
    working as hard as the rest of the team.
    
    According to the "Stage 1" chappies the team that plays tomorrow
    against Morton will be the team that plays on Sunday with the exception
    of John Traynor (cup tied) and possibly Gary Agnew who is only one 
    booking away from suspension. Burley will play from the start as will
    Duncan George.
    
    It is important to beat Morton tomorrow night, not only to keep up with
    the leading pack but also to boost the confidence for the final.
    Hopefully the performance will improve and we can bag another 2pts.
    
    ...Derek

    
    
     Let's have your cup-final team selections.
    
    
                                 Purdie
    
         Agnew           Furphy          Howard          McLean
                                                   (please not the chicken)
          Bryce           George         Gardner         Weir
    
                         Walker         Dobbin
    
     subs from  Shaw, Smith, Evans, Chicken.
    
      Saturday was one of the worst for a long time. We never created much
    up front and it always looked as if a penalty would be the way through.
    
      Dobbin isn't having a good spell just now. I think he's in the team
    more as a nuisance factor. He's a big striker who upsets defenders. He
    may not be everyone's favourite but he was involved in both goals on
    Saturday so he's obviously doing something right.
    
      Danny...
          

    
    Cup-Final Team:
    
                        Purdie
    
          Burley    Furphy    Howard    Agnew 
               
              McLean    Gardner    George
    
                        Bryce
                Walker         Dobbin
    
    
     Subs: Weir,Shaw    
    
     No place for Smith,Kennedy or Evans.

    A good win last night. Where did Dobbin learn these new tricks !
    
    
    Anyway, Purdie, Howard and George are all doubtful for Sunday.
    
    Who could we get on loan if we need a goalie. 
     
    
    
    ..... Stevie

    
    Ayr United 3-2 Morton
    
    A good win last night against a team who appear to be struggling at the
    moment. Morton however, started better than Ayr and the combination of
    Mathie and McCabe caused Ayr's defence lots of problems in the first
    half. Mathie should have done better when clean through on goal but
    Purdie brought off a magnificent save at his feet. Ayr failed to take a 
    golden opportunity when , after a corner, Wylie was posted missing
    (again) and the ball dropped at Bryce's feet but he was crowded out
    before he could get a shot in. Morton raced out out of defence and a
    long ball found McCabe who bore down on goal. Purdie raced out to
    tackle and the ball broke to Mathie who fired into the empty net.
    1-0 half-time.  
    
    Ayr started the second half in whirlwind fashion and forced Morton
    back for long periods. The breakthrough came in 58 mins when Walker was
    on hand to touch home a Graham knockdown. Further chances were
    squandered before Graham again got on the end of a Traynor cross to
    dive and head a glorious goal to put the finalists in front. 5 minutes
    later, it was 3 - 1. Shaw capitalised on a mistake on the halfway line
    to stride forward. Reaching the byeline, he cut the ball back perfectly
    for Super Ally G to blast home a volley from 15 yards, low into the
    corner of the net. 7 minutes later, the Morton sub Deeney got on the
    end of a free-kick and his flick deceived the injured Purdie to put a
    rather false reflection on the scoreline. 
    
    BTW . Can any of you Morton boys tell me if the training at  Cappielow
    involves raw meat ?  Pickering, Doak, McInnes and Fowler (well named)
    all laid the boot in with monotonous regularity and if the ref had been 
    a man and not a wee powder-puff, there might have been a few less
    Yellow jerseys on the park come the final whistle. McInnes was very
    lucky to escape an early bath when he just failed to connect with Tommy
    Bryce after a lunging two-footed attempted assault.
    
    Kev...

    
    re. last
    
    "Super" is not the adjective I'd use to describe Dobbin.
    
    "Lazy","crap","shite" yes but certainly not super.
    
    Last night he got lucky. I'd still hunt him.
    
    ...Derek

    Derek,although I agree with most of your comments about Dobbin,I
    would like to point out that 12 strikes by early December puts him
    up there with Eadie,Dalziel,and Shaw (Not a bad average!!!) and
    remember the strikes at Dens in the Skol Cup and also St Johnstone
    in the Skol,and also Forfar in the league.Luck surely not!!!!!!!!!
                          Sal
    

    re .111
    
    Delboy,
    
    If you remember correctly, it was me who christened him "Dobbin" in .97
    and also described him as a cross between Desert Orchid and Robocop 
    when we signed him . He was good (not lucky) last night but he's 
    been crap before and he'll be crap again . All I'm saying is give the
    guy some credit where it is due. If it had not been for Walker touching
    in a header on the goal-line, he would have had a superb second-half
    hat-trick, everyone of them a cracker.
    
    Perhaps if we merged the workrate of Walker with SUPER Ally's ability
    (which he has but uses infrequently) we might have a devastating
    forward.
    
    Here's hoping Purdie , Howard , George and Agnew are all fit for the
    Final and that the entire Hamilton team are sent off tonight playing
    against MTFC.
    
    Kev...

    
    
     Derek, as I said in an earlier note, the real SUPER ALLY (without the
    video..) is a very hard player for any defence to play against.
    Granted, his work rate may not be that great but he does create a lot
    of hassle for the opposition and is involved in a good percentage of
    the goals that we score. 
    
     As a previous note said, play Ally alongside Tommy Walker and I'm
    quite sure we'll get a few more goals (starting on Sunday)
    
    ps Any update on the injury situation? I thought Agnew was being rested
    as he was 1 booking off a suspension. George wasn't being risked for
    last night so he's probably ready for Sunday.
    
     Danny...

    
    Chaps,
            I agree with everything that has been said in the last three 
    replies regarding Dobbin. He has scored some very good goals this
    season and he is also a handful for *SOME* defences to handle. In
    saying that, he is also the laziest player I have seen at Somerset in
    recent years and that includes the lazy wee F***** that now plays with
    QOS.
         In my opinion, not only is he lazy, but he continually moans and
    whinges when things are not going well. He never gives 100% and is
    always ready to blame someone else when a move breaks down. Have you
    ever seen him "chasing back" after he has lost the ball or been caught
    in possession ? He could certainly learn from Tommy Walker in this
    department.
     I agree he is probably our best forward and as a target man is as good
    as anyone in the First Division. What annoys me about Ally Graham is the 
    fact that he could be a far *BETTER* player if his attitude changed. If 
    his work rate improved and he stopped his continual moaning he could be 
    the best striker in the 1st Div. 
     The potential is there but the determination to improve isn't. That's why 
    I get continually pissed off with his performances. 
    
    ...Derek

    Re .110

    	Kev,
    	  Good report. I was surprised to see that Ayr only managed to
    score 3 goals (bumpers by all accounts, too) against what must surely
    be the worst defence in world professional football. What a record in
    recent weeks, one point from a possible 14 which started with us being
    joint top of the league. Sickened? don't talk to me about it.
    	About the animals you mentioned, Doak is an idiot, Pickering hasn't
    got enough of a brain to be an idiot and Fowler has always been a fug.
    McInnes I am surprised about though. I can only assume that this is
    part of his "toughening up" that he hasn't really understood very well.
    I for one have never been in any doubt that he has great footballing
    talent but never been able to "mix it" with the less subtle midfield
    players of the first division (a la Hugh Burns?). I would hope that
    he'll be taken aside and told in no uncertain terms that trying to
    break somebody's leg(s) is just not on.
    	Hope that all you boys have an extremely enjoyable Sunday, I'll
    look forward to reading all the "YA BEAUTY"'s next week.
    		
    				Cheers,
    				   John A.

    
    Chaps,
    
    Is the PMT mounting yet ?
    
    As with most supporters of successful teams I'm finding it increasingly
    harder to get excited (ooh arr!!). Cup finals are just becoming to much
    of a habit.:-)
    
    Any predictions for Sunday ?
    
    I'll go for a 2-1 win. 
    
    ...Derek    
    
     
     

    
    
     What's up chaps, I expected a few cup final post mortems in here by
    now.
    
     Sunday was another let down for the large Ayr support who travelled
    through to Motherwell. Ayr were utter crap and could have played all
    week without scoring. For 90 minutes they resorted to the big punt
    upfield and not once did they look like scoring. There wasn't a player
    in the team who could hold the ball and try and play some football on
    the deck.
    
     Burley must now look at several of the players and think seriously
    about replacing them. Bryce, Gardner, Kennedy, Howard and Smith should
    be dropped and some changes made before Saturday's game with Thistle
    which we have to win to stay close to the leading pack.
    
     Ayr's MOM  --  Gary Agnew. The rest hardly get pass marks.
    
     The best part of the day on Sunday was the pre-match entertainment in
    the Miner's Welfare club. It was a pity we had to leave and watch the
    worst game of football seen for a long time.
    
     Danny...

    Furphy must go before Howard on Sunday's performance
    
    
    ...Bean

    Well chaps Tom Dunlop from Stage 2 hit us with the rumour yesterday
    that Airdrie had offered 200,000 for Ally Graham,well anybody who
    knows Tom will tell you that his rumours are usually way out and
    usually pure fabrication,however last night I was told by a friend
    who is a workmate of Lee Gardner's father that Tom's rumour is
    actually true although the deal being offered is Steve Gray plus
    money.I don't know what money would be involved but I have been
    assured that Airdrie have made an offer and that it is under
    consideration by Ayr.What is your views on this one lad's,should
    we sell? I know that there is always countless rumours going on
    regarding transfers but I do feel that something has got to be done
    to strengthen the squad whether it is by selling Graham or Shaw.
                                            
                         Cheers

    RE-121
    LAWRENCE I HAD A DRINK WITH IAIN FERGUSON OF THE DAILY RECORD AFTER THE
    KILLIE V STIRLING GAME LAST SATURDAY, HE TOLD ME THAT ALLY GRAHAM WOULD
    PLAY IS LAST GAME FOR AYR UNITED LAST SUNDAY IN THE B&Q CUP FINAL. THE
    FEE HE MENTIONED WAS 200,000  POUNDS AND THE CLUB INVOLVED WAS AIRDRIE
    HE DID NOT MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT STEVE GRAY, BUT THIS IS A POSSIBILTY
    AS THE BOY IS LOCAL AND IS READY FOR A MOVE FROM AIRDRIE. 

    
    
     If this is true then there is no way Burley is going to turn down 200k
    for Ally Graham. As much as I like Graham playing up front, Burley has
    to strengthen the team all round and as he has no money to spend just
    now, he'll surely take the cash.
    
     Most first division teams are now wise to Ally's style of play. They
    only need to put a big strong marker on him and our options are
    severely reduced.
    
     Danny...

    
    
    200K for Dobbin, you must be kidding ?! As most of you know I don't 
    rate the big lump of sh*** to highly. 20k would be nearer the mark. 
    
    ...Derek

    Watch out  .....
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
           Beadle's about ...
    
    
    200k my ass
    
    ...Bean
    

    
    There seems to be a difference of opinion about Dobbin's abilities in 
    this topic. 
    
    Starting from the beginning of this month and continuing 'till the end of 
    the season I'm going to award him marks out of 10 for performance over
    90 mins.
    
    So far I see it like this :
    
    Tue 3rd v Morton   - crap for 60 mins, ok for 30  = 3 out of 10
    Sun 8th v Hamilton - crap for 90 mins             = 0 out of 10
    Sat 14th v Partick - crap for 90 mins             = 0 out of 10
    
    total so far 3 out of 30.
    
    With 20 league games left what's the chance of him breaking into
    double figures ????
    
    ...Derek

    Delboy,
    
    
    	With the exception of Gary Agnew and perhaps Furpherino you could
    apply your marks out of ten to the whole team.
    
    Super Ally must stay !!!!
    
    
    So must Stevie Evans !!!!!!!!
    
    
    Steep

    Steep,
    	Speaking as one who has witnessed Evans last few performances in
    the reserves, I don't think there will be a place made for him in the
    first team. Although he actually managed to score last week at Stair
    Park, his overall contribution to games has been nothing short of very
    little. On the plus side, Duncan George made his return last night in 
    a reserve match at home against Albion Rovers. Rovers fielded 8
    trialists as they also had a match at Rugby park last night (great
    planning by the SFA, huh ?) and were forced to play an outfield player
    in nets. The guy had played there before but still did not look to sure
    and was beaten 3 times, twice by McTurk (different class) and once by
    Cally. Fraser also returned last night but was subbed at half-time
    after a dreadful tackle by Gallacher of Rovers. Final Score 3-1.
    
    On Saturday's game. I thought Ayr played well for about 50 mins and had
    a poor Thistle Team under severe pressure (almost as much as our 5's
    team had against your team Del-boy :-)  ) before a fluke goal by Irons
    with an assist from Howard put the Maryhill Muppets 1-0 up. A dreadful
    goal to lose put the Jags 2-0 up and Ayr were left chasing their tails
    for 20 mins. Purdie should be shot for letting the ball bounce in front
    of him before watching it roll into the net behind him. The ref again
    had a nightmare. Willie Young from Clarkston (born in Prestwick
    actually) was voted worst referee by the reader of Killie Ken so it's
    not just us that think he is crap. The only thing he did right was to
    book that diving little scumbag McGlashan for a deliberate dive and an
    attempt to get Furphy sent off for a professional foul. If only more
    refs could see through the antics of players like him the Scottish game
    would be far better off. I hope the next time he tries a dive like
    that, he seriously injures himself and as he is being stretchered off,
    is given a red card. Might stop him the next time.
    
    Rumours abound at Somerset about Loudon stepping down and also about
    David Murray's wife buying Myles Callaghan's shares, (This appears to
    be true !!)
    
    Off to Dundee on Saturday, is anyone else, or are you all going Xmas
    shopping with your beloved ones   :-)
    
    
    Kev....

    Happy new year to all Ayr fans
    
    
    ... Bean

    
    
     Happy New Year folks.
    
     A good performance on Wednesday in the new year derby against
    Kilmarnock resulting in a 1-1 draw. Killie had the better chances but I
    thought Ayr played very well until the last 10 when Killie finished a
    bit stronger. Everyone played their part but Purdie, Kennedy (!),
    Traynor and George get extra marks. Nice to see Garry Agnew scoring a
    cracker against his old club. (Fleeting must be daft to pay 70k for Tom
    Black and yet give Agnew a free transfer).
    
     After taking a point from Raith last week and wednesday's point,
    hopefully we can take 2 from Stirling tomorrow at Somerset. However, we
    all know what happened last time round. I'll go for 3-0 Ayr!!!!!
    
     On a sadder note, Ian McAllister has been forced to announce his
    retirement from football due to a serious knee injury. Cally has been
    at Somerset since 1977 and was a stalwart at centre-half for many
    years. We wish him well.
    
     Danny...

    
    
     What a disaster on Saturday. After playing so well in recent weeks,
    Purdie was back to his old routine of loosing daft goals. The first one
    was really shocking, letting a weak shot through his legs. The second
    was a misunderstanding between Traynor and Purdie. 
    
     After loosing the second goal, Ayr totally dominated the game in terms
    of possession but bad finishing, very good goalkeeping and not a lot of
    luck restricted us to a consolation goal in the last minute.
    
     Stirling have now taken 5 points out of 6 off us this season. If it
    was the other way round, we would be sitting in 3rd place. As it is,
    our league season is nearly over as far as maintaining a challenge is
    concerned unless we take 4 points away to Dundee tomorrow and Hamilton
    on Saturday. I don't really think so.
    
     Not a bad draw in the cup, Motherwell are struggling this season only
    averaging a goal a game in the league. Hopefully we can find some of
    our early season form and who knows what could happen.
    
     Danny...

    Another defeat at the hands of our bogey team. I'm getting rather fed
    up following Ayr to Hamilton , knowing their either going to lose
    heavily (4-0, 3-1) in the last couple of years) or lose narrowly , like
    Saturday. After recovering from losing an early goal, Ayr equalised
    through Bryce who slammed the ball in via the bar from about 12 yards.
    The game appeared to be fizzling out when a through ball from Napier
    found McCluskey all on his own (Howard should have been marking him)
    and he had plenty of time to round Purdie and fire home from a very
    acute angle via Davie Kennedy. All this with less than 60 seconds to
    go. Rather sickening, dontcha think ?
    
    A rather more worrying note is that Burley has still not moved for a
    goalie. If Purdie gets injured (and believe me, if i meet him in a dark
    alley sometime, he'll be injured) we're left with a 17 year-old Youth
    team goalie who is playing for the reserves at the moment. I think we
    should approach Ally Maxwell and get him on-loan till the end of the
    season. The guy is on the dole and would probably welcome the match
    practice, and we would welcome having a goalie for a change. 
    
    Celtic reserves at Somerset tonight.......should be fun 
    
    Kev...

    
    kev
      let us know how graeme mcvie plays
    
    ps
       rumour has it thet burley bought mcvie because gaz agnew is going
    to hearts
    

    Finlay,
    
    Graeme McVie did not even get a game ! He was warming up with the first
    team squad at Hamilton on Saturday and I thought he was a certainty for
    a run last night but Burley sent out the following team;
    
    Trialist (Derek Atkins ex-Clyde),Burley (!),Vincent,Hood,Allan,Traynor,
    Trialist (Chris Ireland ?),Smith,Shaw,Trialist (?),Evans. Subs were
    Auld and McCallion.
    
    Ayr lost a goal early on when Atkins failed to hold a shot from Hayes
    and Britton followed up to tap in. Ayr equalised in the 46th minute
    when Smith headed in at the back post after a Shaw flick on. With 10
    minutes left Shaw fired low past McLean to put Ayr ahead but 5 mins
    later Martin Hayes flicked over the keeper and tapped in for an
    equaliser. A good result for Ayr against a strong Celtic side included
    in which were McCahill,Galloway,Britton,McCarrison and Hayes. Most
    impressive for Ayr were Burley, Traynor and the Keeper. Celtic's most
    outstanding player was Mike Galloway, but only because he managed to
    stay on the park for 90 mins.
    
    Kev...

    Another poor performance from Ayr on Saturday. After controlling most
    of the first half and missing a couple of chances, they let Montrose
    back into the game and , in the end, were lucky to escape with a
    point. Twice in the last 15 mins , Ayr had to clear off the line and
    the tall Montrose attackers caused the defence all sorts of problems at
    corners etc.  Burley was a sub but did not play. McLean , Evans and
    especially Dobbin were absolutely terrible. With about 5 minutes to go
    Graham was easily disposessed on the edge of the area and instead of
    chasing the defender, he just stood there looking like the big idiot he
    is. At this point, I decided to give him a bit of stick for being lazy. 
    As there was only 718 people at the game, he heard every word loud and
    clear and responded as I thought he would....
    
    He indicated that i perhaps indulged in some form of self-abuse....
    
    He's got a damn cheek. It's the supporters that are paying his wages
    and he should at least try and repay them with bit of effort. 
    
    Clyde reserves at Somerset tonight.
    
    Burley and McVie should play.
    
    Kev...

    Ayr 1-1 Clyde.
    
    A match Ayr totally dominated and should have won by about 3 or 4 goals
    but a combination of bad finishing and desperate defending restricted
    Ayr to a Shaw goal. With ten mins left, Greg Hood fell over the ball
    when attempting a passback and Watson scored easily for the Gypsy
    Scumbags.  Team: Atkins,Burley,Vincent,Hood,Auld,Trialist(?),Trialist
    (a wee Englishman called Jamie who is a free from Notts Forest/County
    and looked like a good winger),Smith,Shaw,Agnew,Evans. Subs McLean and
    Moran.
    
    I would expect the wee English chappie to get another run as he was
    about the best man on the park and had an excellent second-half.
    
    Kev...

    
    Well chaps whats the chances of us springing a wee surprise tomorrow ?
    
    With our water-tight defence up against such talentless forwards as
    Cooper,Arnott and Ferguson I can't see there being much of a problem
    :-)
    
    On second thoughts I think we'll get humped.
    
    The only comforting thought is that come 17:40 tomorrow not only will
    our season be finished but so will Killies
    
    Derzo.
                   
    

    
    A fighting perfomance from the boys and in the end we deserved
    a replay. Both sides missed good chances in what was an entertaining
    game. Hopefully the replay will be just as close although Fir Park
    has not been a lucky ground for Ayr in recent seasons !! 
                        
    In the Mail today it states that all previous Cup games between Ayr 
    and Motherwell have went to replays with Motherwell winning through
    each time. Hopefully we can change that statistic although now that
    Motherwell know what to expect I think they'll be too strong for
    us. 
    
    It was good to see Burley back and although his distribution was poor
    I thought he played well. 
    
    Derzo. 
      
     

    Hi Boys,
          I made it back on Saturday to see the Bankies game , not bad at
    all ,what a differance Burley makes on the park, I just hope his run in the 
    team is going to be a long one .Just think where we might have been in
    the league if all the part-time fans hadnt chassed him out the team.
          Man of the match on Saturday was between George or Howard ,but 
    they all battled well bar one big lazzy puddin who will remain
    nameless.
          Just 8 points off second place,what a pity we dont have a board 
    because like we all said two skillfull players in the 50K bracket
    would have just about done it.
    
               
                        BRING ON THE WEll.....
     
    
    
                   See you all on Saturday
                         SAL
    
    

    I thought we were lucky to beat Clydebank. Harvey had a superb game in
    midfield and really the bankies had little luck in front of goal. John
    Traynor gave the strikers a lesson in how to take chances. 4 shots at
    goal and 3 goals. Why can't the rest of the team stick the ball away
    first time instead of trying to walk it into the net ? With the score
    at 2-1, Purdie had a brainstorm and decided to take the ball for a long
    walk. Result ? An indirect freekick for too many steps. 11 Ayr men
    along the goal line and luckily, the ball was cleared, no thanks to
    Scissorhands. Burley seems to confuse the defence sometimes and other
    times he is there to make saving tackles. His passing in the first half
    was absolutely terrible,but got better in the second. I would give MoM
    to Howard for a good display against that dirty,diving cheating scumbag
    Eadie. Although Ally G did not play as well as against Motherwell, he
    was being fouled almost every time he went for the ball and Walker was
    also given a rough time by Rowe. Rowe and McIntosh (no 5) were both
    lucky to stay on the park.
    
    East Stirlingshire reserves tonight and then some Lanarkshire team
    tomorrow night.
    
    See you there ?
    
    Kev...

    
    re .139
    
    Sal me auld f***hound I liked your little intrusion in the maggot
    note. They seem a little sensitive at the moment so I'd tread
    carefully, we wouldn't want to upset them too much :-)
    
    
    ps. They'll be plenty of time next season to do that !!    
      
    Derzo.

    Anyone at Fir Park last night ?If so could you give me an update on
    the match ,crowd and performance.
    
    
    
              cheers Sal............

    
    
    This is indeed a revelation.  The town of Ayr has 0% unemployment?
    Looks like AUFC have as much football ability as its fans have taste.
    
    And the Motherwell players certainly made a fine JOB of dumping Ayr out
    of the cup.
    
    
    
    Michael
    

    Touchy touchy Mick. A wee bit of home town pride ? Nothing wrong with
    that.
    
    I somehow think it's neither the first nor last time that sort of thing
    will be heard at Fir Park.
     
    I did say it was tasteless.
    
    Just like your cheap jibes at Ayr United's footballing ability :-)
    
    Kev...

    
    
     Ayr were well(!) beaten last night due to, as Kev said, some bad
    defending in the first half. Motherwell were far quicker in the middle
    of the park and their movement upfront left Ayr's defence struggling at
    times. However, a big improvement in the second half saw Ayr score a
    very good goal and were a bit unfortunate on other occassions which the
    highlights on BBC didn't show.
    
     I find it hard to understand why Smith started the game last night. I
    think his last game was against Hamilton in the B&Q cup in November. He
    did nothing last night and must surely be on his way back south. Once
    he was replaced by Shaw, we looked a lot better going forward. Traynor
    was totally lost in midfield, Kennedy struggled throughout but gave
    100% as usual. Howard continues to improve at the back, his
    distribution is getting better every game.
    
     With regards to the "sick" chants made by SOME Ayr fans, these sort of
    chants are made at every football ground in the country, have been for
    years and no doubt will continue to be made for years to come. I
    personally found it rather amusing, but then again I don't take a game
    of football as seriously as others. Our team were getting gubbed, we
    were getting soaked, we had spent a few bob getting to the game, hey
    whats a bit of fun!!!!
    
     On another note, I had a very enjoyable journey home (yes even after a
    4-1 gubbing). This was due to West Sound reporting on the penalty shoot
    out at Bugme Park. Quote Nick Larkin, that well known Kille supporter,
    as Tommy Burns moved forward to take the crucial last penalty.
    
       "If there's one player you would put your mortgage on to score from
    a penalty it's Tommy Burns."
    
     Seconds later  "And the keepers saved it" 
    
  
         Danny...

    
    Wither it's in bad taste or not I don't give a toss !
    
    The highlight of the night was the singing of :
    
    "what's it like to have nae job !"
    
    to the tune of "what's it like to follow shite"
    
    Excellent stuff !!
    
    Nearly as enjoyable as TB's excellently taken penalty !
    
    Derzo.

    re-1
    
    "the highlight of the night for me was the singing"
    
     Your obviously easily amused,but following a team like Ayr,you,ll
     be used to it..afterall you's get gubbed more times than you win,so
     you have to do somthing to amuse yourselves.
    
     Colin (SQF Jambo)

                                           
    Who invited you into the Ayr topic sonny ?? Keeping away from the
    Rangers note after yer wee greetie moan about cheats are we.
    
    Q. What's Ayr and Hearts got in common ?
    
    A. They'll both win f*** all this season.
    
    At least one of the Edinburgh sides has the bottle to compete 
    against the old firm and actually win something.
    
    Derzo.
    
    

    
    RE-1
    
    Who invited you to call me sonny ??? SIR will do fine for now.
    
    As for my comments in the Rangers note !!!
    
     What the hell has it got to do with you..It's been that long since
    you's have played them,I'm amazed you even remember who they are....
    
    As for winning F*** all??? what round are you's in the cup ????
    at least we've progressed further than you's (AGAIN)
    after our 3-0 result over those Paisley Barstewards...
    
     SQF Jambo 

    
    re -1
    
    You're some supporter SONNY !!
    
    Your team is playing in the Scottish Cup and your not even 
    there. Instead your spouting your usual nonsense in these
    notes.
    
    Now how does that wee tune go ?...
    
    "part time jambo.....you're just a part time jambo"
    
    Now run along back to topic 63 our I'll send you to bed without
    any supper !!
    
    Derzo

    
    re: .150
    
    And I quote :
    
    "at least we've progressed further than you's (AGAIN)"
    
    Your talking nonsense again Sonny. Why don't you think before
    you rant. Last season did the jambos not make a first round cup 
    exit at the hands of the mighty Dunfermline ?! Whereas the black 
    and white machine went all the way to the quarters.
    
    Have a nice day now...
    
    Derzo. 
    
    

    
    we actually got knocked out by Airdrie...
    so why don't you get your facts right !!!
    as for you's managing to get further than us on a couple of
    occasions....
    
     WOW...that's somthing to put in the history books.

    Who cares whether you'll be back on Monday ? Nobody in Ayr is
    interested in reading your nonsense. Let's face it SQF Jambo, your
    entries into anybody elses notes are nothing short of juvenile and we
    can all do without you. Since the Rangers and Celtic notes went so
    quiet, you had to turn your venom on Ayr, lighten up buddy, your not
    funny. And as for your comments about jobs in SQF and Ayr.......
    
    
    I'm sure the site management in Ayr would be very interested to know
    what you base your comments on. 
    
    Kev...     
    

    >>     Wither it's in bad taste or not I don't give a toss !
    
    >>     The highlight of the night was the singing of :
    
    >>     "what's it like to have nae job !"
    
    >>      to the tune of "what's it like to follow shite"
    
    >>      Excellent stuff !!
    
    
    
    Understandable in the heat of the fray Derek, but was you brain in gear
    when you wrote the note?   Not very complementary to your mentality is
    it?
    
    BTW, is that the same tune as "won ****-all and never will"?
    
    
    
    Michael
    

    
    Mick,
         When you follow a team like Ayr you have to revert to such
    harmless little ditties to detract from the crap your watching on the
    pitch. I would have thought you would have understood this as Celtic
    have not been known for their overwhelming success in recent season.
    
    IMHO songs like "what's it like to have nae job" pale into
    insignificance when compared to the racist and bigoted songs sung
    by the old firm.
    
    Why not concentrate in getting your own house in order before
    you jump on your high horse at something that was basically
    just a bit of fun sung by the followers of a team that were getting
    humped at the time.
    
    Derzo.
    

    
    
    I couldn't agree more Derek - the bigoted stuff sang on the terracings
    of Parkhead & Ibrox is disgusting - that's one reason why I stopped
    going years ago.   So the only house I have to put in order is the one
    on Dalmellington Road!
    
    It's not a question of my high horse, but (as Kevin detected) your note
    touched a wee nerve as I do have family and friends who work(ed) in
    Ravenscraig.  So forgive me if I don't find the idea of people I know
    loosing their job and livelihood very amusing.
    
    
    Now let's get back to football.
    
    Michael
    

    
    Okay Mike, point noted.
    
    Back to football it is......
    
    Derzo.

    re.156
    
    Kev as far as I am concerned,It was a bit of banter I was having with
    Derzo.If any the comments I made offended YOU then I apologise. :-)
    
    As for your comments about me and the Celtic & Rangers topics,I don't
    really think it is any of your buisness,the comments I put in might
    seem juvenile to you but they were put in for a bit of light hearted
    humour.(obviously you don't have a sense of humour) ???
    
    re-my remarks about SQF and Ayr,again put in as a witty reply to the
    previous note,there was no malice intended so obviously you took it
    the wrong way.
    
    Colin (SQF Jambo)
    

    hi lads,
    
    
           Saturdays performance must rate as one of the worst this 
    season,against a team of no hopers who would truggle against
    Whitlets Vics..The only players who showed any imagination where
    Furphy ,Agnew and the very impresive McTurk..I dont realy know
    what more George Burley can do without money,but changes are needed.
    I would start with kicking Tommy Bryce and the goalless Tommy Walker
    back up the A77.Also I think Ally Grahams cent performances warrant
    a wee spell on the bench ,in order to give McTurk and , or Shaw a
    longer run inthe team...
    
    
    
    
          enough moans for one day Graeme....
    
    
        P.S   Is wee Lawrance Grace still out there ?? If so Iam begining
    to see what you mean about big Ally,A lamppost would have been more
    effective on Saturday....
    
    

    re .164
    
    Of course, Colin, it's me who is wrong. How silly of me not to see the
    side-splitting humour of all your notes. Perhaps I was just suffering
    from post-Fir Park depression....
    
    And then again, perhaps they are not particularly amusing...(which is
    why they keep getting set hidden)
    
    I do consider that I have a sense of humour, perhaps not on the same
    wavelength as yours, but when you have followed Ayr United around
    Scotland  for over 20 years, you tend to acquire one along the way.
    
    Now can we get back to football ?
    
    Kev...

    HI GUYS,
       


           The latest in the long saga of rumours is that the gaffer is
    interested in Thompson of QOS in a player plus cash deal..
          I find it hard to believe because Aberdeen had an offer of 
    100,000 turned down.The only possible offer Ayr could make would be
    Walker,Evans,Bryce and Weir plus the usuall 10,000...
          I dont even  think an idiot like Mcleod  would accept an offer
    like that....
    
    
    
           see you all later  Graeme.
    

    
    From what I read a few months back, Andy Thomson is being watched very
    closely by a number of clubs, including Liverpool and Aberdeen....
    
    ...Somehow i just can't see him in an Ayr strip :-)
    
    
    Kev... 

    HI KEV,
    
    
         Nice to hear from someone from the old country, I was begining to 
    think you lot had lost your tonges,has Danny and Derzo left the country
    this week???
         Ona more serious note are you hading for Firhill on Saturday? If
    so could you do your usual report on Monday ,because being a part time
    supporter I wont make it on Saturday.......
    
    
    
    
    
                see you at the next home game ....SAL
    

    I'll be there Sal, a report on the events will follow. If you would
    like to know anything in particular ie who played,who didn't play, the
    names of the Ayr support......that sort of thing, let me know.
    
    BTW, the youth team are in the semis of the BP Youth Cup after a 3-1
    victory over Arbroath on Sunday. Some good prospects in there too.
    
    Derzo has nothing interesting to write , but I'm not sure what's wrong
    with Danny these days.
    
    Kev...

    
    
     re last
    
     End of season blues in mid February I'm afraid. I'm working this 
    Saturday so I won't be paying a visit to sunny Firhill to see us
    getting beat by Thistle for the 4th time this season.
    
     We're away from home for the next 3 Saturday's; Thistle, Morton and
    Stirling. How does 1 point from 6 sound?
    
     Danny...

    re last
     >>How does 1 point from 6 sound?
    
    
    
    
    Hopeful ?
    
    Kev..

     
    Kev,
    
        that's not nice....it's hard for a mere mortal like myself
        when there's such a talented rovving reporter as yourself
        about. :-) 
    
        I'll just have to make do with continually gubbing you
        at TT !!
    
        Derzo.
    
    ps. Sal, why would any player with Thomson's ability want to 
        come to the worst full-time team in British football ?
        Methinks this ones from the "SALbeano land of make beleive". :-)
                              

    Hi Dan,
    
    
          Oh ye of little faith......One point out of six ,I hope not,
    I think its high time we did Partick,because lets face it theyve
    done us three times this season against the run of play,the law of
    averages says something has got to give,as for Stirling the same law
    says their on for a real going over.Its the tie at Greenock that
    worries me I feel we have had a wee bit of luck against them and I
    feel its about to run out.So my bravest prediction is 3 or 4 out of 
    6 with the 3 looking the best bet ...
          You never know the pace of McTurk may give our styleless team
    a new dimention..heres hoping anyway....
    
    
    
    
         See ya Sal
    
    
    
    
    
    p.s     Any news of transfers in the Ayrshir Post????????
    
    

    
    Partick Thistle 4 -1 Ayr United
    
    Ayr's second succesive 4-1 away defeat. After looking very sharp for
    the first 30 mins Ayr fell apart when Shaw scored an opportunist goal
    from a tight angle. It was 2 against 5 when McGlashan found Shaw wide
    on the right and he cut into the box and fired a drive high into the
    top corner at the near post. Purdie really should have been better
    positioned. For most of the first half, Rae and Duffy kicked and shoved
    and held everything in an Ayr jersey, yet the only player booked was
    George for a typically tough challenge in the midfield. The linesman on
    our side missed 3 offsides in a row and almost cost Ayr a second goal
    when Irons shot past from an obviously offside position. 1-0 at
    half-time was a travesty and with Ayr still looking the likelier side,
    the second-half started in a similar fashion to the first. Ayr won a 
    free kick on the edge of the Partick box in 47 mins and Burley rolled
    it to Agnew whose shot was held at the second attempt by Murdoch.
    Partick scored in the next attack when Farningham beat Purdie, again at
    his near post with a low shot from 10 yards. 10 mins later it was 3-0
    when McGlashan forced a Rae knockdown home after a corner. Purdie made
    possibly the worst attempt i have EVER seen at saving a shot at this
    goal. He really has to go. How long can Burley go on playing this guy?
    Bryce and Shaw came on for McLean and Archibald and after good play by
    McTurk and Shaw, the ball broke to Bryce who shot home via the far post
    from about 18 yards. Partick had the final say when Irons hit a free
    kick over the wall and past the despairing dive of Purdie in 88 mins.
    McTurk almost scored in the last minute when after beating about 4 men
    his shot hit Law and rolled towards the goal line, only for Law to
    clear it off the line. The final whistle brought a torrent of boos and
    jeers, mainly directed at the directors, not the players.
    
    team
    
    Purdie   *    Lost 4 goals , enough said
    Burley   **   Passing still incredibly bad
    Agnew    **   A poor game by his own standards
    Traynor  **   Could not cope with pace of Shaw and McGlashan
    Auld     ***  Solid in the air, but slow on the ground
    Kennedy  **   Worst game for a while
    McLean   **   Never really got into the game. Subbed for Shaw
    McTurk   **** Different Class. Best Ayr player by far
    Graham   **   Tried (!) but nothing worked for him. Continually fouled
    Archibald***  Showed enough touches to prove he is still dangerous
    George   **   Early booking quietened him down
    
    Shaw     **   Looked dangerous when playing alongside Tucker
    Bryce    **   Took his goal well, did little else.
    
    approx 500 Ayr fans in a crowd of 2,600
    
    
    Kev...

    
    Forgot to mention that the latest rumour is that 2 Ayr players will be
    departing to an unknown first division club in exchange for a left
    winger.
    
    Any ideas who it could be ?
    
    Evans and Walker for Paul McDonald ??
    
    Purdie and Graham for Donald Dewar ??
    
    :-)
    
    Kev...

    
    Partick reserves at Somerset last night...guess the score
    
    Aye , 4-1 to Partick.
    
    I'm getting really sick of looking at them this season. McTurk scored a
    cracker for Ayr to equalise but the roof fell in with 15 mins to go and
    a penalty in the last minute made it 4-1. 
    
    It appears that the left winger may be Gordon Mair, ex Motherwell and
    currently languishing with Clydebank. No news on the players moving.
    Personally I'd rather we bought Paul Harvey, but what do I know ?
    
    Kev...

    HI KEV,
     
    
    
         Gordon Mair made his first appearance for Clydebank last season at
    Somerset where he played on the right wing , and made a fool of Joe 
    Love for most of the game ,including a lovely cross for Ken Eaddie
    to score the winner. I know he was only playing against a wee silly
    full back but did look the part never the less.Very fast,strong and
    supplies a very accurite cross,,but the question has to be asked ,if
    he cant get a game for Clydebank ,will he be any use for us????
    
    
    
            sal......

    
    
    
    
    
     The latest news , fresh from the hotline is that D Purdie is seriously
    considering giving up football in favour of a career move with the firm
    he is with just now.So lok out for Utd signing anew keeper.
    
    
    
    
                 sal.....

    Oh Joy !!
    
    The bringer of glad tidings, Sal
    
    I hope it's true, I just can't take much more of him playing for Ayr.
    Super Cammy has restarted very light training and should be back for
    the beginning of the season. Stevie Itchiball will not be signing for
    Ayr as Burley has stated, "We must invest in younger talent"
    
    The reserves won 2-1 at QOS on Monday. Walker and Gardner scored.
    
    Anyone for Stirling ?
    
    Kev.....

    Hi Kev,
    
    
          Glad to hear that Archiebald is on his way..Clubcall said 
    that Evans has been freed and is having talks with Clydebank ,I
    would of thought Stevie would have been worth around 30K..
          I also heard that the fulltime staff was being cut to about 13
    or 14 ,do you know the current amount of fulltimers at Ayr ? and if so 
    how many would that make getting the boot.
            No I wont be at Stirling, but I expect to see full details 
    in here as usual on Monday morning...
    
    
    
    
    
    Sal................... 

    I think the following are full time (correct me if I'm wrong)
    
    Duncan
    Burley
    Agnew
    Furphy
    Howard
    Kennedy
    McLean
    Gardner
    Bryce    **
    Walker   **
    Graham
    Weir
    Smith    **
    Vincent  **
    Hood
    Evans    ** (already going)
    Traynor
    George
    Fraser
    
    I make that 19 less 5 (**) = 14
    
    Any thoughts ?
    
    Kev...
    

    rep 184
      
    
         I agree with your 5 mugs ,but if the pool is to be strenghtend
    by the usual close season of say 3 or 4 new signings ,then 3 or 4
    other players have got to go .Any thougts who they might be??
         At a wild guess,I would say that these are all possible
    Agnew sold for what ever he can get and replaced by "him fae Clyde"
    Graham to be sold in the same way and replaced by McTurk and Shaw
    both also partimers ,Ialso think that Furphy could also face the 
    axe to raise more cash ,that would leave a central defensive perm.
    from Howard,Hood,Auld or Burley ,but the more Ithink of it Auld will be
    of also ...Doesnt leave alot does it????
       Oh that was a good wee moan.....
    
    
    
         Sal
    

    
    
     Hot off the press, well the Ayrshire Post to be exact.
    
     Ayr have just announced a loss of 206k for the past year, putting the
    club 100k in debt. Despite these losses, Ayr will continue as a
    full-time club, albeit on a smaller scale, as the premier league is
    still their aim.
    
     Burley, currently trying to balance the books has admitted that he's
    having to give players away as no teams are prepared to buy the
    misfits. Interestingly, since Burley arrived at Somerset he has given
    free transfer to the following full time players.
    
     1. Willie Cunningham to Kilwinning Rangers 
     2. Chris Ellis to Kilwinning Rangers
     3. Peter Conlan to Glenafton Juniors
     4. Joe Love to Stranraer
     5. David Smyth to QOS
     6. Alan Gilliespie to QOS
    
     As can be seen, these players aren't even good enough for part-time
    first division sides. Ally McLeod and the crazy gang have left Burley
    with a very hard job to get the club back on an even-keel.
    
     Also given frees recently are Steve Vincent and the future Scotland
    captain, Robert Brown. Stranraer offered cash for Evans earlier in the
    season. This was rejected by Ayr. He is now on a free and although
    Dumbarton and Clydebank have offered him terms, he seems to be quite
    willing to see out his full-time contract in the reserves.
    
     Mike Smith is also on the transfer list, but Burley hopes to get some 
    cash for him.
    
     Onto Saturday's game, Duncan George is out through suspension and also
    misses the Morton game next midweek. Lee Gardner is expected to return.
    Ayr have to win this game to maintain 7th spot and put a bit of space
    between themselves and Stirling who are only 2 points behind in 8th
    place.
    
    
     Danny... 

    Hi Dan,
    
    
          Bad news you bring today, but is anyone realy surprised? As we
    all know ,with an investment of say 150K on three premier class players
    we would have been thrown into the  promotion race, this would have
    added about 3000 to our home gates ,this  would give an extra 
    220K to 260K in revenue to the club thus paying back the 150K
    investment and leaving around 100K to wipe out the seasons debt .
    Who knows promotion might just have been achieved ,or at worst a solid
    platform would have been built for the following season where more
    investment of the same level would surely done the trick, St Johnstone 
    is the example that spring to mind.
            Not our board though ,their main objective is to conn the fans
    into thinking they are ambitious , while season by season you will
    actually see the the return of Ayr to partime football ,where they
    would still have been had David Murray notrocked the boat...
            The future is in the hands of the support ,who have seen
    nothing but 1st and 2nd div football for the last 15 years..and seen
    their favourites sink from giving the Rangers and Celtics a good run
    for their money to competing with Stirling and Clydebank in terms of 
    stature,and often being out bided in the transfer market by such
    minnows.....Sad days indead........
    
    
         GMcD...
       

    awright troops (and Kev)
    
    away to the mighty Albion today ??? If any of you's are going for the
    train to the game,remember It's Anfield in Stirling and not Liverpool.
    Then again the amount of fans you's take to an away game you's are just
    as well to stick to your tandem.
    
    
    
    SQF Jambo

    
    
     re last
    
      I see the loyal Jambo supporters were leaving early again on Saturday
     long before the end of the game with Celtic. This isn't the first time
     this has happened this season. A couple of defeats and the part-timers
     pack it in.
    
     Danny...
    
    
     ps at least we can find our way to most grounds in Scottish football!!
    After all, we've been there in the last few years!!
    
    

    Stirling Albion 1 - 2 Ayr United
    
    Ayr's last ever game on the plastic pitch brought their first away win
    since November and Albion's first home defeat since October 26th. Ayr
    started with the following line-up;
    Purdie,Kennedy,Agnew,Furphy,Howard,McLean,Gardner,Bryce,Graham,Traynor
    and McTurk. Subs, Walker and Shaw. Kicking into a strong wind in the
    first half, Ayr found it difficult and in only 6 minutes the first
    corner of the match was pushed against the face of the bar by Purdie
    and then cleared. The second corner brought the opening goal when Moore
    met it and sent the ball past Purdie in 13 mins. Ayr were frequently in
    trouble and when Furphy limped off after an assault by Reilly, the task
    looked even more difficult. Traynor moved to sweeper and Walker came on
    to play up front. The second half was a complete change and it was Ayr
    who did all the pressing and Albion were pushed back for long spells.
    A long pass from Traynor found McTurk unmarked on the half-way line and
    he ran in unchallenged on McGeown. Tucker's weak shot hit the keeper's
    legs but the fast surface allowed the ball to run on into the net. Lee
    Gardner was having a very good game playing wide on the right and Paul
    McLean was running the midfield on his own. In 66 minutes Walker scored
    perhaps his best ever goal for Ayr when, after great work by Gardner,
    McLean and Graham, he rifled a  shot across McGeown and into the far
    corner from about 16 yards. Walker had to go off injured after twisting
    his knee and Shaggy came on, going close with his first attempt. The
    game was won by now and some careful defending ensured the points came
    to Ayr. Howard was booked in the last minute along with Vinnie Moore
    after an off-the-ball incident which ended with Moore lying on the
    pitch.  
    Marks for Merit  
    
    Purdie   **    Poor at crosses
    Kennedy  ***   Bad first half
    Agnew    ***   Off the boil recently
    Furphy   **    Subbed after 30 mins
    Howard   ****  One of his best games
    McLean   ****   "   "  "    "    "
    Gardner  ****   "   "  "    "    "
    Bryce    **    Looked lost
    Graham   **    Did little
    Traynor  ***   Lost in midfield,but deputised well for Furphy
    McTurk   ***   Quiet game, but first goal for the club
    
    Walker   ***   Superb Goal
    Shaw     **    No time to shine
    
    Last night the reserves defeated Stranraer at Somerset 2-0 with goals
    from Smith and a McVie free-kick. Stranraer included McCann,Love,Sloan
    and Evans, all ex-Ayr and Walker,Cook,Geraghty ex-Killie. Ayr fielded
    7 players aged 17 and also included Norman Montgomery, Glenafton's 33
    goal striker who had a great match. Derek Allan was outstanding in
    defence and is one to watch for the future. Also look out for Micheal
    Robertson getting a run for the first team before the end of the
    season, he is a brilliant keeper and will surely make it in the big
    time.
    
    Kev...
    
    p.s. It's a good job you're not on "A Question of Sport" Colin,
    Liverpool play at Anfield but Stirling play at Annfield.
    
    Spot the difference ?
    
    Spot the Loony ?
    
    :-)  

    Hi Kev ,
    
    
           Is this Graeme McVie any good ? Will he make the first team next
    season with a view to pushing Agnew up to Bryce"s position,in left 
    midfield?
           Also could you give more info on this "Monty" fellow from the 
    Glens? i.e size,pace,skill and all tht stuff.
    
    Graeme....
     
    

    
    awright troops
    
    re.190
     
    Danny you might know the way to 1st division grounds but unless you've
    got a very good memory I doubt very much you'll remember the way to the
    Premier league grounds. :-)
    
    re.191
    
    Kev you say at the bottom of your letter,'spot the loony' ???
    I can't remember ever seeing you !!!!  :-)
    
    SQF Jambo
    
    P.s
    Good match report Kev.

    
    
     re .193
    
      Well Mr. Patrick, your wrong yet again. 
    
     Having followed Ayr Utd for the best part of 18 years, I have in fact
    visited every Premier League ground in Scotland on several occasions.
    I have also visited most other senior grounds in Scotland, the
    exceptions being Forfar, Stenhousemuir and Berwick. I even had the
    misfortune of taking several trips through to Edinburgh and getting
    totally drenched standing on the uncovered terracing at Tynecastle.
    What a dump!!!!
    
     Being such a fine and friendly crowd in this note, we will be more
    than happy to give you directions to football grounds outside
    Edinburgh. We will even let you know the prices of entry to these
    grounds. Please do not feel in any way embarressed to ask but being a
    part-time supporter, you probably need as much help as you can get.
    
     :-) :-) :-)
    
     Danny...
    
    ps looks like the Jambos will be winning as much as Ayr this season.

    re 192
    
    Graeme McVie is settling into the club after a couple of shaky games to
    begin with. He is now captain of the reserves, playing at left-back but
    is equally at home in midfield, where I think he may get a run before
    the end of the season. He could probably take Bryce's place better than
    Agnew and I'd rather see Garry stay where he is most at home. 
    
    On the subject of Monty;
    
    Size ?  Well, his nickname is "Wee Barrel" what does that tell you.
    Pace ?  None that I saw.
    Skill ? That's a different story. Held the ball well, tricky.
    
    	All in all, I think he'd benefit from some serious training and
    getting fit before a real decision could be made. Burley has stated
    that he will be tried again. On a good note, Alan McTurk's employer
    has agreed to let him turn full-time and guarantee his job should it
    not work out. Watch this space for a contract from the Boss.....
    
    Kev...

    
    
    I find this very suspicious,
    
    The game tonight has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
    
    Given the fact that Morton were not too impressed at playing the game
    at all,it's even more suspicious.
    Reports are "flooding" in that the whole first team squad at Greenock
    were spotted hoseing the surface. These will no doubt be denied in the
    Cappilowe Bugle. 
    
    It's hardly even been raining !
    
    Kev...  

    RE.194
    
    Well Mr Smith (very common name)
    
    As for being a part time supporter,there is little more I can do seeing
    as how I work 4 days on 4 off and inevitably (sp) I work weekends.
    
    I too have been to most grounds in Scotland,including Berwick  :-)
    in the old days when the Jambo's were in the 1st division.
    
    re- your remark about Tynecastle being a dump,I do agree it is'nt the
    best stadium in Scotland,but I would'nt exactly say Somerset Park
    was one of the best,and I hope if you ever get a chance to return to
    Tynecastle before we move it pours of rain all day and you get soaked
    again.
    
    SQF Jambo...
    
    P.S.
    Just incase your wondering why I'm not at the game tonight,I'm actually
    in training Sal (who does'nt hate Jambo's as much as you)
    

    KEV,
    
       Whats this Ive been hearing about a all seated Somerset for about 
    2 million pounds can you update...
       Also when and where do the under 18 team play their BP semi final
    and who is it against??
       Is Duncan George free from suspention for the Hamilton game and if
    not when will he be ready to play again???
    
    
    
    
        GMcD....
    

    
    Ah...the SQF jambo returneth to the Ayr notes.
    
    Nice to have you back sonny. We've missed your rants.
    
    It always brightens up our dreary lives reading one of your crap
    notes. Long may you remain illiterate.
    
    Now that the bubble's burst it shouldn't take Celtic long to take 2nd
    spot from you.
    
    Another barren season for the old farts....sorry jam tarts.
    
    Del. 
        
    
    
                     

     now now Del boy,no need to be bitchy.....
    
     I only write in this dreary topic to keep myself occupied,and too read
     your p*ss poor replies........Oh and too keep Sal amused as well..
    
    
     SQF Jambo
    
     
    
     
     

    re-1
    
    maybe Sal does need to be amused,but he says the guys from the East
    coast are a lot more friendlier than those he left in the West :-)
    
     only bitchin

    
    More friendlier eh....wink wink nudge nudge say no more !
    
    Bit of a (rent) boy are we Colin. :-)
    
    Del. 

    
    Colin,
    
       the wee smiley face after the sentence in my last note meant it
       was said tongue in cheek. No offence was meant....don't take things
       so seriously. :-)
    
       Del.

    
    
    re .197
    
     I don't believe it, Mr. Patrick (very weird name) has actually come
    up with a true statement. Yes indeed, I have a very common surname.
    How long did it take you to find that out? Word on the street is that
    you spent several hours going through a phone directory to find out.
    
     Danny...
    
    ps I would rather see Hearts win the Premier League than Rangers or
    Celtic.
    
    pps My boss is a Hearts fan, I've got to say that !!!! :-)
    
    ppps  Lighten up Mr. Patrick, it's only a bit of fun.

    
    Danny I know it it's only fun,.......
    
    Kev,my supervisor probably would'nt mind me taken every other Saturday
    off,but I don't think my wife would be happy when I could'nt go on
    holiday this year as I'd used them all to se the jam-tarts.....
    
    as for dedication,before I started in here I went to almost all the
    Jambo's games,home and away for the past 14 years and still try to go
    when I can. so I still regard myself as a SUPPORTER and not a part timer.
    
    SQF Jambo 

    
    Sal,
        How's the 12 hour shift going ?  
    
        Remember keep that bunny suit secure and watch your back.
    
        You never know what kind of depraved creature might be lurking
        in the shadows......that reminds me..
    
        How you doin' Colin ? :-)
    
        Del
          

    re-1
    
    hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
    
     you crack me up Del......now watch you don't over tax that 1 brain
    cell of yours  :-)

    Del,
    
      Its not so much tonights shift that bothers me,but on Saturday I"m
    on nights as well, so I"ll miss the Hamilton game ...
       Although I"ll probably get up an hour early and listen to it on the
    radio..
       Can"t wait to stuff that excuse for a team,stadium ,strip and all
    the usual stuff,mob.
      Its high time we done them,but I feel achange of tactics is needed
    because they seem to cope with the Ally Graham "or lack of it " threat
    very easily...
           Any veiws on team selection , result , I'll stick my neck out
    "again" and go for 2-1 to the Whites......
    
    
       GMcD..
    
    
    
    P.S when do we play Morton??????

    
    Sal,
        The BIG question is...do we really want to beat Hamilton ???
    
        Ok we owe them for 4 defeats already this season but if we win
        on Saturday we'll be doing the maggots a favour. We are well out
        the promotion race and well clear of relegation so I'll not be
        too unhappy if we loose....anything to keep the maggots in the 
        1st Div where they belong. Just think...next season we can watch
        Fleeting waste another million !!!
     
        Del.  
    
        

    Del,
    
    
      Dont worry about the maggots ,because their capable of loosing
    lots more games before the end of the season,including one at 
    Somerset in March , so us giving Hamilton the points is not really
    on .Remember that cheat McCluskey and his grinning fat face every time
    they beat us ,that should be insetive enough for us to give them
    a gubbing to remember ."heres hoping anyway".....
    
    
    
    
    GMcD....
    

    
    VP Sal

    Boys,
    
    
    
       MY prediction for todays line up.......
    
                                   Purdie
       
    Burley               Howard        Traynor              Agnew
    
    Gardner              Kennedy       McLean              Bryce
    
                  Graham                       McTurk
    
           
    
                  subs   Shaw      Smith
    
    
    
    
    
    I'm sure Kev might correct me 'when I'm wrong...
    
    
       cheers Graeme.....     

    Hi Del,
    
          AYR UNITED  2  HAMILTON  0
           Graham (2)
    
    
               Tell me Del ,it really must be about humble pie time for
    you.Not only is the big man club top scorer with a impresive 15 strikes
    he must be up in the top 5 scorers in the league.
              Anyway sounds like a great performance, update please . 
              I'll probably be available for the Morton game so keep in
    touch about that also the Killie game is looking very possible to,so
    with abit of luck it will be beers and bigotry in the Horseshoe as
    usuall,12am sound good to you?????
             cheers GMcD...
    
    
    
     

    
    
     A good solid performance against our bogey team saw us defeating
    Hamilton for the first time in 10 years at home and the first time home
    or away for a couple of seasons. Hamilton were utter crap (but we knew
    that anyway), only threatened once when scissorhands had a nightmare
    with a cross ball which resulted in a header against the bar.
    
     Super Ally's first was a bit strange. A cross from the left from Agnew
    ended up being toe-poked into the net from about 5 yards by the big
    man. Don't know what the defence were trying to do but the big chap
    enjoyed his goal. His second was a bit of a belter. Corner from Agnew
    turned back across the goal by Traynor for Ally to net with a powerful
    diving header.
    
     Good performances from Howard, Traynor, McLean and Graham.
    
    team as follows
    
                               Purdie
    
         Agnew         Howard           Traynor         Kennedy 
    
          Bryce        McLean       Gardner      McTurk
    
                    Graham           Walker
    
    subs  Shaw (replaced McTurk)  Hood.
    
    Defence was pretty solid all game, Gardner and McTurk were empty
    jersey's.
    
     Danny...
                        

    Sal,
         Either you have cracked up due to the pressure of work at SQF or
    the phantom personal name changer (probabley SQF Jambo) has attacked
    you. Nice to see you're still following the boys
    
     Regards,
             Billy.

    Sal,
    	The U-18 team will play the semi-final of the BP Cup at Somerset on
    Sunday with a 2pm ko. Admission is FREE !  Monday nights reserve game
    at Baghdad was postponed as the best playing surface in Scotland was
    unplayable again. They play tomorrow at Love St and are at home to
    Rangers on Monday. They are 5th in the league at the moment.
    
    Duncan George will return for Saturday but Nigel Howard is suspended.
    It will need a good display to beat a Raith team which scored 5 against
    Montrose last week. I'll go for a 1-1 draw with Walker scoring.
    
    Kev...
    
    p.s. Any chance you might make the "long" journey from SQF ??
    

    Hi Kev,
    
    
          Sorry Kev the Raith game is a none starter due to me being on
    dayshift that day ...Im more hopefull of getting a day of for the
    Killie game though.. Do we play Morton next Wed. if so I think I could
    make that match.. 
          Tommmy Walker scoreing at Starks ,you must be jokeing ......
    Big Al will have Dennis in his pocket again , but I think the defense
    will be streched without big Howard ,and I think we will hang on for
    a point ,Ill go for 1-1 or 2-2..
                              
          re 219..Yes I left my account switched on ,the result was the SQF
    jambo strikes again...Kev tell me how to get it of!!!!!
    
    
          Cheers Graeme...

    
    Furphy should return on Saturday and Traynor will remain in defence so
    I don't think we'll miss Nige too much. I still say 1-1 and Walker to
    score. I think we play Morton on Tuesday but I'm not sure. The game
    will probably be off as it has rained continuously for 4 days down here
    and usually that means Scapa-flow will be under 2 feet of water.
    
    To get rid of that awful personal name , do the following;
    
    Notes> MODIFY PROFILE/PERSONAL_NAME="C'mon The Honest Men"
    
    or some other witty comment.
    
    BTW Big Steep and the rest of us have noticed how bad your spelling has
    become since you moved East. Is this due to not having Lawrence to
    proof-read your replies or have you been reading the DMURRAY book of 
    "Spelling Howlers"  ???
    
    I think we should be told.
    
    Kev...
    

    Kev,
    
    
       This terrible spelling comes from 7years at Forehill Primary,
    then 4 more at Belmont Acad.Also yes I could do with LG checking
    my spelling..Anyway you know what I mean!!!!!!
    
    
    Graeme...

    RE-1
    
    Graeme I told you I'll check your spelling for you if your having
    difficulty's.....
    
    Sal has told me that I'm getting popular in Ayr,so I propose to get
    photo's taken and for a small fee I'll even autograph them and you can
    sell them in the @SQF Jambo's fan club at Ayr......

    Kev,
    
    
      Here's a news flash for you Kev, you will probably know this allready
    ,but I'll spit it out anyway.Ihave it on good athority that Burley has
    been watching a Cowdenbeath striker by the name of Buckley .This is not
    the same one that used to play with Partick last year is it?????
          Info please Kev,age previous clubs and goals.......
    
    Graeme
    

    
    
     re .224
    
      We've got news for you Mr. Patrick (very uncommon name). 
    
    There is already a photo of you in use in our S&S club. It appeared in
    an old AYRLINES magazine and was immediately used for darts practice.
    Such was the demand to knock more holes into your gub, the picture was
    destroyed in a matter of days.
    
     Danny...
    
    ps Will you be another one of the big-game supporters at Hampden for
    the cup semi??

    Hey Danny I beleive the women at Ayr have enlarged the picture of me
    from ayrlines and stuck them on there ceilings  :-)
    
    As for the trip to Hampden,yes I will be there,but as I have already
    said before and hopfully this will be the last time,I do go when
    possible and I'm not working.....
    
    
    SQF Jambo

    Hi Lads,
    
    
    
       RAITH ROVS    2   AYR UNITED    4
    
    Neison  (2)           Graham  (3)
                          Walker
    
    
    
                     PURDIE          *****
                     KENEDY          ***
                     AGNEW           ***
                     McVIE           ****
                     TRAYNOR         ***
                     McLEAN          ***
                     GARDNER         *
                     BRYCE           **
                     GRAHAM          *****
                     WALKER          ****
                     SHAW            **
    
    
    
                 Subs not used   Hood McTURK.....
    
    
    Graeme..
    

    Boys,
    
        After Ayr's great performance in Kirkaldy Burley has a few problems 
    i.e who to play , does he bring in Howard or Furphy to the defence that 
    played so well at Raith or does he alter the some times shakey midfield
    by bringing back George ..
        Any ideas ???
    
    
       My team would be.....Purdie....out standing at Raith..
                            Kenedy
                            Agnew
                            McVie....did very well at Raith..
                            Howard...MOM against Accies....
                            McLean...playing his best stuff for a while 
                            George...hates Killie
                            Bryce....Ihate him but Burley doesny..
                            Super Al...DRees EAT YOUR WORDS AND HUMBLE PIE
                            Walker.. Okay I can be wrong to
                            Shaw....His luck is slowly changeing..
    
                           Subs McTurk....?????
                                Traynor...Its him or McVie to play/sub
    
    
    GRAEME... COME ON YE AYR........:-)..

    The Under-18 team have made it to the BP Youth Cup final after a 5-3
    victory on penalties against Partick yesterday. It finished 0-0 after
    90 minutes but Ayr took the lead with 7 minutes to go of extra time 
    when Billy Woods cracked in a 20 yard shot. 
    Partick equalised with 2 minutes left after slackness in defence. 
    Robertson saved Partick's 4th penalty and Woods again was the man to 
    send Ayr into the final when he slotted home Ayr's 5th.
    
    This chap Buckley has had more clubs than Jack Nicklaus and is surely
    near the end of his career. He's 32 now , a dwarf and only good for the
    likes of Cowdenbeath's "Blue Brazil" He's scored a few goals mind you.
    
    The Clydebank left-winger we were meant to sign was Pat Kelly , but he
    will not now be coming. Burley watched him last week at Kilbowie
    against Thistle and as he was subbed early in the second half, he
    pulled off his jersey and flung it at Steedman in the dugout. Burley
    does not want him now , and neither do the 'bankies.
    
    Duncan George may not be fit for Saturday as he was injured on Thursday
    might at Love St in the 3-1 defeat. Howard should return, but McVie and
    Traynor played so well on Saturday, I'd find it hard to drop any of
    them. BTW Derzo, had you been at Kirkcaldy on Saturday, you might even
    have been impressed by Dobbin. 3 superb goals for his first hat-trick
    in Ayr colours and he's now scored more this season than his previous
    best season. Ayr looked dangerous whenever they moved upfield and the
    only surprise was they only scored 4. Purdie had two magnificent saves
    at very important points and generally looked good. The whole team
    appear to be playing without any pressure and really look as if they
    are enjoying their football.. Morton tomorrow and I think the Super U's
    can continue their good form with 2-1 victory.
    
    Kev...

    
    Hello Chaps,
                I'm just back from Manchester and it's nice to see the boys
    come back to a bit of form. 3 wins on the trot against tough opposition
    is certainly a confidence booster. 
    
    While I was in Manchester I went to the Rumbelows Cup Semi against 
    Middlesboro'. Although the game had a capacity crowd, tremendous 
    atmosphere and great goals...it wasn't like the real thing !!! :-) :-)
    
    After Saturday's great result against Raith it would be easy to get
    carried away and start to predict victories against Morton and Killie.
    I'm not going to do that as Ayr have let us down more times than I care
    to remember. Until Purdie is replaced I'm never going to predict an Ayr
    victory again.
    
    Sal, for humble read hairy...I don't mind eating a piece of that !!
    
    Re : Big Ally 
    
    If he stopped his continual moaning and realised he ain't Marco Van 
    Basten I'm sure his scoring rate would be far higher. It's his lack
    of work rate that keeps him from being the player he could be....and
    that's what pisses me off. For his size and weight he should be the
    big Arnie of the 1st Division instead of the Julian Clary !!!!!
    
    5 from 2 games is an impressive strike rate and long may it continue.
    If he can bang in another 5 in the next 2 games I'll be forced to have
    a bite at that hairy...sorry humble pie !!
    
    Del 

    Kev,
    
    
        When and where is the final to be played?? Sounds like a great
    performance by the pups,maybe there is some real talent among them.
        Two finals in one season ,I don't know if I can take much more!!!
    
    
    Derek,
        
    
        If you had seen big Ally's fist on Sat."the exact same as his
    strike against Forfar except on the full volley and from about 30yds
    outand on the shy line " you would have eaten hairy , humble and
    Greggs.You might even have paid for the latter!!!!!  :-)
        Will you be in the Hosrse on Sat. at about 12am, same goes for Dan
    ???
    
    
    
    Graeme..      SATURDAY WILL BE EASSSSSSSSYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY     :-)
    

    
    
     Sal,
    
        Your really setting yourself up for a right slagging from the filth
      if we don't do them on Saturday. 
    
        We've certainly improved over the last few weeks, hopefully it
    continues for the next 2 games at least. It will be interesting to see
    Burley's selection if Furphy and George are fit and Howard is free from
    suspension. My choice to play Killie as follows :
    
                                Purdie
    
       Traynor        Furphy           Howard         Agnew
    
       Bryce          Kennedy          George         McLean
    
                   Superman           Walker
    
     subs from Shaw McTurk Hood and Gardner.
    
      A win tomorrow at Crapillow will set up a real cracker against
    Killie on Saturday. They'll bring a big support as usual. Let's hope
    they go home unhappy.
    
      Danny
    
    ps According to one of the maggots here, the biggest cheer at Rugby
    Park on saturday was on hearing the half-time from Kircaldy !!!
    
    

    
    Sal,
    
        the Horse at 12 is a definate.......       
    
        Somehow I don't think it will be as easy as you suggest.
        If my memory serves me correctly you were supremely confident the
        last time the maggots came to Somerset. Can't quite remember the
        score but I don't think we won !!
    
        It would certainly be nice to end their season. Nice being a bit of
        an understatement !!!!
    
        Del.
            

    
    Well lads after saturdays tremendous result even I've been moved to
    enter a wee note in praise of Super Ally :-). As was said in a previous
    note if he got on with playing instead of moaning he'd be a far better
    player. However, the big talking point from saturday must be Purdie
    meriting 5 stars on Sals points for prizes board !
    
    Just for the record we are now mathematical safe from relegation after 
    Saturdays two points. The question is is there any of us old enough to
    remember the last time we could enjoy the last 5 home games ? :-)
    
    
    
    Steep
    
     

    Good grief ! 
    
    Steep comes out of semi-retirement ! What next ?
    
    Sal, I don't know where or when the Final will be played, I'll let you
    know when I find out, but it will be against Hibs or Dundee United.
    
    One of the best things about Saturday was the support from the fans.
    Although there was not very many of us there, they gave the team lots
    of encouragement and were almost invading the pitch behind the goal
    when Ally blasted the 4th in off the underside of the bar. I'm hoping
    the fans will come out in force for the last 5 home games and really
    get behind the team. For the first time in about 4 months , Burley has
    problems about selection because he has too many players, it's usually
    the other way round. That means competition for places and the players
    are trying harder. We can still have a big say in who goes up, it won't
    be us obviously, but we can spoil a few parties between now and May.
    Let's start with Killie on Saturday....
    
    Kev...

    Ayr reserves lost 3-0 at home last night to Rangers. The teams were as 
    follows.
    AYR: Robertson,Burley,Vincent,Furphy,Hood,Kennedy,Martin,Brown,Trialist
    	 Smith,McTurk
    GERS:McKellar,Murray,Vinnicombe,?,Presley,Kuznetsov,Lee Robertson,Sandy
         Robertson,Rideout,Durrant,Spencer.
    
    Furphy came off early in the second half , and might play tonight. Zico
    and McTurk played the full match so may not be in the squad. I hear
    there is a hosepipe ban in Greenock, so the game might be on tonight.
    
    Kev...

    The Mighty United Fall At CRAPPIELOW
                
                Well Kev Can We have the usual match report as i was
    unable to go as im nightshift .... worst luck.
    
    
    my team to play the ayrshire minnows
                 
                             PURDIE
              TRAYNOR  FURPHY    HOWARD   GAZ AGNEW
       
                 GARDENER   MCLEAN    BRYCE
           
                 WALKER    GRAHAM    SHAW
    
    SUBS    MCTURK KENNEDY OR GEORGE IF FIT
    

    
    
    A crap game on a crap park on a crap night with a crap ref.
    
     That just about sums up last nights game at Crappielow. Conditions
    were very poor with a very heavy pitch, strong wind and rain. Morton
    created the better chances so probably deserved the win. Ayr were
    reasonably good in defence except late on when they were chasing the
    game and Morton's quick forwards always looked dangerous on the break.
    Our midfield last night was non-existant. Mclean tried hard to get
    things going but Bryce was poor and Lee Gardner just doesn't merit a
    mention. He was caught in possession so many times it was unreal. His
    passing was utter crap (nice word) and his tackling was useless. George
    has to be fit for Saturday or Killie will dominate the midfield.
    
     Pass marks to Scissorhands, Howard, McVie, McLean and MOM Ally Graham.
    He put in more work and tackles last night than he's done all season.
    Hopefully the team will be fired up for Saturday's game knowing that a
    win will finish Killie's promotion chances, but a big improvement will
    be needed on last night's performance.
    
     Danny...

    Yes Dan, Morton deserved to win last night. Ayr's midfield was shocking
    and I still can't understand why McLean was subbed. He was the only
    player in midfield who was tackling anyone with any effect. Gardner was
    beyond words. He was so out of his depth, slow , caught in possession
    time after time, he was driving me nuts. Purdie was not at fault with
    the first goal but must shoulder part of the blame for No 2 when Hopkin
    rose at the near post to score with a header. The first goal was an
    admitted, miss-kick by Tolmie. He swung at it with his left and kicked
    fresh air and the ball struck his right foot and trickled in at the far
    post. Walker should have scored after about 10 mins when he scooped the
    ball over the bar from 4 yards with his right foot when a left foot
    shot would have scored. Howard was booked for a rash challenge on
    Mathie. I would drop Gardner,McVie and Shaw and play Kennedy, Furphy
    and George from the start. We have to have a bit more dig in midfield
    and no silly we nancy boys like Gardner poncing about and losing the
    ball every time he gets it. His one and only good game at Somerset was
    against Dundee and he's done nothing since. If we had another striker I
    would also drop Walker, purely for missing that chance early on last
    night. All in all I am not confident about Saturday anymore. Sob Sob
    
    BTW, there must have been more rain fell last night during the match
    than fell in the 3 days preceeding the original date for the game, yet
    the game went ahead and was not abandoned. Funny that, isn't it ? :-)
    
    Kev... 

    Kev ,
    
    
        Sorry Kev McVie must stay.....
    
    last nights merits....
    
    PURDIE..........****
    TRAYNOR.........**
    AGNEW...........**
    McVIE...........****
    HOWARD..........****
    McLEAN..........***
    GARDNER.........-100
    BRYCE...........**
    GRAHAM..........*****
    WALKER..........***
    SHAW............**
    
    
    subs KENEDEY....**
         McTURK.....**
    
        AS it looks like George and McLean wont make it for Sat. Ithink we
    should use McVie or Furphy in that area to put some bite in the team..
    
    
    
    Graeme

    
    
     What's the problem with McLean? He didn't look injured last night,
    that's why I could not understand the substitution. If neither McLean
    or George make it for Saturday, we're in serious s**t!! If Furphy
    doesn't make it, we're in very deep. McVie will certainly start as he's
    not afraid to put himself about, that will be needed on Saturday.
    
     Danny...
    
    
    ps How about the hard-running, hard-tackling Ally Graham as out
    midfield maestro....:-)

    
    Hello there chaps, It's not like me to come in here without good cause
    but I thought you might be interested in a wee rumour from a reliable
    source that I heard last night. 
    
    Apparently Ayr Utd. are in hush-hush talks with a prosperous American
    businessman with a view to a possible takeover in the very near future. 
    
    comments ???
    
    Andy (looking forward to an entertaining game on Saturday with
    hopefully the right result for the "sleeping giant" of Scottish
    football :-) )
    
    
    

    
    
    re last
    
     Is this a wind-up or not?
    
    Remember, the esteemed gentlemen on the board at Somerset Park had the
    wisdom and sense to turn down a certain David Murray's offer of several
    million quid only a few years ago. Why should they accept any cash from
    someone else this time round?
    
    Danny...

    
    
    NO WIND-UP...

    
    
    
    Now this sounds interesting !!
    
    How about naming your source ,Andy , or even how he/she would know
    about it if you don't want to name names ?
    
    Danny, I don't think that even the buffoons that are on the board at
    Somerset would be stupid enough to refuse another reasonable offer.
    
    
    
    
    
    Steep. 

    RE.245
          
          DANNY 
              Seemingly all the director's who didnt want murray's money
              have all resigned or quit 
            
              APART FROM SHIT FOR BRAINS KILTY LOUDON
    
              So Here's hoping this time
    
             
             AT LEAST IF WE HAD THE KIND OF MONEY THAT THE MINNOWS HAVE
      
            I DONT THINK WE WOULD NEED TO TREAT EVERY GAME FROM NOW
         
            TILL THE END OF THE SEASON AS A CUP GAME TO GET PROMOTION
      
            NEED I SAY MORE
    
               CHEERS FIN
    

    
    So far this season we haven't managed to beat Killie. The last time
    they came to Somerset proved to be a rather humiliating experience
    which I'd rather forget. IMO along with Raith, Killie have been the
    most impressive side to visit Somerset this season. They were streaks
    ahead of us that day.
    
    Although we haven't beaten them this season we have only lost once.
    Tomorrow gives us the chance to even things up with the added incentive
    of knowing that if we win we end their promotion chances.
    
    Although we are out the promotion race I expect nothing less than 100%
    from the boys tomorrow. The defence has a more solid look about it and
    the forwards have started scoring again so that only leaves the problem 
    of the midfield, which on Tuesday night against Morton, was completely 
    missing. We badly miss Duncan George.
    
    I'm not going to predict a victory tomorrow but if we can compete in
    the middle and closedown Ally Mitchell I'm sure we won't lose. With
    Hugh Burns suspended, Killie will miss his bite and hopefully we can
    take advantage of this.
    
    My team for tomorrow would be :
    
                           Purdie
    
             Traynor    Howard    Furphy    Agnew 
    
              Kennedy   McVie   George   McLean
    
                       Graham  Walker
    
              subs : Shaw, Bryce
    
    Hopefully Furphy and George will be fit for tomorrow and although
    it won't be a game for the youngsters McVie deserves to keep his place.
    I'd like to see Kennedy back to man mark Mitchell and I'd move McVie up 
    into midfield were he won't be afraid to put himself about. If we are
    under pressure he can always move back to form a 3 man central defence.
    We can't afford carry passengers so I'd relegate Bryce to the bench
    and drop Gardner completely. 
    
    If Furphy and George don't make tomorrow I can't see us winning.
    
    Del.                             

    
    So much for my team in the last note....it seems Duncan George
    will be out for the rest of the season. This is very disappointing as we
    could really do with his dig tomorrow.  I guess that means Tommy Bryce
    will start with Gardner or McTurk taking his place on the bench.
    
    Del.                                             

    
    
     Well, what can one say. 
    
    Ayr were well beaten by a very average looking Kilmarnock side. Neither
    team played particularly well in the windy conditions. Chances were few
    and far between, Purdie and Geddes both having a couple of good saves.
    
    Killie's first was a disaster for the Ayr defence. No tackle made in
    the midfield and Tait in yards of space to pick up the through ball.
    I don't know what Purdie thought was happening, he made no attempt to
    stop Tait's shot. The 2nd from Tommy Burns was very unlucky. He duffed
    his shot which was going straight to Purdie before it struck Kennedy
    and ended up in the net.
    
     Ayr's midfield was garbage. An unfit Duncan George tried to get things
    going but with 2 haddies in Bryce and Gardner alongside him, he was
    struggling throughout. 
    
     It's time Bryce and Gardner were replaced in midfield by players with
    a bit of class and speed to set up chances for the strikers. Kennedy
    also has to be replaced, possibly McVie will be given a run in the team
    now.
    
     All in all, a pretty glum afternoon at Somerset.
    
    Danny...

    Sal,
    You must have some size of gut by now,considering all the humble
    pie you have had to eat this season (not to mention the few pints
    and the odd curry here and there!!).Anyway it seems that every time
    you begin to gloat the roof falls in on us immediately,please do
    us a favour next season and start following the squirrels!!!
                             Only Joking Sal!!
                                  Cheers
                                 Lawrence

    
    
    Well all in all Saturdays game was pretty lousy. The performance
    merited the result with one two players showing how bad they really can
    be.
    
    Gary Agnew was sorely missed. This was particularly noticeable in the
    second half when half decent moves were breaking down on the left as
    Kennedy either passed backwards, sideways or just simply lost
    possession. 
    
    I think Burley must now think of playing some of the fringe players
    in the remainig games McVie, Hood, McTurk even some of the boys
    currently playing in the reserves.
    
    
    
    
    
    Steep
      

    The younger players in the squad will now get first team prcatise. Shaw
    has been told that he will play until the end of the season. Hopefully
    this will mature him for next season.
    
    regards ... Stevie

    
    
     Hopefully Burley will drop Gardner, Bryce and Kennedy tomorrow against
    Forfar and bring in 1 or 2 more of the youngsters, McTurk and Hood
    spring to mind. The boss should now start building for next season when
    hopefully Ayr will be able to sustain a challenge at the top. 
    
     On the subject of next season, who do you not expect (or would not
    want) to see at Somerset? I reckon we can do without Gardner, Bryce,
    Kennedy, Purdie and possibly McLean from the first team squad. There
    are quite a few others in the background who will be on their way.
    Brown, Vincent, Auld and Smith will certainly be leaving. Burley will
    have to rely on some of the good youngsters and hope to pick up a few
    bargain's during the close season to build his first team squad. A lack
    of cash won't help in trying to bring players to Somerset. Most will be
    signing on a part-time basis.
    
     I honestly think we have the nucleus of a good team, but as Burley has
    said, we're a couple of player's short at the moment. Hopefully he can
    find some midfield players with a bit of skill and pace to partner
    Duncan George who, in my view, is the only good player we have in the
    middle.
    
     Danny...
    
    ps I think we'll see the smallest crowd of the season at Somerset
    tomorrow.

    HI LADS,
    
          MATCH REPORT FOR THE FORFAR GAME PLEASE.....
    
    
    
    
    
    GRAEME...

    RE-1
    
    You's won !!!

    
    
    re - 2
    
     Only word to describe the Forfar game is YAWN!!
    
    Typical end of season game in front of a very small crowd of @1300.
    Ayr had a couple of chances early on before they took the lead with a
    good goal, well made by Bryce and a good header from McLean to finish
    it off. After that the game went from bad to very bad, only points
    worth mentioning were how Kennedy managed to miss twice in the space of
    minutes when through on the keeper.
    
     By all accounts, Saturday's game at Clydebank was as bad. As our
    roving reporter is absent with a broken wrist, we may have to wait a
    week or two before we get the details.
    
     Dundee at home on Saturday. Hopefully we'll see a better game with
    Dundee still needing the points to ensure promotion. I dare say we'll
    get the chance to verbally abuse the fat man who is currently
    player-coach with them, should be fun!!!
    
     Danny...

    
    Howz it gaun boys... 
    
    I've just sobered up from the hampden game (what a load of sh*t)
    
    Now down to buisness.I beleive we have allowed our close neighbours, 
    Meadowbank,the use of our magnifficent stadium to play you's a week
    on Saturday !!! I thought I would just write you's a small note to
    remind you's to take your camera's as it will probably be a very long
    time before you's ever get to see another Premier league Stadium.
    Also if you's have any spare cash and it is raining,It would be a
    wise investment to buy umbrellas,seeing as how the crap teams supporters
    get the uncovered end :-)
    
    Hearts are also about to unload some huddy's,(Gary lugs mckay aswell I
    hope)so if you's behave yourself and be nice to WallARSE Mercer,He might
    allow them to travel home with you's in the minibus as I beleive  
    there are always spare seats.  :-)
    
    SQF Jambo

    HI BOYS,
    
    
    
           A wee bit of info for you all ,I heard this week, from a not
    very good sourse mind you, that GB was in the middle of a swap deal
    with Ally at QOS , the deal I am told is Bryce and Purdie for Thopmson.
          Sounds like a tall one ,but it might well have been the swap deal
    that fell through last week, time will tell...
          Anyone got any other facts or romours to speak of,the press seem
    to be hinting that a pair of wide players are to be signed with the
    sale of one of our players to finance the deals.With only 3 players
    worth selling and 2 of them ,namely Graham and Agnew just signing
    new contracts it looks like Furphy will be the one to go.
          Time will tell...
    
    
      Graeme......
         
    

  SAL
    WHEN I WAS AT CLYDEBANK ON SATURDAY THE RUMOUR I HEARD WAS JOHN
    WATSON OF AIRDRIE BUT I DONT WHICH AYR PLAYER WAS INVOLVED .
    AS FOR THE GAME ON SATURDAY WELL IT'S NOT WORTH MENTIONING, TYPICAL
    END OF THE SEASON,BOTH TEAMS WERE RUBBISH, MIND YOU AYR HAD THERE
    CHANCES. 
    
    
    
    
    PS BAD NEWS THOUGH, killie MIGHT GET AGOOD MANAGER NOW
    

    
    re .259
    
     Welcome back Mr. Patrick.  How much did your street map of Glasgow
    cost you? You being a part-time supporter you'd need it to find
    Hampden. :-) :-)
    
    Re possible transfers. 
    
    Obviously Burley will be doing some wheeling and dealing during the
    close season to try and pick up some decent players on the cheap.
    However, John Watson I feel, would be a step in the wrong direction.
    He's past it. Look what's happened at Bugme Park. They bought several
    "old pro's" and got nowhere. Young blood required!!!
    
     Danny... 

    Dan,
    
        I don't know so much about signing young players, the side at the 
    moment is slightly over crowded with youth i,e Howard,McVie,Agnew and
    Shaw all under 22and the likes of Graham,McLean,George and Traynor not 
    much older .While I think you are wairy of signings who might fall into
    the Weir/Bryce age group,and I must agree Watson is one of them,and
    would be a bad signing,Ifeel we should be trying to sign experianced
    players  who are not yet over the hill and who are perhaps 27/28 and
    with a bit of luch have some premier experiance. Names that spring to 
    mind are McDowell of St Mirren or Graham Harvey of StMirren but I feel
    these guys could be 29/30 which is getting to over the hill stage..
            The terrible truth is teams aren't going to "give us" premier
    class players who are at their peeks.So I suppose its back to beggars
    can't be choosers...
             Hope GB can come up with something!!!!!
    
    
    Graeme..        

    RE.263
          SAL, doesent Graham Harvey Play With Airdre ?
    
          Well lads,which players would you keep and who would you sell or
    let go
          players i would keep:-
                                 super cammy
                                 john traynor
                                 gaz agnew
                                 furpherino
                                 Big nige
                                 paul mclean
                                 duncan george
                                 ally graham
                                 alan mcturk
                                 lee gardener
                                 greg shaw
        DONT KNOW'S
                                 Tommy walker
                                 tommy bryce
    
    
    
    i WOULD get rid of kennedy,oops iforget iwould keep mcvie
    
             so lets hear from you
          
                      cheers fin
    

    Hi Lads,
    
    
     Fin, Graeme Harvey does play with Airdrie , he cost around 60K from 
    Dundee and has scored around 30 premier reserve gaols..
    
    
    Players to go....I think in order to progress into the hunt 6/7 players
    need to be replaced by better ones , this applies to the whole team.
     But in my opinion the one's to go would be Vincent,Auld,Bryce, Brown,
    Walker,Weir,Kenedy and Smith...
    
    
    Graeme.... 

    re last few
    
    Come on lads, surely Gardner must be included in a clearout. The guy
    has done nothing since arriving at Somerset and hasn't shown anything
    that would make me want him to stay.
    
     Dundee tomorrow, we'll need a big improvement on the last couple of
    games if we're to blunt their title hopes.
    
      Dannny...

    Hi Lads,
    
             Was at the Dundee game yesteday and the lads played really
    well.The defence was very solid with Furphy out standing in his
    handling of thet wee toad Doads.The mid feild also played quite well
    with George on top form and tackling very well, Paul McLean also was
    unlucky on a couple of occations .Up front we were a wee bit soft with
    big Ai and wee Tam doing the usual.
            If Dundee is the best team in the league well we are not that
    far away , if only we could beat the wee teams like Stirling and
    Kilmarnock then things could have been a lot differant..
    
      Dan...  While I agree with you that Gardner is a complete pudin I
    think he deserves the chance of pre season training and proper 
    preperation for next season , if after this he fails then off he must
    go.
    
             I have come across a wee bit of gossip for you all,and this
    time it comes from a good source ,I have heard that David Kenedey
    is on his way to Meadowbank in a swap deal for who I dont know.
           Remembering that GB is after a winger could it be Little?
    Or could it be 6ft 2in forward Grant...
    
    Graeme 
    

    Boys.
    
         Sorry I had to log of in a hurry, the reason I think that GB might
    be interested in Derek Grant (Meadowbank and Dec) is that romour has it 
    that a deal with Airdrie for John Watson fell through last week, if
    that was the case it seems GB is on the lookout for a big forward in
    the Graham mould either to replace him or to play alongside him,I hope
    its the latter.Two big direct forwards would take some marking and with
    the right service could cause havoc next season.Does anyone remember
    the last time we played with such a combination ?? It was in the
    premier league ,with Walker McColl and Danny Masterton,who could forget
    that pair!!!! but seriously it could be an option ,when youve no cash
    for class midfeilders the only way to goal is down the wings and over
    the top i.e Millwal ,Shefeild Utd,Wimbldon and Cambridge.
    
            not great to watch,but beggars cant be chosers......
    
    Graeme ...
      

    
    
     A better performance on Saturday against the league leaders who, it
    must be said, had the better chances in the first half but some great
    goalkeeping from Purdie kept them out. He had 3 or 4 great saves, pity
    he's so inconsistent with high balls into the box. Second half saw Ayr
    come right back into the game and Jim Leighton in the Dundee goal had a
    couple of cracking saves to keep the scoreline blank. A draw in the end
    was a fair result.
    
     As Sal says, Dundee didn't look that good at times and will need to
    invest heavily if they want to stay in the premier.
    
     Impressed with Purdie on Saturday. Furphy and Howard were very solid
    in the centre of defence, Paul McLean had a very good game and was
    unlucky not too score. George and McTurk also impressed, Graham and
    Walker didn't do too much. Only players who weren't too good were
    Kennedy (as usual), Burley and Traynor although he was in midfield
    which I don't think is his best position.
    
     Danny...
    
    ps Nice to see wee Duncan George getting wired into that big cheat
    Stainrod and giving him a couple of hefty tackles.
    

    SAL
       If your right about Derek Grant,who are we going to use as winger's
       Ally Frazer, or Pedro Weir? I think GB should get rid of old
    peter and maybe keep Ally,and try and get agood Johnny Doyle like
    player .
    
     BIG NIGE is fairly comin on a ton  
    
    
          cheers fin

    I have just heard a rumour ????
    
     Sal is going to Hampden tonight !!!
    
     SQF Jambo

    
    
    re last
    
    
     Aye, just to make sure you don't get lost in the big city.
    
     Sal, you may not see a decent game of football but you're almost
    certainly guaranteed a good boxing match between the 2 dirtiest teams
    in Scottish football.
    
    Danny...
    
        

    
    Sal,
        I hope the rumour of you going to Hampden is untrue.....
    
        The football on show will be appauling if the first game is anything 
        to go by. Why waste your cash ? 
        
        It shows you the crap standard of Scottish football went two poor 
        sides like Hearts and Airdrie can contest a Scottish Cup semi-final.
        I rather watch a rerun of the election :-)
    
        Anyway back to more important matters. Players I think should
        depart from Somerset are as follows :
    
        Tommy Bryce  (past it)
        Stuart Auld  (past it)
        David Purdie (too inconsistent and unreliable)
        Tommy Walker (works hard but is basically crap)
        Peter Weir   (past it)
        Others to go include Vincent,Smith and Brown.
         
        Players I would keep but others might not necessarily agree:
    
        David Kennedy: 
        Always gives 100% and would be a valuable pool player. He is not the 
        most skilful player but could do a turn when better players are
        injured.  
    
        Lee Gardner:
        He must be a better player than he has showed so far. He certainly has
        the ability. I think he lacks the desire to play at Somerset but
        hopefully that will change. He will also benefit from pre season
        training.  
    
        Paul McLean:
        I'm not being biased here because I know Paul well. He has been
        unfortunate this season with injury and has therefore not been as
        consistent as he should be. He has the dig and determination we need
        in our midfield and along with Duncan George will form part of a very 
        tough midfield.
    
    
        Heres to more improvement next season.
    
        Del

    re-1
    
    Del,
        Sal may as well go along and see the 2 dirtiest teams in the league
    as you put it at hampden,coz He'll never be able to go there and see
    Ayr UTD....The only chance you's will ever get of seeing Hampden is if
    you go on a day trip......
    
     SQF Jambo

    Del,
    
    
    
       I agree with most of what you say but Zico falls into the same
    catagory as Walker"crap".The fact that he gives 100% is not really an 
    issue ,I mean you would give the same if you pulled on the white.What
    we must do in the summer is improve in as many positions as possible
    ,starting with the weakest ones , namely the wings , a partner for big
    Ally , a goalkeeper and all our mince, and that quite a lot ,you named 
    most of them..It would be easier to name the ones you wouldnt give away
    or swap.......Duncan,Furphy,Howard,McLean,George and Graham...the rest
    all can be improved on...
     
    
    Graeme..

    
    
    re .274
    
     Oh dear Mr. Patrick
    
    You've opened your big gub a little early again. I don't think we'll be
    seeing you at Hampden in May, after all you follow a team who
    consistently prove that they don't have the bottle on the big occasion.
    As was said many notes ago, you've won exactly the same as us this
    season, BUGGER ALL!!!!!!!!
    
     Danny.
    
    ps. Have a nice day now.
    
    pps. :-) :-) Always look on the bright side of life!!!

    
    
    
          Is there anyone going to Easter Road tonight for the BP youth
    cup final???
    
    Graeme
    
    
          

    re-1
    
    Graeme,you don't get into Europe by winning the BP youth cup !!! :-)
    
    re-2
    
    Danny,I got it wrong,
    
     We were beaten by those cheating scum B******s,who were as much fun to
     watch as paint drying.... Not to worry though our B team will stuff
     them in the final......
    
     SQF Jambo

    
    
      BP YOUTH CUP FINAL....HIBS  2  AYR UTD  0
    
    
    
          According to clubcall the pups had their backs to the wall for
    most of this game and Hibs deserved their win and more.Nobody could
    have expected much more against a team who has been in the final for
    the laat 3 years and can boast premier league players in their team.
    The important thing is the lads battled to the end and never quit,
    a point their older clubmates could do well to note....
    
    Graeme..

    
    
             MEADOWBANK TH  0  AYR UNITED 1
                                Graham         Crowd 310
    
    
    
    Awaiting match report from Fin......
    
    
             

    WELL LADS 
            what an exiting game 
           
    
           
    
    
    
            i woke up just in time to see ally scoring then wnet back
    to sleep .
    
            According to a certain MR Grace rumours of transfers are
    Greg Shaw going to ST JOHNSTONE in exchange for Steve Maskrey
    
            HOW ABOUT THAT THEN?
    

    
    
    I hope not, Stevie's a great wee player......and always likely to score
    goals.........What like is the Shaw character anyway.
    
    
    
    Peter.

    Attendance at Tynecastle !!!!!
    
     300....
    
     what a support  :-)
    
     SQF Jambo

    Hello Lads,
    
    
       The bad news is       Kilmarnock 4  Ayr United 0
    
    
            This is a real blow to the whites,god knows what happend over
    there,but something went very wrong,I wasnt at the game so I shouldnt
    really coment,but I will.
           This is the kind of result that a team costing close on 1million
    pounds should be having against a side that cost around 40 bob.I think
    now that TB has now made the Killie job his own,and unless real money
    is made available to GB,so that he can take on the likes of Killie
    without his hand tied round a lamppost then more results like these
    will follow..
          
    one browned off United fan ....over and out...
    
    P.s I can hear big Doc laughing from here!!!!!!
    

    .284
    
        The scoreline should have been about 7 or 8 nil last night to the
    team that cost 1 million pounds if our team should be beating teams
    like Ayr by this scoreline all the time then how many should Rangers be
    beating all the Premier league by every week ?
    

    REPLY 284
    
    Sal you never seen a man so gutted on Wedensday night than George
    Burley he looked so disappointed to be honest the players let him down badly
    and according to West Sound this morning a lot of them who were on
    display last night will only be part timers next year.
    I think a man of Burley"s stature and professionalism deserves a lot
    better commitment than his troops gave him on Wednesday.
    
    

    
    
     Well lads, as the season draws to a close, what are your highs and
    lows of the past 9 months?
    
     I'll start the ball rolling.
    
    High points (not many I know!)
    
     Beating Dundee and St. Johnstone in the Skol cup before loosing to the
    eventual winners in the quarter-finals.
    
     Being at Greenock as the machine came back from a 3-1 deficit with 3
    goals in the last 12 minutes.
    
     Returning from a 4-1 drubbing at Fir Park in the Scottish Cup, driving
    past Bugme Park and hearing live on the radio a certain Tommy Burns
    missing from the penalty spot as Killie crashed out to the mighty
    Meadowbank. :-) :-) :-)
    
  
      Lows - too many to mention.
    
    B@Q Cup Final.
    
    Loosing both home games to Kilmarnock and Partick Thistle.
    
    Not being able to sustain our early season form.
    
    Every time that Davie Kennedy and Lee Gardner started a game.
    
     and many many more!!!
    
    Danny.

    This season...
    
    
                All that realy should be said is Ayr are a very average
    side ,who can play a wee bit when there is no pressure on them.The real 
    test of a good side is when they can perform every week to a high level
    wither its a sunny Aug. day or a cold Nov night,Ayr I'm affraid dont
    measure up.
             I think GB is the man for the job, but with no backing at all
    from the board I think the 1st offer he gets he'll be off..then its
    back to the 2nd div Im affraid.
    
    
    
    
    HIGHS.....
    
              1st  Dundee in Aug 4-2....Who can forget big All droping his
    kegs.
              2nd  Hibs in Aug 0-2....I thought we played brilliant that
    night and so did Burrige..
              3rd  StJ  in Aug  2-0   Gregg Shaws 30 yarder
    
              4rth  Greenock     4-3   outstanding
    
              5th   Coventry     3-1    Shaw's header
    
    
    WORST    1st  the 3 games against the vermin of gods earth!!!
    
             2nd  the 2 home games against thistle
    
             3rd  the cup final
    
             4rth  all the silly wee teams that beat us......
    
    
    The future .....I think unless there is some form of take over Ayr will 
    be 100% patime within 3years and will remain in the 1st forever with
    the occational apperance in the 2nd..
    Unlike the 3000 partimers up the A77 I'll be there when ever I can,this 
    may sound like sour grapes .....thats because it is !!!!!
    
    one let down(badly)united fan......over and out and back to the dark
     room Ive been in for the last 24hrs..
    
    
    Graeme.....
    
    

    re 285.
    
    
     Maybe the Scottish League should create a special catogary in the
    league tables just for Killie ,they could sandwich it between goals for 
    and goals against and call it the goals Killie should have scored,
    I think this seasons tally would have been about 200.
    Okay Brian Killie won back the silver,fair enough,but wise up please.
    Anyway I thought you watched Hurlford Utd   8-).
     
                                Graeme....
    
    
    

    RE.287   
         lads,
             High's And low's for me
      
    I've only missed five games this season and i've seen most of the
    up's and down's, mostly down's so here they are 
    
         
    HIGH'S
          the month of August when were top of the league [not for long
    though],the skol cup victories over St Johnstone and Dundee.
    
          Beating Dundee 4-1 in october
    
          3 goals in twelve minutes at cappielow
    
          Partick thistle beating killie with a controversial goal to
    end their promotion hopes.
    
          Ally graham's hat trick at kirkcaldy
    
    
    
    LOW'S
         Taking no points off partick.
    
         losing silly goals to stirling.
    
         not beating the scumbag's
    
         Cammy duncan getting injured 
    
    I think that sum's it up
    
        According to todays newspapers some of the players that played
    on wednesday will be told to take a parttime contract or move on.
      
    what's the verdict on that?
    
    
    FIN.....

    Fin,
    
    
        I have some info for you...
    
    
          1st...Norman Montgomery the Glens 40 goal hero will sign a two
    year deal with United.
    
    
         2nd....there is going to be a massive clearout at the end of the
    season....6 of the clowns that lost the silver at Killie will turn part
    time or go...Ive heard that GB wants them to go..and the names Ive
    heard are Kenedey,Bryce,Smith,Walker,Gardnerand Purdie.
    
        3rd...The u18 goalie will make his debut tomorrow.
    
        4rth...The board are having a meeting to see if GB will get the 50K
    he wants for players next season...
    
    Graeme..

               Giants 0  Montrose 0      Crowd....1300
      
    
    Rumours...The latest is John (is it)Balverage  StJohnstone is to sign.
    
    
    Graeme....

    sal,
        IT'S john Balavage, he's not a bad keeper, helped St Johnstone
    get promotion.
    
    fin.....
     

    LADS
       If the rumours are right we will be signing FIVE new players,
    
       could this be the team next season
    
                          Balavage or Duncan
    
           Traynor   Furphy             Howard  Agnew

                            Watson
    
                    George  Mclean  Elliot
    
                    Graham       Maskrey
    
    subs Montgomery Mcturk
    
    cheers FIN ......

    
    
     Fin,
    
        I take it that Watson is the guy from Airdrie, ex Dunfermline.
    Personally, I hope he doesn't sign as he's past his best and would only
    be coming to Somerset to see out his career. Bad move I think. Elliot I
    presume is the guy from Killie. He could be a good signing for us, he's
    got a fair bit of ability and could be the wide player that Burley is
    looking for. Maskery would be a good signing, he's proved in the past
    that he'll score goals.
    
     However, once again the big stumbling block is cash or lack of it. The
    3 players mentioned are presumably all full-time with their current
    club and would, even if signed on full-time contracts, be taking a drop
    in wages if they come to Somerset. We have to get loads a money from
    somewhere to hopefully get the players that we need to sustain a
    promotion challenge next season.
    
      Danny.
    
    ps With Tommy Burns being appointed manager of the wee scabby club in
    the north of ayrshire, I confidently tip them to win the league next
    season. He'll get some cash to buy 3 or 4 good quality players that
    they are currently short of. I hope I'm proved wrong but if it,
    remember where you heard it first.

    
    
     After Saturday's utterly boring goaless draw against relegated
    Montrose (who deserved the 2 points), Ayr go into the final game of the
    season on Saturday at home to Morton needing a victory to hoist them
    above Morton into 6th spot. If successful, this will be Ayr's highest
    league position in 10 years so I suppose we should be slightly pleased.
    Hopefully Burley will have them wound up and they manage to win the
    game. After Saturday I pray that the mass clear-out will begin!
    
     Danny.
    
    

    I see that today's Daily Record states that Garry Agnew is wanted
    by Dundee.Personally,I would hate to see him go but if it's only
    way to recoup some cash then let's hope Ayr sell him for a decent
    sum.I think that you can always get by with an average full back
    so I say let's sell Agnew and give the cash straight to Burley for
    players.

    Lawrance,
    
            I have to agree with you again wee man,we have got to sell one 
    of our "big three", either Furphy,Agnew or Graham in order to raise the
    cash the board can't supply.I think if it was me I would try and punt
    Furphy,but I suppose its down to what other teams want.
            Dundee seem to be scooping all the young stars in the lower
    divs i.e Richie and Christie for 80K and 60K, so there might be some
    truth in this one . How much do you think Gazza would fetch, me thinks
    about 60K max....
    
    
    Graeme...

    I think that I would be quite disappointed if we only received 60k
    for Agnew,as I really honestly believe that he is our main asset
    at the moment,let's not forget that Agnew is on the verge of receiving
    an Under 21's cap.If you consider the money that Sweeney of Clydebank is
    valued at then we must be looking at realistically 200k for
    Agnew.However,I must admit there isn't many teams in Scotland who
    would part with that amount of money for him,especially since he
    is yet to really prove himself.I only hope we don't let him go for
    under 100k.

    Along with Elliot, it would be worth Burley having a serious look at
    Burgess and Campbell Clark, both frees from Kilmarnock. 
    
    Elliot was rumoured to be on trial with Ayr around Xmas time last
    year. 
    
    I hear that Davie Kennedy has taken a free rather than go part -time.
    
    
    rgds ... Stevie
    
    
    
    PS what about the new strip !!
    

    re last
    
     Surely "Zico" Kennedy doesn't expect to sign full time for any other
    team! After all, they'll all be bigger and better than Ayr.
    
     The strip was modelled at half-time on Saturday. All I'll say is that
    the young female parading it was a damn sight more attractive than the
    strip.
    
     Danny.

    
    
            I heard yesterday that GB made his first signing,a 16 year old
    left winger from Chelsea.It appears that the player is a local lad from 
    Prestwick and was a Scottish youth cap last year.Does anyone have any
    info on the player?
           
    Graeme...
    
     

    Sal is his second name Scott, they have signed a young lad I think that
    was the name I heard.

       
    
    
         Sorry Billy the name doesn't ring a bell.I heard that Willie
    Furphy has  excepted a part time contract.Walker and Bryce have not
    and are looking for other clubs.
         The only fooltimers left will be Howard,Graham,George,Agnew,
    McLean,Duncan and Gardner.
    
    Graeme...
     

    re-1
    
    graeme,you got that right 
    
    "the only FOOLtimers left" they must be to stay at Ayr Utd....
    
     SQF Jambo

    Sal the boys name is Barry Scott.

    RE .303
    As previously mentioned Ayr's latest signing is Barry Scott from
    Prestwick.He was originally an 's' Form with Hibs,then he accepted
    a contract with Chelsea.However,he got homesick and asked to be
    released.He returned home in February and signed on with Ayr Boswell
    Boys Club Under 18's.He was highly rated before joining Chelsea
    and since returning home he has been on trial with Dundee United,
    St Johnstone,Kilmarnock and Ayr United.The first two clubs were
    only willing to offer him a month to month contract at the moment
    and both Ayrshire teams were willing to offer him Y.T.S. He has
    obviously opted for Ayr however having seen him playing for Ayr
    Boswell several times I am not so sure about him he certainly is
    a tricky player he isn't very tall in fact he is extremely similar
    to Lee Gardner.He has plenty of time to develop so you never can
    tell what he is going to be like in a year or so and he could turn
    out to be an asset.

    Re the free transfers, does anyone think any of the "frees" would make
    good Juniors. Auchinleck are on the look out for a centre half IF big 
    Sam McCulloch retires. Any thoughts?.
    

    
    
    Ayr have finally announced who won't be at Somerset next season.
    
     Freed - Stuart Auld, Robert Brown, Mike Smith and Steve Vincent.
    No surprises here although I would have hoped to pick up some cash for
    Smith. They are all full-time so some money will be saved there.
    
     On offer - Willie Furphy, Tommy Bryce, David Kennedy, Greg Shaw and
    Lee Gardner who have all refused new contracts.
    
     Furphy, the club captain who has picked up a couple player of the year
    awards, is angry with what has been offered to re-sign. According to
    reports in the Daily Express, he's been offered the same as 2 years ago
    when he last signed a new contract. He has been with Ayr for 6 seasons
    and club captain for the past 2. If what he say's is correct, I can
    only imagine Burley is trying to force him out. Kilmarnock, Partick and
    Sheffield United are reported to be interested. He has been Ayr's
    outstanding player for the past 3 or 4 seasons. I hope we can get some
    good money for him.
    
     The others won't be missed with the exception possibly of Greg Shaw.
    He attracted a lot of interest early last season but this seems to have
    tapered off as the goals have dried up. Again, we may get a decent
    offer for him.
    
     Danny.

    
    
     Just when we thought it was safe.....
    
    
      We've been drawn away to Partick Thistle in the 2nd round of next
    season's Skol/League cup. What's our chances of actually beating them
    this time?
    
     Danny...

    none
    

    A bit late for this perhaps but in true Ayr United fashion, I've been
    injured for the latter part of the season. ;-)
    
    Highs
    -----
    Beating Dundee and St Johnstone in the Skol.
    Scoring 3 in 12 minutes at Cappilowe
    Gubbing Meadowbank 7-0. (I wish they had got relegated)
    Duncan George equalising against the 'Well
    Ally's hat-trick at Kirkcaldy.
    
    Lows
    ----
    Our crap part-time support
    Losing to Kilmarnock
    Losing to Stirling
    Our crap board of directors
    Furphy being put on the list
    Every time I had to read how Ayr have no money and must sell to get
    cash for new players.
    Missing 2 games out of 55.
    
    Kev...

    I don't see why you can't be happy with the Skol cup draw against
    Partick Thistle, if the Tolbet can take 4 goals off them Ayr can do
    the same.
    
    Or will Partick sign all of the Tolbet team for the match against Ayr.

    LADS,
         Reading the Ayrshire Leader last night it said Partick Thistle
    are interested in Furphy to slot in beside fat SUMO Rae,it said
    it could be a player (Alex Kennedy)plus cash coming to somerset.
    
    I hope the Leader is wrong cos after watching the junior cup final
    Kennedy was utter crap,he was slow as shuch waater as they say.
    
    who would you like to see in the number 4 jersey ????
    
    cheers fin.....

    
    
    
          Today the daily record stated that Ayr have signed Clydebank
    winger Gordon Mair for a nominal fee, this normaly means under 5K.
          I think he is around 31 and as I remember not a bad player
    "in his day".
          What do you all think of this one lads??
    
    
    Graeme....

    sal,
        Gordon Mair is 31,he played with Motherwell before Clydebank.
    I dont know if its a good signing or not.I thought GB would have
    try to sign a younger player in his mid twenties to thirty.I take
    it we wont be signing David Elliot now.


    cheerrs fin.....

    Contrary to popular belief, Gordon Mair will be 34 in September. I
    think this is too old even for Ayr and unless he is on the Gordon
    Strachan diet we'll probably get about 15 games out of him before his
    pension comes through. Add this to other possible signings in Gahagan
    and Russell and we could be going for the oldest midfield on record.
    On the Alex Kennedy signing, 
    
    He is about the worst player I have seen at Somerset since Jimmy
    Lindsay and surely Burley is not so stupid as to think he could replace
    the White Brazilian with a Donkey like him.
    
    Sal, Stop leaving yourself logged in as the phantom noter appears to
    have struck again.
    
    Kev... 

    re-1
    
    Kev.....
    
     that was no phantom noter,It was Sal himself...
    
     honest Guv..I saw him do it (and write the note aswell)
    
     SQF Jambo

    Thanks Kev,,,,
      
    
    
               Whats all this about Russel and Gahagan,is there some news
    on them? ,,,,,info please...
    
               If GB is going to sign two such old wingers as Mair and
    Gahagan,it may be that he is going to use them to fill the same
    position,,, ie one winger on the field at a time ..
    
              But I doubt if he will sign Russel as well, that would be
    pushing the boat out a bit to much.
    
              Do you know the date of the Thistle game??
    
    Graeme..
    
            p.s your right about Kennedy...

    
    'Young' Gordon was definitely brilliant in his days with Notts County;
    at least on the days when he felt like playing.
    
    As David Bowie espouses in "Modern Love"....
    
    
    ....put your faith in Gordon Mair....
    
    Rob 

    Sal,
    	The Ayrshire Post carried a story last week about Russell being
    freed from Fir Park and that Burley could be interested. The News of
    The Screws yesterday carried the story about Gahagan and quoted Ayr as
    chasing him. Christ , if he can't get a game with Morton , why do we
    want him ?? 
    
    The Partick game is either the 11th or 12th of August. It will probably
    depend on other games in Glasgow. I can see the headlines now.....
    "It will give us a chance to concentrate on our league survival"
    "I'm only 7 or 8 players away from the finished article"
    "Injuries have cost us dear, Peter Weir has missed almost a season"
    
    Aside from AUFC. I went along to Hampden on Saturday to see Heathside
    lift the Scottish Amateur Cup and witnessed a far more entertaining
    game than was played at the same venue the week before. Played in good
    spirit, with end to end action and 2 well taken goals it made a pleasant
    change from the "pass-pass-blooter" of the First Division. I wonder if
    that young boy Jimmy McMillan fancies a trial with the Super U's ?? 
    :-)    (He's 35)
    
    Kev...

    
    
           Any news on how the Ayr teams done at the International tourney
    at Rozzelle.
    
          Is there no transfer talk in the local papers or in the Dec
    canteen???
    
    Graeme..
    
    
    

    
    I"ll find out today how the teams got on. (Advertiser out today)
    
    No transfer talk in the canteen at the moment, all very quiet.
    
    Kev...

    SAL,KEV
           Ayr Boswell U 14's (lawrence's team) won the scotland cup.
           
           Ayr utd U18's got to the quarter final stage but got knocked out
    by Dungannon Swifts who won the Scotland cup.
       
           I watched the U18's in there first game and Barry Scott stood
    out amile he's a nippy wee player,we also had a coloured boy playing
    for us at central defence who was outstanding dont know who he was
    though.
    
         Abit of scoop i heard Willie Furphy is going to Falkirk and Greg
    Shaw is going to St Johnstone,I dont know how much though.
         I also heard GB signed a midfielder from an east kilbride team at
    the youth tournement.
    
    Fin........
         

    Auchinleck Talbot have signed Stewart Auld from Ayr Utd to replace the
    current centre half who is retiring. I remember Auld when he played for
    Pollok and believe he went to Clydebank after the '86 Junior cup final,
    he must have went to Ayr after that. Any info on him guys??.
    
                                         Talbots SQF spy.
    

    
    Stuart Auld is 33 (approx) and played for Ayr for one season. He was
    with Pollok until '86 as you said and then moved to Clydebank followed
    by a move to Airdrie 2 seasons later. While at Broomfield he suffered
    a punctured lung which kept out for almost a year and effectively ended
    his career. Ayr bought him from Airdrie at the beginning of last season
    and he played about 15-20 games. Latterly he did not figure at all in
    either the first or reserve teams and I don't think he has played since
    February or March. He is a good positional player, not tall for a
    centre-half, but gets up well in the air (perhaps not as good as he
    did) his worst problem is he is dead slow on the ground and a fast
    striker will leave him for dead 9 times out of 10. He is probably best
    remembered at Somerset for a shocking pass-back which let some hoopy
    maggot in to score. :-)
    
    I reckon the Talbot will be lucky to get a full season out of him, as
    the number of games played by the juniors is far more than the senior
    clubs have.
    
    p.s.
    
    >>>>>>	-< AULD DEPARTS AYR AND MOVES UP. >-
    					^^^^^^^^^
    
    Does your boss know your on drugs at your work ????????
    
    :-)
    
    Kev...
    

    
    Tommy bryce is going back to his old club Clydebank for a nominal fee.
    
    It's all very quiet just now and probably will be till the start of
    July when hopefully we'll see GB making a few signing's before the new
    season gets under way on the 1st of August when were at home to
    Dunfermline and then Meadowbank on the Tuesday night.it wont be long
    till we know the rest of the fixtures.
    
    When are the new strips on sale??????
    
    
    Fin......... 

    Well lads here is a copy of our fixtures for Season 92/93,let's
    hope it brings us better fortunes.
    August
    1st  DUNFERMLINE
    4th  MEADOWBANK
    8th  Clydebank
    15th Raith Rovers
    22nd KILMARNOCK*
    29th Hamilton
    
    September
    5th  MORTON
    12th COWDENBEATH
    19th Dumbarton
    26th St.Mirren
    
    October
    3rd  STIRLING ALBION
    10th Dunfermline
    17th CLYDEBANK
    24th Morton
    31st HAMILTON
    
    November
    7th  RAITH ROVERS
    14th Kilmarnock*
    21st DUMBARTON
    28th Cowdenbeath
    
    December
    5th  ST.MIRREN
    12th DUNFERMLINE
    19th Meadowbank
    26th Raith Rovers
     
    January
    2nd  KILMARNOCK*
    16th Hamilton
    23rd MORTON
    26th STIRLING ALBION
    30th Clydebank
    
    February
    13th MEADOWBANK
    20th St.Mirren
    27th Dumbarton
    
    March
    6th  COWDENBEATH
    10th Dunfermline
    13th CLYDEBANK
    20th Kilmarnock*
    27th RAITH ROVERS
    
    April
    3rd  Morton
    10th HAMILTON
    17th Cowdenbeath
    24th DUMBARTON
    
    May
    1st  Meadowbank
    8th  ST.MIRREN
    15th Stirling Albion
    
                                 Cheers

    
      Look boys,
             Instead of wasting your's and the companys time gossiping
     about a second rate bunch of no hopers, do yourselves a favour and
    start supporting a decent club, like ..say..COWDYDEATH!!!!!!!!!1

    Moderators,
    	
    Plese move note .330 to it's rightful home
    
    Topic 50 should do.
    
    Kev

    
      ref : 49.330
        No wonder thay call you FUD face.

    Did anyone notice the advertisement in Saturday's Daily Record offering
    a large quantity of Ayr United shares for sale.It doesn't give a
    name just a box number to apply to.Does anybody know who is selling?
    Is it Callaghan's shares? It seems strange to advertise them in
    the Record especially when there is an Articles for Sale in the
    Ayrshire Post. :-)

    Whoever is selling them better be prepared to hold onto them for a very
    long time,because i cant see anyone in there right mind buying them.
    mind you  knowing  the Ayrshire folk there could be more takers than i
    think, but never mind maybe some day they will all see sence.
                                                    col.

    re-last.  Mmmmmmmmm I wonder who wrote that one.
    
    Graeme.

    
    Right Suckheads......
    
    who can give me the dates for our pre season friendlies.
    
    Is it still Sunderland,Southampton & Motherwell ???
    
    Del

Del, (Dildo)


	Give us a break...Heathside Amateurs, Drongan or perhaps
	even Civil Service Strollers would be more in line with your 
	teams' capabilities.

	What are Ayr going to do with no Derby game once Kilmarnock
	go into the new super league ?

	They could maybe take on Digital Amateurs in a head to head.
	Sure it would be a tight game.

Dave

    Deldo,
    	
    	I'll hazard a wild guess at the following;
    
    	21st July   Southampton or Sunderland
    	23rd July   Motherwell
    	25th July   Maybole Juniors (prestigous Carrick Speakers Trophy)
    	28th July   Sunderland or Southampton
    
    Probably all wrong of course........
    
    
    Kev.......

    A revised pre-season friendly list;
    
    18th July   (a) Stranraer      Saturday 3pm
    21st July   (h) Southampton    Tuesday  7:30pm
    23rd July   (h) Motherwell     Thursday 7:30pm
    27th July   (a) Glenafton      Monday   ??????  at Ladywell Stadium
    28th July   (h) Sunderland     Tuesday  7:30pm 
    29th July   (a) Maybole        Wednesday ?????  at Ladywell Stadium
    
    Went down last night to get my season ticket (steps back and waits for
    inevitable slaggings......) and the ticket sales don't appear to be
    doing too well compared to last year. I bought last years ticket on the
    7th of June and I was ticket #179. This year I buy it on the 9th of
    July and I'm #71......
    
    
    Kev....

    
    Ok bears....just 'cause there is nothing happening at Somerset doesn't
    mean we have to lose interest in here. The season starts in approx
    6 weeks...so what would you consider a successful season ?
    
    Lets keep the replies reasonably sensible...ie no smart arse replies
    from the jambo topic...or me old boss..pecker !
    
    
    Last season we finished 6th which was a good improvement on the season
    before. I would like us to make the same improvement again this season
    but to be honest I can't see it. I reckon with the players we have at
    present and the lack of cash to strengthen the side we'll do well to
    finish in the top half of the league. 
    
    A successful season for me would be to see the side again finish at
    worst 6th and to at least once this coming season...beat the filth !    
    Del

    A successful season ?
    
    Whit's that ?
    
    Seriously, this year we will be lucky to retain the heady heights of
    6th spot in the league. One new signing will not make that much of a
    difference, so we have to look to Super Cammy to keep the scores down
    and perhaps Ally Fraser to use some of his potential (what am I saying
    ?????) and provide good crosses for Dobbin to bullet home with his
    case-hardened napper. Beating the Strippet Squirrels would be nice,
    preferably at home on Jan 2 by about 4-0 or so, that's not too much to
    ask is it ?
    
    I'lle settle for 44-48 points and safe before the end of March.
    
    Kev.....

    
       With the transfers of Smith,Bryce,Auld and Brown,also the loss of
    Weir our squad is looking very thin.With this in mind I can't see us
    improving very much at all.
       Maybe the fact that our very young team is all a year older and that
    the best keeper in the division is back from injury we should be more
    positive.
       If we can get kicked out of the B+Q and Skol early we could keep
    fresh legs for the league and maybe pick up some more points.
       But the bottom line is we need cash for players,without it promotion
    will remain a pipe dream..
    
    Graeme..

    Without trying to upset anyone :-)
    
     you's have about as much as chance of winning promotion as Hearts do
     of winning the EUFA Cup...
    
     SQF Jambo

    Sal is Cammy Duncan going to be fit for the start of the season the
    talk about here is that he is struggling can you shed any light on
    that.

    Cammy will be fit........
    
    
    
    
    
    Kev....

    Billy,
    
            It stated in the "Advertiser" that he looks set to make it for
    the start of the season.Although I wonder just how effective he will be
    after such an indjury.I dont think he will be the same player but time
    will tell.Here's hoping......
           Whats the latest signing news from up the road in Gotham City ?
    Is McClusckey getting a contract or not ?Whats your views on the
    player?
    
                            Graeme....

    Sal I beleive at this moment he is still training with Killie but
    whether he has signed a contract or not nobody seems to no.
    

    
    
    Heard Purdie is on the list at his own request,what do you all think of
    this latest departure from God's country???
    
    Graeme...

    
             STRANRAER 0  AYR UNITED  3
                           Gardner (2)
                           Graham
    
        Seems like a fairly good result with goals from Danny and Derek's
    favorites ....8-).
        Were any of you there ? If so what was the performance like ,what
    was the team and how did Mair play..?
    
        Graeme..
    
     

    
     Can someone give a report on tonights game.
    
    
    ... Stevie

    
    
    
           Ayr United  1  Southampton  0
                          
    
    GRA.
    
    

    Can someone tell me who scored for Ayr and what the team was.
    
    rgds ... Stevie

    
    
    Team... Cammy
            Zico
            McVie
            Furphy
            Nige
            Mair
            McLean
            George
            Gardner
            Walker
            Dobbin     Subs Hood McTurk Shaw,Frazer...Scorer ....Zico.

    
    	AYR 1  MOTHERWELL 2
    

    
    
           Can anyone give more details on the Motherwell game??
    
    
                Graeme...

    Ayr's first 3 friendlies are behind them now and 2 wins and a loss is
    about right. 
    
    V Stranraer  3-0  An easy victory for Ayr against a Stranny side
    showing a lot more new signings than Ayr. Danny Diver, Pat Kelly and
    Ex-scumbag Steven Cody all played for Stranraer but looked far from
    fit.  Early play was scrappy with both sides taking time to settle in a
    strong wind and the new passback rule certainly made a difference. 
    Some heavy tackling by Stranraer saw 3 Ayr players requiring treatment
    in the first 20 minutes and Traynor was subbed at half-time after a
    challenge from Butler. Lee Gardner latched onto a through ball from
    Shaggy and his 16 yard effort beat Duffy for the opener after 22
    minutes. Half-time saw the introduction of Tucker,Dobbin Hoody and Zico
    and another fine cross from Gardner found Dobbin with time and space to
    place a header under Duffy for the second.  With seconds left, Gardner
    fired home his second after an excellent series of 1-2's with Howard
    and Tucker. Sanny was so upset with the Stranraer players he ordered
    them back onto the pitch at full-time for extra training. Funniest
    sight had to be a very drunk Bill McWilliams being refused entry and
    then attempting to watch the game by climbing the bandstand outside.
    
    Tuesday saw a similar Ayr side taking the field against Southampton
    at Somerset and an excellent 1-0 victory was the result. Star man for
    me was again Lee Gardner with Shaggy and Mair also having good games.
    Saints were outplayed the first half and as usual a host of subs were
    introduced at half-time. Highlights for me were Duncan George taking
    the pi$$ out of Hurlock, Shaggy playing keepy-uppy through the midfield
    during the build-up to the goal, Zico slamming in the winner and the 
    way Ayr generally played far better than their illustrious (?)
    opponents. Bad points were Southampton's boring "cavalry charge"
    forward at every Ayr break, the performance of the ref, Willie Young
    who was absolutely shocking, and the way the passback rules are being
    "bent" already. Whenever the Saints got an indirect free-kick near
    their own goal, the guy got down and "kneed" the ball back to the
    keeper. A crap crowd of 1700 watched the game.
    
    Thursday brought the first real test when Motherwell arrived. Ayr
    matched them in every way until we scored. Shaggy rounded Nijholt only
    to caught around the ankle as he homed in on goal. He took the penalty
    and slammed it home. Motherwell then stepped up at least one gear and
    for the last 25 minutes had Ayr under real pressure. Cammy had two very
    good saves during this period but was powerless to stop Nijholts
    penalty equaliser after Furphy was adjudged to have fouled Steve
    "Polaris" Kirk. With 2 minutes or so left some clever play left Kirk
    with easiest of chances and he made the final score 2-1 to the 'well   
    
    Sunderland tomorrow night......
    
    
    Kev....
    	

    
    Hi.......
    
    Ive just popped into this 2nd Division topic to introduce myself.....
    
    My names Dougie and Colin was telling me that this is the topic 
    to get all the banter in ??? well you have to have a sense of humour
    supporting Ayr after all  :-)
    
    I'm just back from Robbos testimonial match against Newcastle,where a 
    crowd of about 17,000 turned up.Do you think you will get that many
    fans in total at all your home games this season. 
    
    TaTaForNow.....
    
    yet another SQF Jambo  

    
    
    re last
    
           Oh dear, here comes another loony!!!
    
    Welcome to the football note, stick to your own note for discussions
    about average teams always blowing competitions.
    
    ps I'm sitting here glancing through the Daily Rangers. Attendance last 
    night was 11,105, 4,000 up on Saturdays attendance against Spurs. Just
    where did you get 17,000 from? 
    
     Danny.

    re .357 
    									
    >>>   Ive just popped into this 2nd Division topic to introduce myself.....
    				 ^^^^^^^^^^^^
    Oh dear, another of those nice Hearts supporters has strayed into a
    football topic to display his vast knowledge of the game......
     
    >>>    My names Dougie and Colin 
   
    One name not good enough for you ?????
     
    >>>I'm just back from Robbos testimonial match against Newcastle,where a 
    >>>crowd of about 17,000 turned up.
    		      ^^^^^^
    How many millions and millions of times have you been told not to
    exaggerate ????
    
    Banter ?
    
    Whit's that ?
    
    Kev.......;-)
    
    

    
    Mod,
         re. 359 ....let me explain...
    
    Here on the west coast the name Dougie (or Doogie) is slang for
    the private parts of the male anatomy. I just felt he was well
    named. :-)
    
    Del

    Howdy troops.....and Danny,Kev and Del.... :-)
    
    well how goes it...are you's ready for another season of goodwill
    and banter ????
    
    as for the attendance at the wee man's testimonial last night,I could
    swear there was more than a crowd of 11,000ish .........maybe 
    WallARSE Mercer pocketed some for himself.........
    
    SQF Jambo...
    
    
     P.S......
    
     I'm to blame for Dougies note,so don't be too hard on him,till he
     finds out how to note properly
    

    
    
               Ayr United  0  Sunderland  0
    
    It seems 2 trialists made their debuts with Ayr tonight.
    
    The lucky guys were Graeme Robertson ex Partick and Ron McQuiltter ex
    Gotham...By all accounts they did well.
    
       Gra..

    
    Sal
    
    Is that McQuiltter ex-Gotham City ?
    
    

    
    Ayr United 0 - 0 Sunderland
    
    The score does not reflect either the balance of play or the action in
    the game. Sunderland deserved to win on the night but poor finishing
    and 3 *excellent* saves by Cammy kept the scoresheets blank. Ayr
    fielded Graeme Robertson at right-back and Ronnie McQuilter at
    centre-half. Both had been arranged as trialists with a view to
    signing in place of the White Brazilian but it appears Furphy has
    signed a month's contract so how the situation will progress, we will
    have to wait and see. On the showing last night and in his games for
    the Maryhill Magyars, I would sign Robertson as he is a free agent and
    after Howard was subbed last night he moved in as sweeper between the
    Furph and Hoody and played really well. McDuvet , I'm not sure about,
    he is two-footed but his passing was pretty bad, mind you , it might
    take a while before his dreadful experience in Never-Never Land wears
    off.
    
    Sunderland started very fast and almost scored in the first attack but
    Cammy brought off an excellent stop to concede a corner. Ayr fell
    foul of the updated pass-back rules when Agnew deliberatley headed to
    Cammy who picked it up almost on the byeline and gave away a fruitless
    free-kick. A lot of midfield play involving Gardner (who is expected to
    sign a month's full-time contract) and George and some North of England
    thug called Gary Owers would surely have resulted in the yellow card
    being shown had it not been a friendly. This guy Owers is a complete
    headcase and I would reckon 80% of the fouls committed by S'land were
    by this tube. I was glad when he was subbed. Little else to report on
    the game except for Cammy's saves and a last-ditch Paul McLean tackle in
    the last minute to deny Byrne who only had to roll the ball into an
    empty net after Cammy had ran out to challenge a through ball and
    missed. Oh Aye, and John Colquhoun is a diving wee turd.
    
    Team; Duncan,Robertson,Agnew,Furphy,Howard,McQuilter,George,Walker,
    	  Graham,Gardner,Mair.  Subs, Hood,McLean 
    
    Davie Kennedy has signed a 1-year part-time contract and Shaggy is
    expected to do likewise when he comes back his holidays.	
    
    The pups lost 2-1 to the Glens on Monday night. They play Maybole
    tonight and Kello on Monday.
    
    Kev...

    
    I would like to see us sign Robertson. He's never been outstanding
    but he is a solid/no frills style full back who'll do a good job
    in the 1st Div. Don't know about McQuilter though. Although Agnew was
    a gift from Gotham, McQuilter isn't in the same class and although he's
    two footed he is also very slow. 
    
    Bring on The Pars...
    
    Del.
    
    ps. Any predictions for Saturday
    
    

    re. 366
    
>>MADBAS::DREES "the black & white machine"            14 lines  29-JUL-1992 13:32
    
    >>    I would like to see us sign Robertson. He's never been outstanding
      ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    I'd like to see you at a game !
    
    >>  Don't know about McQuilter though. Although Agnew was
    
    I'm not surprised you don't know about McDuvet, you've never even seen
    him !
    
    >> McQuilter isn't in the same class and although he's
    >>two footed he is also very slow. 
    
    How do you know he's slow ? You been conversing with squirrels ?
    
    
    >>ps. Any predictions for Saturday
    
    Aye, the ground will be fairly empty. We will all be wearing black &
    white. It will be a close game and.......
    
    You won't know the score until you see it on the telly !
    
    Altogether now......
    
    PART-TIME SUPPORTER ,YOUR JUST A PART-TIME SUPPORTER !
    
    ;-)
    
    Kev...

    
    
    
     I have a feeling that we'll do the work on Sat. I'll stick my neck out
    and go for 1-0 ,2-1  the Giants..
    
    As for Del, if I can make a 140 round trip ,he must be able to stagger
    the 200yds or so from his house.Or will he be supping ale at the Hunter
    Bowl...mmmmmmm..
    
    
    Horse Shoe bar at 2pm okay with you Kev.
    
    Gra...

    
    Hello fellow space cadets...
    
    Read an interesting article in tonights Evening News about football
    in Ayrshire or rather the lack of it.
    the 2 page article was mostly centered on Kilmarnock,but Ayr Utd did
    manage to reserve a paragragh.It seems that us boys in the big city
    have been oblivious to what has been happening to the Killie.
    The reporter (I cant remember his name) but he was really gunning for
    the Killie to be allowed to join the super league as they were the only
    team in Ayrshire who could be relied upon to attract non-ridiculious
    crowds.
    The article went on to say that Ayr were known in the football circle
    as the Artic Pole,everyone knows where it is but no one wants to go
    there.
    As the wind of change sweeps through Edinburgh and ground sharing seems
    inevatable,would'nt it be constructive for Ayr Utd to play there home
    games at Kilmarnocks training pitch.
    So as the season approaches,I wish to send my sincere good wishes to
    both clubs and I'll be keeping my eyes on both ends of the league to
    see how yous are doing and to judge for myself who is No 1 in Ayrshire.
    
    
    SQF Jambo  

    
    re.367
    
    Kev, forget all these questions about the footy..what the boys really
    want to know is....
    
    Did you or didn't you...nudge nudge wink wink say no more....
    
    Did you muffle the duffle ???
    
    If you don't give us an answer..I'm popping my head over the divide
    between us and finance and asking myself...!!!
    
    ps. We have signed Robertson on a month's contract....whoopee
    
    Del
                              

    Sal,
    	 2pm sounds Ok to me. 
    
    
    Del,
    
    You are being ignored.....
    
    End Of Story.

    Kev,
    
        What about this guy McQuilter ,do you think that GB will offer him
    a contract,if so does this mean the end for Furphy? Also what do you
    think the reason was for only signing Robertson on a one month
    contract?
    
            Graeme

    Sal,
    	Last night's Leader says "he will be talking to both" but I've been
    told that McQuilter is leaving the country soon so I don't think he'll
    be signing. Furphy is , and always has been a first-choice but when he
    had not signed, Burley had to bring in someone who could cover. Furphy
    had been given a *substantial* rise in basic wages but is holding out
    from signing for 1 or 2 years because he wants a signing on fee as
    well.
    	We have signed Robertson on a months contract because that is how
    long Furphy has signed for and it will give Burley an option if Furphy
    won't sign another contract. But if Furphy does sign we don't need
    another fullback/sweeper. We already have Kennedy,Traynor,Agnew,McVie
    Burley,Howard and possibly Furphy.
    
    Kev.... 

           Ayr United 1   Dumfermline Athletic   1
             Mair             Kenedy o.g
    
            I suppose this is not a bad start to the season,but realy Ayr
    should have had both points.Dumferline controled the 1st half with
    power rather than skill and in true Dumfermline style were kicking
    everything that moved.The best chance in the 1st half fell to Robrtson 
    of Ayr who shot high and in the corner but Hamilton in the Pars goal
    got to it.Dumfermline had taken the lead about 10mins earlier,and the
    goal was a total nightmare for Ayr ,all Kenedy had to do was dip his
    head and the cross would have ended up in ths stand.Instead he stuck
    out his head ,,,and boom top corner with Cammy all at sea.
            Shortly after the baffon was sent of along with McWilliams for 
    streetfighting!!
            The 2nd half was all Ayr with Graham missing several before
    McTurk shaved the post with a 20 yarder.Then came the goal ,good work
    from Robertson saw the ball spinning out to Mair at the corner of the 
    box who let loose with a first time shot into the keepers bottom left
    corner.
            BTW Dumfrmline waisted about 10 mins with fake injuries....
    
    Duncan ***  Poor by his own standards
    Robertson *** Poor passer but invlved all the time ,should sign him..
    Agnew ***    looked unfit but still gave his all...
    Furphy ****  Great game ,,strolled it...
    Howard ****   "    "        "       "
    Kenedy *     NIGHTMARE
    Gardner ***  A lot better..But needs to give more...
    George  ***  Not his greatest match,,tackled well..
    Mair   ****  MOM..quite firt half ,great 2nd half ,,a good player.
    Walker **    Usual.
    Graham **    Usual.
    
    Subs. McTurk ** looked lost at times ,good pace ,unlucky with 20
    yarder.
          Hood ? not used....        Crowd terrible  around 2,500
        

    Gentlemen good any of you tell me if there is a B&Q Cup this year.

    
    There sure is..First round on September 29th
    
    SCott

    
       Any predictions for the game tonight lads,I'll go for 1-0,2-0 Utd.
    
       

    2-0 to the Paint-Spattered United.
    
    
    
    Kev...

    Here is the report on last night's miserable 2-1 defeat from MTFC.
    
    We were crap, they weren't.
    
    End of Story.
    
    A rather upset Kev of AYO.....

    
    2 away wins in our first 2 matches.  Somebody has to bring some success
    to the capital.
    
    Gary.  

    Gary,
    
    What's with the affinity for MTFC ?  They don't have much going for
    them (granted, probably more on the playing field at the moment than
    AUFC), what with a hard core of 100 supporters, about 20 of which do
    any travelling,a terrible stadium where everyone hates to go (fans and
    players alike)no atmosphere at games, and an unmistakeably boring style
    of football. Is is a fashionably "unfashionable" thing to do or what ??
    
    Kev... 

    
    Kev, it probably because it's unfashionable.  Everyone here seems to support
    either Celtic or Rangers (mainly Celtic in Galway).  I've had a soft
    spot for them since they came into the league erspecially as they used
    to have a name like Ferranti Thistle which was really nice.
    
    I've never seen them play but I hope to get across someday.
    
    Thistle have a habit of being involved in the promotion or relegation
    battles.  For something like the first 14 seasons they were never
    outside the top 4 or bottom 4 of their respective division at the
    finish.  They're still the last capital club to have won a championship
    (albeit the 2nd division).
    
    
    Gary.

    Gary,
    
    I thought it would be the unfashionable bit that appealed to you. Their
    own support are some of the weirdest guys your ever likely to meet.
    They hold some of their players in cult status and although there is
    not many of them, they manage to support 2 fanzines (2 more than AUFC I
    might add). They seem to attract a lot of student types as fans as well
    
    If you do manage to get over for a game, you could come to Ayr for it.
    It would be less travelling. They visit again on the 13th of Feb 1993.
    
    Kev... 

    
    
    Gary ,
    
    
          Did you know that Derek Grant of MTFC works at SQF in the stores
    
           also ( and I dont mean this as a swipe ) but I can get my mitts
           
           on the 0-8 thrashing by Killie on  home video two years ago..
    
    
         SQF Killie....
    
    ps: dont watch alone

    
    re:last
    
    make that score 1-8 
    
    
    SQF Killie
    

     
    
    Re.last  Mmmmmmmmmmm, yes, much the same as the 7-0 dooing the GIANTS
    of Ayrshire gave them last season....    ;^).
    
                 SQF HONEST MAN..
    
      

    
    Well Well Well......
    
    The Mighty Ayr Utd get beat at home by the Superb Meadowbank Thistle.
    This doesn't really surprise me as they are the 2nd best team in
    Edinburgh after the Jambo's that is......
    
    as far as I can see,Kilmarnock are the only team in Ayrshire who might
    be capable of maybe snatching a point from the Thistle this season...
    
    SQF Jambo

    
    
    At least one of the Edinburgh sides can come to the west coast
    and win..... :-)
    
    Del

    re-1...
    
    del...Didn't the Scum from leith knock YOU's out of the League Cup 2-0
    last season.So by my reckoning,thats 2 Edinburgh sides who have
    travelled to the west coast in the last year and WON.  :-)
    
    
    
    SQF Jambo

     
    
    Your right Colin...
    
    Meadowbank and Hibs have both proved they can win on the west coast...
    
    whereas the Hearts...they just crap themselves everytime...:-)
    
    Del.

    re-1..
    
    del,
        I'm sure we would'nt crap ourselves against 1st division crap like
    yous.....
    
    SQF Jambo...
    
    B.T.W.
    
    sal,says yous have set up a SQF Jambo supporters club in your local bar
    the horse shoe and that I will be welcome there anytime.  ;-)

    
    Yeh...we've set up a SQFjambo's supporters club in the horse....
    
    it's the first cubicle to the left of the ribbed johnny machine...
    I hear you like a tight squeeze !!!!
    
    Del.
    

    Del,
    
    from what you say,I take it that I would be more than welcome to visit
    the Horse and leave in 1 peice....... :-)
    
     SQF Jambo...
    
    P.S.
    
    We're holding a STAG night for Sal on the 18th August,with Exotic
    dancers,you are more than welcome to come along and we'll show you the
    big City.

    
    
    Was the draw for the B,Q not made today.

    re "can we win it this time"
    
    
     NO
    
     SQF Jambo

    
    Thanks for all the info on Meadowbank.
    
    Gary.

    
    
    
    Ayr utd will play St mirren in the B,Q CUP on sept 29th at somerset.

    RE-1
    
    Lets hope you can beat those Paisley barstewards........
    
    
    SQF Jambo

    
    Oh jolly.....the B&Q Cup...yawn 
    
    Del.
    

    Having now watched Stuart Auld play for Auchinleck three times Ayr must
    have a really good centre half who kept Auld out of the team.
    The man is class both in the air and the ground, yes, another great
    signing for the Talbot.
    

    Stuart Auld is no longer good enough in the air nor on the ground to
    play senior football. Ask any Ayr fan who has watched him over the last
    two seasons. He filled a gap at Ayr when we needed him and good luck to
    him in the junior ranks.
    
    
    Stevie

    Partick Thistle 2 Ayr 0
    Anybody suprised!!!!!!!!

    
    Yup, I'm surprised it wisnae 4 or 5 !!!!
    
    Del.

    rep 401..
    
    
                Jimmy, I think I told you Auld would be a great junior .
    IMHO he would make a great div 2 stopper.His only weakness is against
    a small fast forward ,which the 1st div is full of.
                He was also a lot better than what we have at the moment
    for set pieces and scored 2 or 3 good goals for the Giants,including a
    cracker at Gotham..
                                     SQF HONEST MAN.
    
    P.S another good freebee coming up is Ally Frazer...(sooner rather than
    later )..

    Allo Troops....
    
    I was wondering if you could help me out here !!!
    
     I did'nt manage to catch the full draw for the next round of
     the SKOL cup and I was wondering if maybe you could tell me
     who you's are playing.
    
    SQF Jambo

     
             Raith Rovs  1  Ayr United  0
    
    
            Another game in which we failed to score .
    
            Kev,what was the team and how did they play ?
    
                        Gra...

    
    
    
       I feel its time to call it quits with all you Ayr fans,I have been
    a very bad boy over the last 6 months ,so its sorry with lots of
    kisses...SSSSmmmmmmooooooottttcccccchhhhhhh.
    
     SQF JAMBO

    Sid,
       That Curry must have gone to your head.....!!!!
    
    Boris.

    Raith 1-0 Ayr
    
    A bit more encouraging to watch than Tuesday's gubbing at Firhill. Ayr
    created a lot of chances in the first half and early in the second but
    failed to convert any of them. Tucker had the best chance when he shot
    straight at Tom Carson in the Raith goal and Walker had a goal chalked
    off for an alleged foul by Dobbin on the keeper. A poor punched
    clearance at a corner saw the ball fall to Brewster 20 yards out and he
    fired through a crowded penalty area into the far corner for the only
    goal after 72 minutes. Cammy had a couple of good stops and a fantastic
    leaping save to stop a McStay free-kick which was a homer all the way.
    
    Team;
    Duncan,Kennedy,McVie,Furphy,Howard,Robertson,Traynor,Walker,Graham,George
    and McTurk. Subs, Shaw and Hood.  Shaw on for Tucker after 60 odd mins.
    
    Best for Ayr were Robertson (we *MUST* sign him), McVie and McTurk.
    Poor displays from Traynor and Howard. Big Ally did not look fit
    either.  
    
    A prediction for saturday is 2-0 to Kilmarnock. (God, it hurt typing
    that)
    
    Kev..... 

    
    
     I attended the first game of the season against Dunfermline and left
    thinking that Ayr played reasonably well and deserved at least the
    point they got. Later that night I jetted off to sunnier climes for my
    holibags. Imagine my surprise to return home 2 weeks later and noticed
    that the black and white machine had still to win a game! To make
    matters worse, they had lost at home to the mighty Meadowbank.
    
     However, on reflection, it's still basically the same team as last
    year. They weren't good enough then to maintain a challenge at the top,
    they won't be good enough this season either.
    
     Hopefully there will be an improvement against Killie on saturday, but
    I can't see it. Thankfully I'll be out golfing then so I won't see the 
    gubbing that we'll probably get!!
    
     Danny... (another part-time supporter this season!)

    
    
    
    Sal,
    
        Best of luck on your big day tommorow.....hope everything goes
    according to plan ( except the obvious )...
    
    Like "any" derby the form book goes out the window, however with Ayr's
    goal tally not to clever....
    
    
    You've got a better chance of scoring tommorow at midnight...
    
    and we ALL know the state you'll be in  8-)))))))
    
    
    
    
    SQF Killie...

    Ayr United 2 -0 Kilmarnock.
    
    A fairly easy victory against a lacklustre Kilmarnock who suffered from
    all the hype given to their Skol Cup victory against Hibs. Played in
    terrible conditions, the game was never going to be a classic
    especially with Les Mottram as a referee in a very over-zealous yellow
    card using mood. Kilmarnock did not force Duncan to make one save
    during 90 minutes, but the problems which cost them they game lay at
    the back where Tait looked like little-boy-lost playing against Ally
    Graham and Montgomerie chose Saturday to have his worst game of the
    season (so I'm told). There is no way Killie can hope to tackle an
    aerial threat with a centre-half like Tait. He wouldn't make a good
    centre for a doughnut let alone a football team. Kennedy's goal was 
    well-taken altough I'm inclined to think it was more of a "flick-on"
    than an attempt. Still , Tom Black couldn't clear it and the ball ended
    up nestling behind Geddes. The second goal was a personal nightmare
    for Monty when , after good work by Agnew down the left, he deflected
    Garry's shot past the despairing Geddes and into the net for Ayr's
    second in 51 mins. Ally Graham contrived to miss from 2 yards and
    Traynor was unlucky with a lob from 40 yards. All-in-all a good
    performance with Robertson outstanding in defence again. Only bad
    points were the 5 bookings , which I felt were a bit harsh.
    
    Kev....  

    
    
     Well troops, I retired from the golf after 12 holes on saturday, cold
    very wet and miserable. I then tuned in to Worst Sound and immediately
    my spirits were lifted with a match report from Somerset. Why didn't I
    go, our first win over Killie in 6 attempts and I wasn't there.
    
     Kev, what was the team on Saturday, who did and didn't do well?
    
    ps Your report was very humdrum Kev, I expected a more glowing report
    on the boys performance, a few words of pity for the afflicted etc!
    
     Danny.

    Team;	Duncan 		*** Never tested throughout the 90 mins
    		Kennedy        **** Marked Carpet Burns out of the game
    		Agnew		*** Tireless running on the left as usual
    		Furphy         **** Back to his old self.
    		Howard		*** Solid enough but weak in the air
    		Robertson      **** Star man again. 
    		Traynor	        *** Fairly quiet but did nothing wrong
    		Walker		*** Full of running. Pulled Monty to bits
    		Graham         **** Won everything against Tait.
    		George		*** Solid as usual. Fierce tackling
    		McTurk		*** Fairly Quiet. One attempt in 1st half.
    
    		Shaw		 ** Little time to impress.
    		Mair                Unused.
    
    The reason the match report was fairly bland is because there are at
    least 3 more Derby games this season and while putting Killie to the 
    sword on Saturday was very enjoyable, mouthing off about it might be
    a bit embarrassing if we get gubbed next time around. The Killie noters
    who were at the game will know how badly their team played without me 
    slagging them off in here.
    
    Kev,....   

    Kev,I think you are a bit generous to Traynor saying that he did
    nothing wrong.I thought he had a stinker,his crossing was poor and
    he was caught out of position several times in the 1st half.He almost
    gift wrapped a goal for Killie when he headed a Killie cross straight 
    into the middle of the area and into the path of a Killie player.Anyway
    apart from Traynor I think your assesment was spot on.Gaz Agnew still
    looked a bit unfit but still put in a good performance but Nigel Howard
    gives you heart attacks every time he goes for a high ball as you don't
    know where it is going to end.I am one of Ally Graham's critics and
    despite a gutsy performance from him on Saturday , I still have to ask!
    What about that miss? no striker should miss a chance like that.If the
    scoreline had been 0-0 at the time I think more people would have
    echoed my feelings instead it was a case of "hard luck Ally",rubbish
    he should have buried it.I was also suprised to see McTurk going off as
    I thought he played well and although psycho Walker did well also I
    thought Tommy was heading for a red card,his determination and
    committment is unquestionable but he does go over the top now and
    then!! Anyway a great result but as you say Kev there is three more
    Derby games to go so let's quietly enjoy this moment.
                             Lawrence
    P.S I don't believe it!!! I have just read in today's Sun that we have
    signed a 35 year old Centre Half called Malcolm Shotton from non-league
    Frickley.Apparently we have pulled him out of semi-retirement,he played
    over 400 games for Hull City but got freed after Dale Roberts left.It
    states that Dale Roberts persuaded Burley to sign him.What's your views
    on this one lads?

    
    
    re last,
    
    Anything you read in that rag should be taken with a bucket of salt.
    If the story is true, I can only imagine Burley is bringing him in
    as a coach for the youngsters as John Connelly, last years coach has
    packed it in due to pressures of work. I don't think we'll be seeing
    him challenging for a first team place.
    
     Danny...

    Re last
    This latest signing isn't going to be a youth coach as they have
    already filled John Connolly's position.I imagine that he must be
    getting signed as cover for Howard but even that is odd as we a few
    players currently at the club who filled in at Centre Half and I don't
    suppose they would bring him all the way up here to play for the 
    reserves every week.

    This guy Shotton has not been signed yet. It was expected that he would
    play last night in the reserves against Albion Rovers (1-1, Hood scored
    by the way) but I still find it rather odd that we are even thinking
    about someone that old. 
    
    P.s. Lawrwence, you're right, I forgot about Traynors crap "clearance".
    It's amazing how drink can still affect your memory 2 days later ;-)
    
    
    Kev....

    Two games over the weekend saw Ayr draw one and win one. Saturday's
    point at Hamilton was very luckily obtained although the Accies took
    until 3 mins from the end before their pressure told. Hamilton had the
    best of the first half but it was Ayr who almost scored when Ferguson
    could only parry a shot into the path of McTurk who blasted the ball
    off the bar from 5 yards. Ayr came more into the game nearer half-time
    and a good deep cross from Walker found Super Ally unmarked at the back
    post and he steered a header across goal and in at the far post after
    42 minutes. Hamilton had a goal chalked off for a foul on the keeper
    but the writing was on the wall when Duncan was forced into 2
    outstanding saves to deny McDonald an equaliser. Ayr brought on Mair
    after 50 mins for the injured McTurk but unbeleivably they subbed him
    with 14 mins left. In the time he was on the park (26 mins) he touched
    the ball no more than 5 times. Shaw came on and almost scored straight
    away. Walker forced Ferguson into conceding a corner and Shaw fired the
    loose ball over the bar. Minutes later it was 1-1 when Traynor was
    shafted at right-back for the 23 rd time by McDonald and his cross was
    headed home by Gary Clark.
    
    On Sunday Ayr travelled to Girvan for the Ayrshire semi and ran out 6-0
    winners with Annbank striker Jimmy Carse firing a hat-trick and hitting
    the bar and post. Ayr fielded Willie Spence ex Clydebank in nets and
    Robert White ex St Mirren in defence. 
    
    Kev...

    
    
     I suppose we should be happy with a point from Hamilton, but after
    a fairly good first half Ayr fell to pieces after the break. McTurk
    blasted over from 5 yards, we had a couple of half-chances before Ally
    left Fat Sumo Rae marking space to score with a well directed header.
    Accies hadn't really threatened too often in the first 45. The 2nd half
    was a disaster for Ayr and we were lucky only to concede one. In my
    opinion some of the blame must go to Burley. He took McTurk off from
    right midfield and replaced him with Maher who proceeded to play on the
    left. Every Hamilton move after that went down the left (Ayr's right)
    as no-one was covering the middle of the park. Traynor had a total
    nightmare at full-back and as Kev so eloquently said, was shafted
    umpteen times by MacDonald, eventually leading to their goal.
    
     Cammy Duncan had a couple of brilliant saves and generally looked very
    impressive and confident, especially with high balls into the box. The
    midfield was non-existant in the 2nd half, leaving the defence with an
    awful lot of work to do. 
    
     Danny...

    What is known of Robert White.
    
    
    .. Stevie

    
    He builds COBRA systems in stage 2 :-) :-)
    
    
    
    
    
    

    
    
    Willie furphy and Lee Gardener were both given free transfers on
    monday.
    
    Furphy was offered a month's contract but knocked it back.
    
    it also looks as though GB is set to sign Malcolm Shotten who GB says
    is pretty fit (nothing like Gordon Strachan though)and FAT willie
    spence, for cover for super Cammy.
    
    
    whats the verdict on all of this lads
    

    Re last.
    I just don't understand what is going on at Somerset.How can we justify
    giving one of our few assets a "Free" transfer.I know that there wasn't
    any offers but maybe our asking price was too high,we should be getting
    something for him even 10,000 is better than nothing.As for Gardiner
    his problem is that he thinks he is too good for Ayr just because he
    played for Aberdeen RESERVES,he showed up well during pre season
    matches but he still isn't good enough for Premier football.I agree
    with Burley's idea that if you don't want to play for Ayr then go,but
    at the same time we need to sell players not give them away.I wouldn't
    be suprised if Furphy is snapped up by the Baghdad boys as they have 
    been long admirers of him,it's time the fans let their opinions be
    known to directors of this club as they are pulling us under.
                     One slightly pissed off United fan

    The problem with asking the fans to boycott/barrack/complain is that
    the apathy in the boardroom has also affected the terraces. Remember a
    couple of years back when a walkout was planned for a game against
    Forfar. It never materialised and the board laughed in our faces. Then
    there was Loudon's farcical comments at a supporter's do when he said
    that paying money to watch the team did not mean you could voice an
    opinion at a match. We have taken so much crap from them in the past
    they take it for granted that they can do anything and the fans will
    accept it. Pressure from the fans brought about change at Brockville
    and Devastation City but unless we do are seen to care about the club
    then the board will continue to make ludicrous decisions which will
    inevitably spell the end for Ayr as a football club. And while I'm at
    it, Burley should pack his backs and get lost as his tactical decisions
    during this season have been nothing short of ridiculous. To watch
    Traynor on Saturday get turned inside out for 45 minutes solid was
    painful, yet not one comment was made in the press about that or the
    daft substitution of Mair on for McTurk and then Shaw on for Mair.
    Crazy does not describe it ! 
    
    Give the captaincy to Robertson and the managers chair to Roberts.
    
    
    Kev...

    
    Thats it...I'll noooooooo be back.
    
    The White Brazilian has been our most consistent player for seasons,
    so we free him. Confused...I certainly am.
    
    I guess now that I've bought a house in Gotham there's only one 
    thing left to do..
    
    I'm joining the Baghdad Boys...
    
    Del. AYOkillie
    
    

    
    
      Freeing Furphy, who has been our most consistent player for the past
     5 seasons or so, proves to me that there is no ambition among the so
     called directors at Somerset Park. Furphy was the club captain at the
     beginning of the season when his contract was up for renewal. He was
     offered the same deal as he signed 2 years previous, not surprisingly
     he turned it down. If what I hear is true, he held out for a 5k
     signing on fee which was not forthcoming. We have become a joke club
     in Scottish football and are slowly getting worse, mainly due to the
     muppets on the board. They tried to con the fans by going full-time
     a few years ago, allowing Ally McLeod to sign umpteen clowns on full
     time contracts, most of whom have since been freed and have returned
     to junior football. We need a board of directors and sponsers willing
     to support the club and allow the team the resources to attempt and
     maintain a serious promotion bid, otherwise we will continue as an
     average to poor first division side. 
    
      To echo Kev's point, I cannot understand Burley's efforts at Hamilton
     on Saturday. Everyone in the crowd could see where Hamilton's goal was
     going to come from, yet for 45 minutes no effective change was made to
     nullify this danger. Freeing Furphy makes matters worse, but as Burley
     has said, he's lined up a "FIT AND STRONG" 35 year old currently
     playing in non-league football, to replace him!! Very ambitious move.
    
     Danny...
    
     ps Good luck to Willie Furphy if he ends up at Rugby Park.

    
    Well troops I have to echo all the previous replies on this matter.
    This must be one of the strangest ever decisions made by an Ayr manager and
    there have been a few crackers over the years. I can imagine there are
    a few managers across the the country who'll be rubbing their hands at
    the prospect of getting the bargain of the season.
    
    I think it must also throw up questions about Burley and the board. 
    i.e. did the board make the money available to meet Furphy's demands or
    not, if the money was there why did Burley refuse to pay up ?
    
    
    
    
    
    Steep. 
    

    I think it is obvious by Burley's comments in the paper that there was
    no money made available for Furphy.It seems that Burley justifies
    giving frees as a method of saving two full time wages.I think it is
    all too clear that we have deep financial worries although it is going
    to be interesting to see what Shotton is being offered to sign on.It is
    incredible that the board can sit back while all this is happening and
    still try and tell us that they want the best for Ayr,the best joke I 
    have heard for a while was in this week's Ayrshire Post:
    Quote from Burley"Shotton will strengthen our PROMOTION bid"
    I think we have one mis guided man up there at somerset.

    
    Is this the same Malcolm Shotton who played for Barnsley a few
    seasons ago? If so, the guy has a lot of heart. I remember him playing
    on with a broken bone in his foot. 
    
    Ian.

    
    Not sure about Barnsley but he is ex Oxford and is at present
    playing with non-league Frickley. At 35 he should be one for
    the future :-(
    
    Del.

    RE .430
      
    LAWRENCE,
             Ally Mcleod is back??????????????????????????????
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    I THINK THE DIRECTORS HAVE BRAINWASHED GB INTO THINKING, HE'S SENILE-
    -Ally Mcleod.
    Ally Mcleod

    
    re. -2
    
    yeah, its the same Malcolm Shotton.
    A solid defender, not a lot of style, not a lot of pace, but as the
    commentators so often love to say...
    
    "He's the kind of dependable pro you like to have in your side!"
    
    Ian.

    
    
      Saturday's defeat at home by Morton has left Ayr sitting 2nd bottom
     in the league, a win would have seen us move up to 6th top but too
     many missed chances in the first half let us down. Graham should have
     had a couple, one or two others missed as well. Morton's first goal
     should have been disallowed for a foul on Robertson as he moved to
     clear a corner. The push in the back resulted in an own goal. 
    
      Ayr had plenty of possession in the 2nd half but never looked like
     scoring. A non-existant midfield failed to create any real openings.
     Howard was sent off for a professional foul midway through the half. 
     He should have taken Davie Kennedy with him as the brainless one was
     caught in possession when Ayr were breaking from defence. The
     resulting through ball caught Ayr on the wrong foot as the defence had
     all pushed out expecting a counter-attack through Kennedy.
    
      Our new 35 year old centre half made his debut as captain! To be fair
     to the guy, I would describe him as an over-the-hill carthorse with
     as much footballing ability as Davie Kennedy. I shudder to think how
     many goals we'll loose this season. Traynor, Kennedy and Shotton have
     to be replaced now or it'll be a long season at the wrong end of the
     league. We desperately need some new faces in mid-field, George is
     suffering through lack of support in the middle. 
    
      Onto the ref now, he was a total disaster, no consistency in his
     decisions at all. He booked George for his first and possibly only
     foul in the game (he's now suspended). Graham and some dirty Morton
     chappie were booked for dissent, yet when Howard gave the ref dugs
     abuse over some weird decision, he got off with a warning. I think
     he's one of the new grade 1 refs, he's got an awful lot to learn.
    
    Danny... 

           Okay enough is enough,,,whats all this anti Burley sickness that
    going around these days....
           The man has done a great job for the club (unlike the muppets on
    the board)...Let me just put is record on the table for examination..
    
           In 18 months he has taken us to the 1/4 finals of the Scottish
    Cup for the first time in 20 years ,the 1/4 final of the league Cup for 
    the first time in 25 years and the final of the B+Q Cup ( okay mickey
    mouse),but some teams didn't make it , some teams from Ayrshire that
    is)..Add to all this our highest league position in 10 years and you
    must agree ,not a bad record..All this with no cash and a team of
    juniors handed to him by the real villan of the piece...
    
          Okay he has made mistakes in the market i.e Signing Auld and not
    taking the Shaw money..But show me a gaffer who hasn't.
    
         As for the Furphy nightmare ,we really need to know the facts ,and 
    we don't,my personal opinion is that Robertson is a better player and
    he cost nothing so what the hell.
        If they don't want to play for us bbyyyyyyyyyeeeeee..
    
       On to Shotton ,its hard to tell what he is going to be like after
    one game espiecally when he only met the team in the dressing room..
    he won a League Cup medal in 86 with Oxford so he's been around and on
    Saturdays performance he knows how to take a player out , so lets wait
    and see ...Lets not compare  him to Furphy as he is a marker not a
    sweeper,if you all must groan about the loss of Furphy ,think about how 
    well his replacement "Robertson " is playing.
      GB has no money for players so he is trying to build a long ball team
    that is tough at the back with players who are not silky soccer players 
    but are hard phisical types ,and who want to play for Ayr.His main
    weakness is his forward assesment ,we play with 3 who are all mince,if
    we had 2 good ones we could have have another midfielder which gives  us
    the option of useing a man to man marker for troublesome players like 
    Burns /McDonald and Hopkins .
      To sum up its not the gaffers fault its the board's.....
    
    SQF HONEST MAN.
       

    
    
    Welcome back Sal!!
    
     In reply to your little ditty, we all know the board is to blame
    for the current set-up at Somerset Park. Burley can only do so much 
    given the lack of finance available to him. His hands were probably
    tied with the Furphy situation but I cannot understand why he has
    replaced him with Shotton. There must be several good young defenders
    in Scotland who could have been snapped up. I may have been a bit harsh
    on Shotton after only 1 game, but I honestly can't see him doing a job
    for Ayr.
    
     With regards to the forwards, Ally Graham would still be an automatic
    choice of mine for the team. On Saturday he missed a couple of sitters
    but he won so much in the air it was embarrassing. As you said, Burley 
    is trying to play the long ball game, without Graham where would we be?
    A decent midfield would support Graham, picking up a lot of his
    knock-downs and creating chances from there. We do not have a creative
    player in the middle of the park. George is the hard man in the middle,
    he has no-one there to take the ball from him and create openings. As I
    said before, Davie Kennedy and John Traynor are empty jersey's most
    weeks; they have to be replaced now or it's downhill from here.
    
     Danny...

    Dan,         Fair comment and I agree with most of your points.There is
                a creative player available at the moment, Gordon McLeod of
                Dundee has been given a free and is due to sign for the
                mighty wait for it Meadowbank ,,surely we can out bid them.
    
                But I feel the main problem is up front ,we have only
               scored about 6 goals this season.Walker is utter crap and 
               should have been replaced 3 seasons ago ,McTurk needs more
               time and Dobbin has been missing chances galore,but your
              right the long ball demands a target.So hemust stay but lets
              get him a partner that can take a man on and shoot at goal
              from further than 6ft...
              Smith of the Accies is available as is Gilmour of Dumbarton
              and Harvey of Airdrie ...All are proven goal grabbers.,
              Okay so we;ve got no cash but we get twice the gates of
              Hamilton Raith and Morton who are all full time and chaseing
              a premier spot ,,so how do they do it. Or is our board
              pulling the wool....
    
              P.s  Tell Del I'm going to give him a really serious talking
             to A/ For being so silly and moving to Gotham ( he'll need to
             learn to have dirt jamed under his finger nails or they'll
             never accept him). And B/ For those stupid remarks about
            switching teams. "HONEST" I knew he was joking about that.
            He was joking about that,wasn't he........8-)
    
             SQF HONEST MAN FOR EVER !!!!!!

    
    
            It seems Burley is going back to a four man defence on Saturday
    in a bid to play wingers . This he thinks will give our forwards more
    chances .What do you all think of that ? Also do who you all think will
    make up the back four,will Robertson go back to full back ?
    
                      GRA.

    Re last
    I think with Howard suspended this week then he will play Robertson and
    Shotton in central defence with either Traynor or Kennedy at Right Back
    and Garry Agnew at left back.As for playing with wingers to help create
    more goal scoring chances,well I don't see what difference that will
    make as we haven't got anybody who can take chances.However,I an still
    confident that we will win tomorrow.
                                   'L'

    
                     AYR O COWDENBEATH 1
    
      It's looking bleak lads.
    
    There has to be a few questions asked about GB tactics on saturday like
    Robbo has been playing great as sweeper then suddenly GB plays him as 
    a right winger,it was his worst game for utd since he came.
    
    It was all AYR most of the game and i think Gaz Agnew's penalty miss
    summed it all up(the keeper was lucky as f***).
    I think that proves yesterday that we badly need a striker, a proven 
    goalscorer,but knowing how were strapped for cash we'll probably sign
    Billy Carse from Annbank Utd.
    
    LOUDON HAS GOT TO RESIGN NOW.

    
    Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear....
    
    Glad I didn't renew my season. Lets face it boys we weren't good
    enough last season so why should it be any different this season.
    We've freed our best player, signed probably the two oldest players
    in professional football, the board have no cash and no ideas and
    it now looks as if Burley is taking a flakie on the tactic side of
    things.
    
    Things are not looking too rosy....8 league games played..1 win..3
    draws...4 defeats. Relegation material without a doubt boys.
    
    Sal...it's over to you, I need an optimism injection.
    
    Now where did I put that hoopy top. :-)
    
    Del  

    
    
    Del,     No optimism here pal ,we are deep in the brown stuff .That
    must be the worst result since Willie McLean...
    
             What I will say is the guts of last season's team are still
    there,and we did finish 6th last term so with that in mind it will come
    together.
    
             BUT,,,if we don't start to find the net soon we will be
    fighting the drop all season and this time it just might be our turn.
    I think if they spend say 25K on a striker, any stiker then we will
    survive.Or 150K on three pro's could take us up ,but with a board that
    won't pay Furphy 5K ,what can I say..
    
             The only option we have up front is Shaw and for some reason
    GB won't play him .IMHO he is the best finisher at the club ...
    
              Bring back the Slud !!!!!!!!!

    
    
    Okay lads , our season is just about over before its begun , and with
    that result on Saturday its begining to feel like Willie McLean
    revisited.What a team he put out , can you all remember them ? I bet
    Kev can . So for a wee laugh , and God knows we need one , hows about
    puting together the worst United team since,say,reconstuction in "75".
    That will keep it easy for you all , and there will be plenty of
    crackers to pick from,well here goes....
    
     Keeper.......PURDIE      by a mile
    R Back........SHANKS      what a tash
    L Back........LOVE        still hate him
    Sweeper.......AHERN       known as ahernia
    C Half........GILLESPIE   oh boy
    L Mid .......Wier         50K for that
    C Mid........McCully      quite simply the worst footballer I've seen.
    C Mid........Ward         just pips Wolfie
    R Mid........Evans        not Stevie fae Troon
    Forward......Kean         nice perm
    Forward......McCrackin    maybe just a bit unfair here.
    
    Subs from....Walker , Lindsay , Mauchline , Smart , Ashwood , Fleeting
     
    Come on Kev , Del , Bean , Dan , L , Fin and Steep beat that !!!   ;-)
    
                           Gra...

    Worst team since recontruction ?
    
    How about Saturday's team ??
    
    No ? Well try this lot.
    
    1. Northcote  	(lost 5 goals in 45 mins at home to Dumbarton)
    2. Brian Ross       (we got 8 grand for him, amazing)
    3. Joe Love         (couldn't cross himself)
    4. Smyth
    5. Gillespie
    6. Walsh
    7. John Miller
    8. Joe Gillies
    9. Stewart Mauchlen
    10 Steve Evans (the 1st)
    11 Jimmy Lindsay
    
    Subs. Purdie, Ward, Kean, Ashwood, Robert Brown, Armour, Lex Grant
    
    The list is endless, but I reckon my shower of crap could even lose 
    to Killie.
    
    Kev....

    To pick the worst Ayr team since reconstruction is a hard job as there
    has been so many bad players but after watching saturday's game there
    will certainly be a few of the present squad in the "Ayr United worst
    ever team hall of fame".

    
    1. Goofy            (shades it from Purdie) 
    2. Brian Ross       (undescrible)
    3. Joe Love         (the fairy princess)
    4. Brown            (the future Scotland Captain...!??!)
    5. Gillespie        (lanky & talentless...big bird mark 2)
    6. McCracken        (Dooogie,Dooogie) 
    7. Gardiner (Lee)   (waste of time and space)
    8. Evans            (not Stevie)
    9. Dobbin           (boy...do I hate Ally Graham) 
    10 Masterton        (his head never knew what his feet were doing)
    11 Grant (Lex)      (his head never knew what his feet were doing mark 2)
    
    Del. (who could name a squad of 40)
    

    Sal,
    
       You say that Ayr could not afford to pay Furphy five grand for a
    signing on fee. Well the truth of the matter is that Furphy withdrew
    his signing on fee request and asked for the same terms as last season.
    Ayr agreed with the same wages but would not pay his expenses as they
    had done for the previous three years. Therefore Furphy refused to lose
    money playing for Ayr - the rest is history .
    
    
    ... Bean

       What about the best Utd formation since 76 but only on their form
    for Utd..
    
          Here's mine for what its worth.
    
         1....Duncan 
         2....Nichol
         3....Connor
         4....cant think of a good one.
         5....McAllister ( at his peak the best Ayr player not to get a
                             move .Gers were ready to sign him untill they
                           found out what school he went to)
         6...McLaughlin   super was the best name for him
         7...Christie    the best since 76 but not a patch on Doyle or
                         Young.
         8...Crammond 
         9...Rambo
         10..Sludden  
         11..Templeton   peaked at 23 ,dear oh dear.
    
         Subs   Morris Frye Johnston
    
    
         Well Kev ,its a wee bit harder to think of good ones lets see your
    team and see if I missed any...
    
               Gra.

    
    1. Hughie Sproat
    2. Stevie Nicol
    3. Robert Connor
    4. Willie Furpherino
    5. Ian McAllister
    
    6. Gordon Crammond
    7. Brian McLaughlin
    8. Duncan George
    
    9. Alan McInally
    10 John Sludden
    11 Henry Templeton
    
    Del.

    Re last
    I think you've got it spot on Del-boy,although Derek Frye and Eric
    Morris both impressed in their spell at somerset.

    
    
            What is everyone's opinion on this weeks visit to Boghead ?
    
           I'm going to stick my neck out and take Ayr for an away win on
           the fixed odds .I'll go for 1-0.With Dobbin getting the strike.
    
            What do you all think ?
    
                   SQF HM

    Our last to Boghead was a memorable 3-0 victory to stay in Div 1 back
    in 84-85. I'll be really brave and go for the same again.
    
    Best team since 76
    
    				Sproat
    Nicol		Furphy		McAllister		Connor
    
    		George		McLaughlin	  Crammond
    
    		Templeton	McInally          Sludden		 
    
    Subs,	Duncan,Agnew,Christie and Frye
    
    
    
    Kev...

    
    
     I'll join Sal and take Ayr on the coupon for an away win (should be
    reasonable odds!)
    
     Best team since 76 - same as Kev's and Del's with Morris a candidate
    up front. Reckon that team would take a bit of stopping in today's
    first division. 
    
      Danny...

    Best Team,
    
                         Sproat
    Nicol              Furphy McAllister          Agnew
    
        George           McLaughlin               Connor
    
    
       Templeton     Sludden McInally 
    
    
    
    Subs: Morris Frye
    
    
    
    
    
    
    ... Bean

    Worst Team
    
    
                         Purdie
    
    Ross         Brown          Auld                 Vincent
    
      Ward              Ahern              Weir
    
      McNaughton        Larnach            Mair
    
    
    
    Worst Manager   - W. McLean
    
    Hard to beat 8-)
    
    
    
    ... Bean
    

      
    
        Anyone at Boghead on Saturday ?  Come on Kev/Fin where is the match
    report,with team and best players . Could this be our luck finaly
    starting to run for us ..
    
                            SQF HM

    
    
    Steady Sal....steady...your getting over excited again. 
    
    Lets face facts, you could get 11 grunters from VLSI that could 
    give Dumbarton a game. It would be nice to think this was the start of
    better things but when you take into account the fact that we're
    crap....I very much doubt it.
    
    Del the downer.

    
    
      Del,          How would you know what Ayr were like ? Unless you
                   bumped into them at Seafield golf course. heheheh.
    
                    Only kidding Del, but all I ment was that I don't think 
                  we've had a rub of the green yet , what with 2 og's and 2
                 players sent off in the 1st few weeks of the season.Plus a
                   penalty miss and the amount of times the woodwork has
                  saved the enemy.No I'm not on the Buckie, I don't think
                  we have any chance of doing things this season but I also
                  thing we are better than our league position suggests.
                  Also just 3 points behind the squirrels , who remember
                  had this league won back last June 8-).
    
    
                 SQF HM.

    The reseves recorded a 2-1 win over Rangers last night.The Ayr goals
    were scored by Carse (Annbank Utd) who looks a promising player.The
    Gers had a very young squad on display with only Gary McSwegan having
    any first team experience however he was red carded in the second half
    along with his Centre Half Steve Pressley.The Ayr team had a few
    promising players on display particularly Carse,Allan,Hood,Miller and
    an unknown player who came on during the second half,he played up front
    and was very fast.
                   

    I don't want to say I told you so , but I did predict a 3-0 win for Ayr
    at Boghead and amazingly it came true. Dumbarton were very poor and
    look like they may struggle as the season progresses. Ayr were always
    on top and never looked like surrendering the early lead which arrived
    via a deep Burley cross to Super Ally who nodded a looping header back
    across the goal and in at the back post. No 2 was another goal supplied
    from a Burley cross into the box. The keeper came to meet it but
    Traynor rose in front of him to send a back header into the net. Ayr
    had several other chances before Sub Alan McTurk latched onto another
    ball from Burley via Mair and he hammered a low shot past the goalie
    into the far corner with 30 seconds left on the clock. Best for Ayr
    were Burley, Walker, Kennedy and Graham. Mair was the crap member of
    the squad. Mair and Agnew were booked. 
    
    Kev....

    
    
     According to today's Daily Rangers, Greg Shaw is going back to
    Liverpool for another months trial. Hopefully he'll impress Souness 
    and Ayr will receive a large amount of cash for him which the directors
    will probably squander on some new seats and a bovril stall.
    
     Danny...

    Danny,
    
       Ayr will not receive a large cash amount for Greg Shaw as he is on
    freedom of contract and we will probably only get three times his
    wages. Twenty thousand at the most ! Another good piece of business
    by George in turning down one hundred and seventy thousand from 
    St.Johnstone ???
    
    Saddened HM ... Bean

    
    
    Steve,         Are you sure Saints offered 175K for Shaw,I heard it was
    80K plus a center half.I mean it sounds strange when after getting a
    knock back from Burley they went to Ireland and signed Arkins for a
    mere 65K....
    
    
               Gra...

    It stated in the Ayrshire Post today that Carse has been given a year
    part time contract it also states,as previously mentioned that Ayr
    wouldn't receive much money for Shaw as he has been a sub most of the
    time and any transfer fee would probably be decided by a tribunal who
    would certainly take into account first team appearances,so it would
    appear that we have mucked things up again!!!!
    
    
    

    St Mirren 2 - 0 Ayr United
    
    Ayr have only themselves to blame for not taking at least a point from
    this match with St Mirren.   They had more chances, more pressure
    and more shots on goal than an average Saints side who scored with 2 of
    their 3  clear cut openings. The first half was very even and it was
    quite a surprise when Farrell headed Saints into an undeserved lead on
    the half-hour mark after good work by Elliot on the left wing. Ayr
    replied strongly and came close with a Graham header and a Traynor shot
    which Money did well to turn out for a corner. With 5 minutes of the
    half remaining, Mair and Money rose to a high ball and Money landed in
    a heap. Play raged on and the ball was eventually  cleared to the
    centre-circle where the ref blew for a bounce-up. We were then treated
    to a scenario straight from a movie with first the physio, then the
    manager, then the doctor and finally the Saints team all crowded round
    the prostrate goalie. It seemed that he would be unable to continue and
    we all thought it would only be a matter of time before a stretcher
    was brought on for him. However, after about 3-4 mins he stood up and 
    was able to continue. Seemingly, he has a habit of feigning injury in
    an attempt to break the rhythm of the opposition and always succeeds.
    The second half started to boos ringing out from the Ayr support as
    Money ran out like Linford Christie and proceeded to play like Gordon
    Banks before again suffering an "injury" which made it impossible for
    him to move faster than a handicapped sloth whenever he had the ball
    yet miraculously disappeared whenever he had to move for a save. Time
    after time he defied an Ayr attack which had grown stronger by the
    addition of McTurk for Walker and one save from a Mair shot would have
    been difficult for a fit goalie. Yet again Ayr were hit by the sucker
    punch and after a great run down the left, McDowall crossed to the
    backpost where Farrell nodded the ball into the path of Hewitt who
    slammed it home from 7 yards. Ayr pressed strongly in the latter
    stages but poor finshing let them down. 
    
    Best for Ayr were Shotton,McTurk and Kennedy
    Poor for Ayr were Howard (shocking) and Robertson (lost at right
    midfield)
    
    Best for Saints.   Martindale (ref)
    
    I would predict a rather "warm" reception for a certain goalie in the
    Chipboard Cup tomorrow night.
    
    Kev....

    
    
          B+Q Cup   AYR UNITED   2   ST MIRREN   1
                     Walker (2)       Charnley
    
    
        A good result by the "pride of " but I would swap it for 2 points
    in Paisley last Saturday.
    
                           SQF HM. 
    
    

    A good result it was, but the way it as achieved is going to give Ayr
    supporters heart failure if it happens again. Ayr completely dominated
    this match and shouild have won by 3 or 4 goals. Walker scored the
    first after 11 minutes when he slammed home a Graham rebound off Fridge.
    He then booted Lambert in the face, who was replaced by our old
    favourite Chico Charnley. Chic immediately marked out Walker for the
    challenge on Lambert and appeared to threaten him before the match
    restarted. Saints came into the game but lacked the killer touch which
    would have evened the game. Just before half-time, Walker and Manley
    went for a loose ball and Manley came off worst, being unable to return
    for the second half. Ayr attacked throughout the second 45 mins and
    were rewarded when a great pass from Burley found Graham homing in on
    goal when Lex Baillie hauled him down for a penalty. Walker elected to
    take it but his weak shot was saved by the legs of Fridge. St Mirren
    appeared to take heart from this and in 81 minutes, forced a free-kick
    wide on the right. Charnley fired the kick straight over the wall and
    past a bewildered Duncan in the Ayr goal. 3 minutes later Walker was
    pulled down in the box by Fabiani but the ref waved play on ( A mistake
    methinks). 2 minutes later the ball breaks into the box and Fridge and
    Traynor clash, the ball breaks to Walker, 15 feet out from an open goal
    and he puts it over the bar. He redeemed himself however when in the
    89th minutes he pounced on a Graham flick to fire a left foot shot past
    the keeper for the winner. Great scenes as the whole team mobbed Walker
    behind the Somerset goal with Shotton the happiest man I have seen in
    a while.
    
    The draw for the next round will be made next Tuesday.
    
    
    Kev...

    
    
    Kev, 
    
       for the benefit of the part-time supporters, what was the team last
      night? Going by your report it looks as if Tommy Walker is back to
      his best ie missing sitters and kicking lumps out of his opponents!
    
       Danny.

    Team was
    
    Duncan,Burley,McVie,Shotton,Howard,Kennedy,Robertson,Walker,Graham,
    Traynor and Mair. Subs McTurk (for Mair) McLean (not used)
    
    Best were Shotton , Kennedy , Graham and Burley.
    
    Stirling at home on Saturday.
    
    Kev...

    Kev             Thats twice Zico has had your MOM award,I take it you
                   are drinking in the Cherrytree at the moment.
    
                   Having seen Shotton more than the rest of us put together
                 do you think he is what we have been missing at the back ?
    
                   Also will you be in the Horse on Saturday for beers and
                  banter ?
    
    SQF HM.......
    

    I'll admit that when we let Furphy go for nothing  and signed a 34 year
    old from non-league football, I thought the boss had gone bananas but I
    will say now that I was wrong and that Shotton is exactly what we need.
    I'm not sure about Howard though. I would like to see Robertson playing
    alongside Malky instead of Nigel who is a bit weak in all departments.
    Shotton has the knack of reading a game and always appears in the right
    place at the right time. And while he is hard , he has yet to be booked
    so he is not dirty by any stretch of the imagination. 
    
    Drinking in the Cherry Tree ? Nah , too far to stagger home.
    
    I'll make it to the pub on Sat for some pre-match "Horse-play" 
    C U there.
    
    Ps the reserves won 5-0 last night at Stenhousemuir. McLean hit a hat
    trick and Fraser got the other 2. Could be time for a run in the first
    team for the other "Super Ally" ?
    
    Kev.... 

    
    
         Lets have all your predictions for Saturdays visit of Stirling.
        I'll go for a 2-0 victory for Utd,but then again I always do.
    
                        SQF HM.... 

    
    My prediction for saturday UTD 3 stirling 0,also MALKY will have FAT
    willie watters in his back pocket.     
    
    
    
                               fin..8-)

    
    Yeah......this part timer will go for a Utd win.....
    
    Got them on the fixed odds....
    
    Delbert the Del.

    
    Hi,
    
    I am going down to Ayr on business in 2 weeks time and would like to
    see a game (Ayr play Clydebank on the Sat). I would like to go with 
    some of the guys that write in here, so if any of you are going to 
    the game could you send me a mail at THERAJ::MILLER and I will arrange
    to meet you.
    
    					Des.

    
    
      After dominating the first half, Ayr fell away a bit after the break,
     allowing Stirling to equalise before the real Super Ally scored the  
     winner with about 10 minutes to go. He was denied the chance of a
     hat-trick when the ref turned down a definite penalty as Ally was
     preparing to burst the net from close range. Cammy Duncan had a 
     brilliant save in injury time to deny Stirling what would have been an
     undeserved point.
    
      Pass marks to Duncan, Shotton, Burley and Graham.
    
      Burley has been complaining about the lack of goals recently. I
     reckon the main problem is the lack of attack-minded players in
     midfield. Graham and Walker continually knock good quality balls
     down for players to run onto but guys like Kennedy, George and 
     Roberston are not renowed for their goal scoring records. 
    
      Danny.
    
     Rumor/fact time,
    
     Ally Fraser has been placed on the transfer list.
    
     Partick Thistle are again showing an interest in Graham. Reports range
     from 100k to 50k plus 2 players. We will wait and see.
    

    
    
             AYR GET KILMARNOCK IN THE B&Q CUP AT RUGBY PARK
    

    
    
    
    Re last -   Next stop the quarters then . ;-).
    
                          SQF HM.

    According to the local rags, Stranraer have turned down a player swap
    deal which would have brought Tommy Sloan back to Somerset. No news of
    which players were wanted by Stranraer but the name Fraser does spring
    to mind considering he has been placed on the transfer list. I would
    have liked to see the original Tucker back at Somerset and playing up
    front with big Ally. Who knows, it may happen yet. 
    
    Prediction for tomorrow.    Dunfermline 3 - 1 Ayr 
    
    Kev...

    
    O ye of little faith....
    
    I'll go for at least a share of the points tomorrow, after all George
    Burnley reckons we've got a chance of promotion....whoever the hell he
    is. :-)
    
    Del.

    
    
          Its got to be a Utd away win , about 2-0 me thinks (hopes).
    
           SQF HM

    
    	I think hopes is about right Sal.
    
    				RRFC
    

    
    
    
        Allan...Yehhh sometimes the heart rules the head .Well okay all
    the time then.Anyway good luck to Raith today ,remember we stuffed the
    Saints last week so sometimes the "hopes" come true.
    
                       SQF HM...
                       

    
    
        DUNFERMLINE 1 AYR UNITED 3
                       Ally
                       Traynor 
                       Tucker

    OK, I'm first to admit I got the score wrong,but if the Pars had taken 
    half the chances they had, they would have walked this match. Ayr
    caught them cold with a goal in 90 seconds when an excellent cross by
    Agnew was met at the far post by the real Super Ally who sent his
    header out of the reach of the big skelly keeper. Dunfermline responded
    immediately and after Grants header came off the bar, Chalmers contrived
    to miss a virtual open goal. Tucker was on the receiving end of some
    rough treatment from Cooper and McCathie (booked for a dreadful
    challenge) and Agnew was left limping by a challenge from Cooper which
    was so late it was nearly in the second half. I still stand by my
    comments made after the first game when the Pars played like thugs.
    Saturday was no different and 3 of their players went into the book.
    Dunfermline equalised when Cunnington's corner was met by Chalmers
    who volleyed home from a couple of yards. Just when it looked like 
    D'line would take the game by the scruff, Ayr hit them with a rather
    fortunate goal. Good work by Burley ended with him laying the ball off
    to Tucker who cut inside the defender and fired in a shot which hit
    Chalmers and went beyond the reach of the big skelly keeper to make it
    2-1 at half-time. Dunfermline started the second half in determined
    fashion but some excellent defending from Shotton in particular meant
    they could not capitalise on any chances. McWilliams hit the bar with a
    rocket shot and Duncan saved well from a Davies 30 yarder. With 10 mins
    left, Ayr hit them with the sucker punch when , after forcing 4 corners
    in as many minutes, Traynor scored when Allys header came back off the
    bar. The last 10 mins were a delight with Ayr camped in Dunfermline's
    half leaving Malky Shotton to cheerlead an ecstatic Ayr support from 
    the centre-circle. All in all a good victory, but D'line will rue all
    the missed chances and when they finally strike a game, someone will
    suffer. Let's hope it's Kilmarnock.
    
    Best for Ayr were Shotton, Burley and Graham.
    
    p.s. I met a crowd of Southampton supporters at the game and later in
    the pub in Ayr. They had visited Ayr for the pre-season friendly and
    because they did not have a game on Saturday they decided to travel up
    to see "our favourite Scottish team". They seemed almost as happy as me
    when Ayr won. They are returning when Ayr play Killie next month. They
    did not appear to enjoy their pre-season visit to our North Ayrshire 
    neighbours. In fact, one of them commented on how the town of
    Kilmarnock reminded him of TV pictures from Beirut
    
    or was it Bhagdad ?
    
    Kev...

    
    Great result on saturday. It finally looks as if our luck is changing
    for the better. The return of Burley plus the signing of Shotton looks
    as though it's really shored up the defence. If we hadn't lost at home
    to the might of Meadowbank and Cowdenbeath we'd be right up there.
    
    Tricky game this saturday at home to an inform Clydebank. Hopefully
    though we can keep the good run going and set ourselves up for the trip
    to Rugby Park on the 20th.
    
    I might just have to fork out a fiver to go see them on saturday.
    
    A return to the Horse is on the cards !
    
    Del.
    

    
    
    According to the Daily Record it looks as if Paul McLean is on his way
    to Stranraer. In the same paper it states that Tom Callaghan has signed
    for Stirling Albion after turning down offers from AYR UTD and Sligo
    Rvrs. Don't tell me we were in for that dumplin'......and whats more
    embarrasing...                                 
    
    ....we didnae get him, he turned us down !!
    
    Delbert the Del.                        

    
    Del,      How much are the Stran going to cough up for Paul McLean or
    is it another swap,with perhaps Sloan coming home..
    
              What is everyone's predictions for the visit of the mighty
    Clydebank ? I always hate playing them because they always have some
    young player that runs a mock against us,and then there is always Eadie.
    Well I suppose I better bite the bullet and name my score .......
    
    
                AYR UNITED (pride of AYRshire) 1  BANKIES  0
    
                              SQF HM...
                         
    

    
    
    AYR UNITED    2    CLYDEBANK   1
    Traynor
    Mair
    
       Another good 2 points for the "whites" . Acording to west sound big
    Ally got taken off injured . Does anyone know if he'll make it on Tues.
    Also a trialist was listed as sub ,I'm told his name is Pierce and
    plays with Coventry City ..Anyone know anything about this guy .
    
       Match repert ASAP,,Kev.
    
                             SQF HM..
    

    I thought his name was Cruise. He only played for ten minutes.
    
    Has anyone heard what is happening to Shaggy. 
    
    He scored two and made the other in a three - one victory (for the 
    reserves obviously).
    
    
    
    
    ... Bean

    Ayr 2-1 Clydebank
    
    A well deserved victory made it 5 out 6 since Burley started playing
    again. Malky Shotton was outstanding in a defence that was seldom
    troubled by Bankies. Ayr showed some excellent passing moves and
    flowing football and the only surprise was it took 45 mins to score.
    The goal came a minute after Duncan made a point blank stop from Eadie.
    Ayr rushed upfield and won a corner which was cleared as far as Traynor
    who slammed it home via a helpful dummy from big Ally. An ideal time to
    score. 4 minutes into the second half, Burley and Roberston finished
    some neat passing with a low hard cross which sub Mair met 10 yards out
    to send a shot past Woods in the Bankies goal. 2-0 and AYr were
    cruising. They shot themselves in the foot however when on Bankies next
    attack, Burley, Duncan, Robertson and Eadie all went for a high ball at
    the back post and it ended up nestling in the corner of the net after
    Robertson's attempted clearance beat Cammy. The papers somehow gave the
    goal to Flannigan who was nowhere near at the time. Ayr continued to
    attack but no further goals arrived. Big Ally went off injured 10 mins
    from the end to let the Trialist (Cruise ?) on. I don't know where he
    is meant to play but he appeared at home in a wide right midfield
    position. McLean it appears, has joined Stranraer.
    
    Best for Ayr were Shotton and Burley (again)
    
    Kev...

    
    
     Any predictions for tomorrow night's game against Killie?
    
     We seem to be a lot tighter at the back since the arrival of Shotton
    and the return of Burley but I reckon we could struggle in midfield
    tomorrow, especially as Kennedy won't be man-marking Burns due to
    injury. I think Traynor is a definite weak link in the middle and
    would therefore like to see McTurk dropped and someone else added in the
    middle, possibly Mair or even McVie.
    
     The lack of a good squad could prove to be our downfall, especially
    as Graham, George and Howard are carrying knocks from Saturday's game.
    
     Hopefull of winning but not confident.
    
    Danny.

    Is this Malcolm Shotton captain of the great/famous Oxford Utd team of
    the mid 'eighties,  I can't believe he is still going  ???
    
    		Brian.

    
    Yeah.....I'm like you Dan...more hopeful than confident.
    
    Killie looked good on Saturday from the tv clips I saw and by all
    accounts should have won the game. In saying that however, Raith were
    not at full strength having had 2 players sent off the week before.
    
    We're playing at our best for sometime but picked up injuries on
    Saturday. Graham, George and Howard all took knocks. We have a chance
    if we're at full strength, if not, we'll find it hard going.
    
    As Sal keeps saying...were overdue a victory at Rugby Park. I'd
    be happier if it was on the 14th of Nov rather than tomorrow night.
    
    Del.
    
    ps. re .496  Yes...and playing very well by all accounts.
    
    

    
            Kilmarnock   1   Ayr United   0
             McCluskey
    
        Not a great night for Ayr with very few real chances created Killie
    on the other hand played very well ,thier passing game would be a joy
    to watch if it wasn't being played against your own team.
        Killie totaly dominated the game from start to finish with Ayr's
     only threats coming from fast breaks.Which were few and far between.
    Ayr's defence played well with Shotton and Duncan outstanding, I hate
    to think what might have happend if Purdie and Auld had been playing.
    The real problem with our team is the same as its ever been Walker and
    McTurk are being carried and the midfield cant support the forwards
    during a break.All in all not a bad desplay by United, they lack a bit
    of punch up front and when Ally doesn't play the team don't play.As for 
    Killie they looked a very slick unit who with a bit of luck could go
    all the way in the Cup . 
        I can't help feeling that when we meet them again that Burns will 
    be marked a lot more tightly as he pulls the strings for an ordinary
    Killie front line.
    
                     SQF HM.
    
    
    
    

    Kilmarnock 1 Ayr United 0
    Well lads what can I say!! that must go down as one of the worst
    display's ever by an Ayr team,we were very lucky to leave with a one
    goal defeat.Cammy Duncan must get a triple bonus for his display last
    night and the rest should be fined for their displays.As for Ally
    Fraser,free him as he just isn't interested.

    
    
      An utterly disgracefull performance from Ayr last night saw them
    loose 1-0 to Killie at Rugby Park. In all honesty, Killie should have
    been 3 or 4 up at half-time and a couple more clear by full-time. They
    won every 50-50 ball and generally had total control of the game. Ayr
    couldn't string 2 passes together and only threatend a couple of times
    from corner kicks.
    
     The really depressing part of it all, is that last nights team, with
    the exception of the waste of space Ally Fraser had won 5 of the last 6
    games and should have been confident about going to Rugby Park and
    winning but there seemed a lack of commitment and a definite shortage
    of basic footballing skills last night.
    
     The next 4 weeks will be crucial to Ayr's season. Matches against
    Morton, Hamilton, Raith and Kilmarnock will make or break the season.
    
     Pass marks last night to Duncan (MOM), Shotton and Graham. The rest
    were a joke.
    
     Danny.

    
    
             Any predictions for the trip to Greenock on Saturday ?
    
             I'll go for a score draw 1-1....

    Ayr can't play as badly 2 games in a row so I predict a score draw..
    
    and typically pi$$ing wet Greenock weather to go with it.
    
    Kev... 

    I'll put my neck on the line and go for an utd victory 1-0
    
    Paul mclean has signed for stranraer.
    
    fin.
    

    I;ll take Morton to win 3-0.....

    
    
    Davie ...The last time you got a score right the sun shone in Bo'ness
    for a full day..
                   SQF HM..

    How do you explain the palm trees then......
    
    Mr brown...

    
    
        GREENOCK MORTON   2   AYR UNITED   1
          Raferty 30            Shotton  10
          Lillie  89
    
      Another bad point lost..
    
                             SQF HM..

    re-1
    
    SQF HM....
    
    
    do you not mean "another 2 points lost" ????
    
    
    
    
    SQF Jambo

    
    Sid,      With the score at 1-1 with 2 mins to go I thought we were
    looking good for a point...
              Good the result for the "big" team in the capital, 17 on the 
    trot eh....
    
               SQF HM.. 

    GOD my sunburn is killing me to-day ????
    
    
    Julie...... 

    Dav, 
       When I passed through the Ness this morning I saw a guy on the Beach
    Hiring out sun loungers, Who said the Sun never shines in the Ness..!!!
    
    I bet they don't have a Steam train in Ayr..!!!
    
    
    
    Senga.

    Does anyone know the result of the reserve match against Killie from
    last night?

    2-2
    
    Killie twice came back to snatch a draw. Carse and Burke scored for
    Ayr.
    
    Kev...

    
    
          Whats all this about Burley signing not one but two players, both
    it seems are midfielders,can anyone confirm ?
          Also can anyone tell me if Liverpool have signed Shaw or will he
    be back with us for the rest of the season ?
          Also does anyone think its worthwhile giving Carse a real run in
    the 1st team and booting Walker out the pool.
    
          Prediction for the visit of Hamilton ,,,3-0 to the giants.
    
                 SQF Hm... 
    

    Sal,apparently Liverpool want Shaw back down again as they haven't made
    their minds up yet,how much time do they want? I think they have had
    ample time to assess him and to make a decision on whether to sign him
    or not.Burley states that he hopes Shaw signs on again as he is part of
    his plans,if this happened then somebody would have to take a back seat
    probably McTurk and there would be even less chance of Carse coming
    into the team.On the signing front,we have now completed the signing of
    two players,I don't know a lot about them so we will have to wait and
    see how they perform.Burley has now just about cleaned out the squad
    from the McLeod era(sorry for mentioning that lads!!!).
                                  
    Lawrence

    
    
        The Daily Record states today that Ayr's new signing "Burke" will
    make his debut today against the Accies.It doesn't say whether Crews
    will share the honour with him .      8-)..
         

    
    
     A very poor game played in poor conditions watched by a poor and sad
    crowd. Ayr could have played all night without scoring. Accies had the
    better chances but some good goalkeeping from Cammy kept the score
    sheet blank.
    
     Burke made his debut and did absolutely nothing before being carried
    off on a stretcher just before half-time. Replaced by Carse. Duncan
    George was carrying an injury and didn't come out after the break,
    replaced by our other new signing, Cruise. He showed some good touches
    and could be a good signing once he settles in.
    
     MOM - Cammy Duncan for a solid all-round performance.
    
    Danny.

    
    
    Danny,,, Spot on ,we were awfull.I thought Burley was our best player
    with Cammy and Shotton close behind ,the rest were mince.Still at least
    we got a point for a change....

    Paul Burke has a hairline fracture of his leg (or possibly ankle) and
    will be out for a while. I think you're being hard on him saying he did
    nothing Danny, the guy tried hard but was out of touch with the way the
    team play. Burley and he will have to get some sort of understanding
    before he realises his potential. Barry Crews however showed some
    excellent touches for an 18 year old. He rushed the only chance he had
    and fluffed it 18 feet wide but overall he had a reasonable
    performance. Carse was played out of position as a right midfielder and
    we have yet to see the best of him. If we have a fit squad to choose
    from, I'd like to see Carse playing off Graham who could provide the
    knockdowns for him. Ferguson had 2 excellent saves , one in each half
    which kept Accies in it and over the piece a draw was probably correct.
    One final word on the match officials. It is not often I praise them
    but the ref was very good and caught Accies at every one of their
    sneaky cheating exploits. The best thing he did was book that old thug
    Harris although he should have been booked before the challenge on
    Agnew.
    
    Only 2 points worse than this position last year and we called it a
    good start !
    
    Raith's unbeaten run to end at Somerset next week. You heard it here
    first !
    
    Kev...

    
    
     Kev, Burke has ligament damage to his ankle so he'll probably be out
    for a lengthy period. 
    
     We're now beginning to suffer from lack of depth and talent of a first
    team squad. Burley only had 14 players to choose from on Saturday. With
    Burke and George both injured, he'll be struggling to pick a team to
    try and defeat Raith this week. I'd like to think Ayr can be the first
    team to beat Raith this season, but although I think we're pretty solid
    at the back, Raith could over-run us in midfield and give us a bit of a
    doing. Traynor and Robertson were crap on Saturday but then again, they
    were signed as full-backs and not midfielders.
    
     Danny.
     

    
     re. last    
    
 <  We're now beginning to suffer from lack of depth and talent of a first >
 <  team squad.							           >
        
     I beg your pud Dan......we've been suffering from this for as long as
     I can rememeber !!!
    
    
     Delbert the part timer.

    
    
    Dan/Kev     I know Burke will be out for some time as will Kennedy but
                what is the position with George ? Will he make it on
                Saturday for the Raith game ? If he doesn't and Mair is in
                the the same boat that will leave us with a real pick and
                mix midfield of Robertson (right back) Traynor (right back)
                Crews (right winger) and McTurk (striker).With Carse on the 
                bench on his own. 
    
                I think Kev is right ,I fancy us to upset the Raith machine
               but we will need some luck with our injuries if we are to do 
                the buisness..
    
    

    
    	I take Raith to beat Ayr 3-1 with Dazzer scoring two.We will be too
    	strong for a weakened Ayr side and win with some style.
    
    					SQF RRFC
    

    
    
    Al,             Has that American sun baked your brain its Ayr that
    your coming to play not those soft touches from up the road,you'll get the
    same treatment that those Pars got ....a drilling     ;-)
    
    
                    SQF HM..
                        

    
    
    	The Pars are easy meat right now,even my granny could beat them and
    	she died a good few years ago.Raith have hit the winning trail
        again after a wee sticky patch,I know it will be a hard game but
    	you know us Fifers ,we'll not give anything away if we can help it.
    	(We'll maybe sell it if the price is right),I still think Raith
        will win.    :-):-)
    
    				SQF RRFC
    
    

    Sal,
    
    	When are you going to stop writing crazy stories of woe and torment
        and get down to admiting that your team are'nt even in the same
        league as the real men up the road..
    
        Raith to win by the odd goal in 9........ 

    Dav and McCall( who is currently working you from the back)
    
                Killie are indeed in the same league as us .I know this
    because I remember Ayr stuffing them 2-0 in our easiest game of the
    season.    8-))))))))))))))
    
                   SQF HM  ....
    

    Lads,     Derby day will soon be on us again what are your thoughts on
             the trip up the A77 to play our little cousins ??
    
              Will it be a repeat of the B+Q match or will we take the 
             squirrels out like a rotten tooth ??
    
              Will Del make his 2nd match of the season ?
     
              Will Lawrance be able to buy his first round of the season ?
    
                               SQF HM..

    re last
    Sal,I will be there on saturday and in the Away end with the United
    faithful not like somebody I know who went into the home end with his
    squirrel cronies at the B+Q Cup game :-)
                                 Cheers
                                Lawrence
    P.S Okay the first round will be on me!!!!

    
    Sally,
    
    Ma moneys on the big boys from Killie stuffin yous by at least 3.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Chester..........

    Chester/Dav fae the Ness.
    
                           You don't have any money cos McCall has nabbed
    all your OT .;-)........
    
                           SQF HM/ROSE .....

    
    Salbert,
    
       Don't think I'll be there. Went to the Raith game on Saturday and if
    that mob are top of the league God help the rest of us. Crap game with
    two crap teams...I'll nooooooo be back.  Looks like were struggling to
    get a fit 11 for the game in baghdad...still, it should be good enough to
    get at least a point from the vermin.  
    
     Delbert.
    
    ps. looks like Shotton will have to find someone else to put in his back
        pocket after Williamson's sending off at Parland.

    What is happening to United? Haven't they got the bottle for the Derby
    games? That is twice in a few weeks I have travelled to Baghdad to see
    them being humilitated by Killie,yet it seems that Killie don't seem to
    strike that kind of form against other teams.I have now seen Raith,
    St Mirren,Morton and Dunfermline,and none of them have destroyed us the 
    way killie have in the past two derby matches.It is hard to accept such
    a poor performance on saturday especially after the way we played
    against Raith last week in a game we should have won.I have always been
    a supporter of Burley but I just couldn't understand his team selection
    against Killie,firstly Robertson is clearly struggling in midfield,he
    was outstanding at right back when he joined us,so I thought it would
    have made sense to put him back into defence instead of putting Traynor
    back,also we rushed to sign McGuigan for saturday's game and then put
    him on the bench and played Mair who has been injured on and off for
    weeks and hasn't even been playing reserve football.It is got to be
    asked why did we wait so long before introducing Carse,this man
    deserved a game before Mair and even Crews.We simply made too many
    changes from the previous week and we never looked like doing anything.
    We are badly needing an injection of money quickly as we can't survive
    on buying free transfers or juniors,the present board have no money,and
    I have it in good authority that Loudon wants out of Ayr but nobody is
    interested in buying into the club so it looks like gloomy times ahead.
                      one of the many disillusioned
                              Lawrence

    SQF humble man....
    
    
    I hate to say it but I was right......
    
    By all accounts Ayr were lucky to get away with a three nil drubbing...
    
    
    
   Dav Bu's
    
    ps.. The Bu's have stated that they are lookin for some" easy" games
    before we play in the junior cup,so tell George to sit by the phone....
    

    
    Dav,     Well Dav you did warn me indeed,perhaps I should have listened
    to you . "Humble Man" Not for a minuite ,every dog has his day and last
    Saturday was most definetly not ours 8-( but we live to fight another
    day.
    
             As for the 'Ness looking for easy games well your in a league
    full of them,bar the mighty"Rose" that is .
    
               SQF HM ( FOR EVER AND EVER)
    
    Ps    Well done to the Killie played well and deserved the points .
           

    
    
     The sad thing about Saturdays drubbing was that Killie did not look
    particularly good, Ayr were simply shocking. 
    
     Why did Burley sign Robertson, a good and proven full-back, yet
    continue to play him in midfield? Why sign McQuigan(sp), an experienced
    player, but leave him on the bench in favour of a largely untried
    McVie? Why play Mair who has done very little since he came to Somerset
    and who's obviously not 100% fit? Why play Traynor at all, he's been
    crap for months now.
    
     It's hard having a limited pool of players and no cash to spent.
    Burley is doing the best he can with a bad lot but he's made one or
    two silly mistakes in team selections (just my opinion of course).
    
     Danny.

    
    
       Ally Fraser has joined the Ayr reserve team at Stranraer. Given
      the number of ex-Ayr players down there, they must be looking good
      for one of the promotion spots this season.
    
      Danny.

    Kev/Dan
    
            What about a match report from Saturdays game for all us
    ex pats ??
    
    
              SQF HM..

    Ayr United 5 Dumbarton 3
    
    A lively and entertaining match (if you like goalkeeping errors) played
    in horrendous conditions. Ayr swept Dumbarton away in the early stages
    with an attacking display which brought 2 goals in the first 15 mins.
    After about 6 mins Ayr had won 3 or 4 corners and on the last John
    Traynor dived full length at the back post to send a header in off the
    bar. Ayr continued to attack and scored again when Robertson pounced on
    a rebound off the keeper from a Walker shot to blast home from 10
    yards. He looked really chuffed that he had managed to pop one into the
    opponents net for a change. Ayr dropped a gear rather than killing off
    the sons and as a result let them back into the game when Gibson rose
    unchallenged to send a glancing header in off the back post. Cammy
    stood and watched both the cross and the header and appeared rooted to
    the spot. Second half brought another whirlwind start when for about
    the 20th time in the match, Paul Martin fouled big Ally and the ref
    pointed to the spot. Gordon Mair made no mistake with a crisply struck
    shot into the keepers left hand corner of the net. Again Ayr let them
    back into the game with another "Missing In ACtion" performance at a
    corner when Mooney touched home from 3 yards with Cammy the Windmill
    blaming everyone bar himself. Bobby McConville was then ordered off for
    a terrible challenge on McGuigan in 59 mins. In 68 mins it was 4-2 with
    the best goal of the game. A corner from McGuigan was cleared as far as
    Mair on the edge of the box and he hammered a shot over the advancing
    defence and in to the postage stamp corner for a real cracker. Yet
    again the match see-sawed when after another corner which Cammy got
    nowhere near, the ball struck an Ayr defender on the line and a penalty
    was awarded. Mooney made no mistake , sending Duncan the wrong way. 4-3
    Cammy then redeemed himself with a wonderful fingertip save in the last
    minute under severe pressure. The ball was cleared to McVie and he
    started the move which culminated in a cross from McGuigan which the
    keeper fumbled under pressure from Ally and the ball broke to Mair 10
    yards out and he slammed it home to complete the scoring. 
    
    Shotton and Duncan, usually the two players which keep Ayr in the game
    had poor performances which cost Ayr 3 goals. Howard and McVie didn't
    help. Walker had another stinker and Burley only lasted 35 minutes
    before his hamstring went again.
    
    Best for Ayr were Mair,Big Ally, Robertson and McGuigan.
    
    Kev....

    Kev/Fin
    
    
            Are you going to the Stirling match at Warrior land next
    Tuesday if so I could meet you in the club for a pre match beer ?
    
    
           SQF HM..

    Sal,
    	What game is this ?
    
    	I thought the midweek game against stirling was on Jan 26th at
    Somerset (according to the fixture list anyway).
    
    Kev...

    
    
     Kev,
    
        according to the fixture list, Ayr are away to Stirling on the
    1st December which is a week on Tuesday. I don't think I'll be one
    of the many thousands travelling that night!!
    
     Danny.

    Kev/Dan,
    
                Do any of you have any info on Paul McGovern ex Partick and
    Hibs ,who was on the bench in the Dumbarton game .According to the Sun
    Burley is ready to sign him..
    
                               SQF HM..

    
    
    Sal,
    
    	This Paul McGovern wouldn`t happen to be about
    	21 years old would he ?????
    
    Tam.....
    
    

    I have it on good authority, (a thistle fan) that he is quite highly
    thought of but is finding it difficult to break into the first team.
    
    i don't expect Lambie to be too difficult to deal with.
    
    Kev...

    Tam,     Aye,I think he is around that age,spill the beans Tam.
    
                             Sal.

    
    	Sal,
    
    	I`ve played against him, maybe 8 or 9 times at under 18
    	level, when he was with Hutchi Vale & Hibs. 
    
    	He`s a very sound defender, fit, fast,not bad in the air 
    	and he reads the game very well. His only bad point is that
    	he tends to try and be too flash at times and seems to get 
    	caught out quite a bit, but, if the Ayr Utd management can
    	get him to keep his mind on his game, he will do a good job
    	for you`s and could possibly be one to watch for in the future.
    
    	Tam.....
    

    
    
             Anyone got any news on the rumoured return of Bill Barr to the 
    board.Is there also any truth in the rumour that Loudon will be gone by
    Xmas.
    
             SQF HM..
    
                                                                    

    
    
    
    
    
    The POST quoted last night that Shaggy will not be signing for
    liverpool after all,But will he agree terms with GB and sign a contract
    with us, I hope so .
    
    the beath on saturday i'll go for 2-0 victory 
    
    cheers fin...

    
    
    News today that the wise men on the board at Somerset are quite
    prepared to let George Burley move to another job if one becomes
    available. Burley was interviewed last month for the Cambridge Utd
    job but was unsuccessful. The report in the Daily Record also stated
    that Burley was under pressure following recent results and that the
    fans also wanted him to go. 
    
     I don't think Burley should be under any pressure at all, the team
    have lost 2 games at home to Meadowbank and Cowdenbeath. If they had
    won these games they would be challenging for 2nd spot just now. There
    are a few empty-heads in the terracing who would rather return to the
    days of Ally McLeod and division 2 football. Burley has done a lot for
    Ayr United on and off the field with very limited resources. He's had
    to reduce the number of full-time players to save cash and try and
    build a team with free-transfers and young players.
    
     Danny

    Re last
    I read the story in the Daily Record regarding Burley's
    departure,however the SUN carries a story saying the exact opposite.
    Burley is quoted in the SUN as saying that he was down south on family
    business and he will remain at Ayr until his contact expires at the end
    of the season at least but would hope to be at Ayr for years to come.It
    just goes to show how much crap is spoken in the press here we have to
    papers printing conflicting stories.I am a big fan of Burley's and
    those fans who supposedly shouted for his sacking must have really
    short memories.I reckon we can't judge Burley until he has money to
    work with,he has done well with no money.Jim Fleeting had a fortune at
    his disposal but squandered most of it,I am confident that if Burley
    had been given the same kind of money that we would be playing Premier 
    League football.
                                    'L'                                 
    

    L, 
      Hear hear lawrence,GB has done a good job since he took over utd,he's
    got the youth policy started up and is going well.
    I think some of the money problems started when "AULD SENILE McLEOD" 
    gave some duffers fulltime contracts who most of are down at stranraer
    now (all good 2nd div players )and the rest are playing JUNIOR for
    other teams
    
    any predictions for the buddies tomorrow i'll go for a 1-0 victory
    
    
    cheers fin

    
    
    Re last 3..        I agree with all the coments here,it would be a
    disaster if Burley was allowed to leave ,but the fact of the matter is
    if he wants to go then they can't really stop him.I think he would have
    been in foe the Cambridge job, and who can blame him, its a much biggar 
    club than ours and last year it reached the play offs ,( I think).
                      Also add to this the fact that Burley has never sold
    his house down south and that his wife is from that area and you can
    see why this story may hold water.
                      This should be taken as a warning to the Ayr
    board,for if he left we would be in real trouble.Every effort should be
    made to find this man funds to run a serious pool of players with a
    view to promotion.
    
                       SQF HM..
    
                          

    Ayr United 2 - 0 St Mirren
    
    This game started with a storm outside the ground and ended up with one
    inside. For the second time this season, Ayr got the better of Saints
    with a battling second half performance when they were facing the teeth
    of a gale-force wind. Saints started the game as if they would sweep
    Ayr aside easily and it took two excellent stops in the first 3 minutes
    by Super Cammy to keep Ayr in the game. Ayr came more into the game and
    forced a couple of goal-line clearances and some fine saves from Money.
    The pressure eventually told when Ally Graham rose to a Burley free
    kick and headed beyond Money's reach in the 45th minute. He promptly
    dropped his shorts to his knees and revealed the largest pair of white
    y-fronts I have ever seen to the Somerset End. He was booked for this.
    He later explained to reporters that a certain section of the crowd
    were giving him stick and he was "replying" to them. 
    
    Second half started a the first with Saints harnessing a strong wind
    for the first ten minutes and looking likely to equalise although never
    actually getting a shot on target. Again Ayr came into it and almost
    scored when Burley smashed a volley inches over from a corner. They
    controlled the remainder of the game however and had several chances to
    increase their lead before the game exploded in the 82nd minute.
    Lambert went in very late on Gordon Mair  and there was a loud crack
    which initially was thought to be a broken leg. Mair's right shin-guard
    had in fact split in two with the force of the tackle and Lambert was
    ordered off. He even had the cheek to complain and he had already been
    booked. Barry Lavety , Saints star striker was next to go. He had
    arrived after 60 minutes or so and his first tackle was a foul on
    Shotton which the Messiah was less than impressed with and earned the
    Fat One a word in his shell-like from the ref. He obviously did not
    heed this warning as from the free-kick for the Lambert incident the
    ball was played to Mair on the edge of the box and Lavety promptly
    assaulted him. He departed , not surprisingly. The Saints supporters
    were becoming rather irate and a shower of missiles arrived on the
    pitch, aimed mainly at Mair and Graham. 2 minutes later and the game
    was over as a contest when Walker blasted home at the second attempt
    from close range. CHic Charnley , that darling of the Somerset fans
    saved the best to last when he was sent off in the last minute for an
    off the ball incident. It was later alleged in the press that he spat
    on Duncan George. Trust Chico to make my day complete. St Mirren are
    rapidly turning into a team like Airdrie, basically thugs with a
    support to match. They got what they deserved for their disgraceful
    performance. No team has finished a game with 8 men at Somerset in my
    memory (although Killie did against Ayr at Rugby Park in 1988) and the
    SFA must surely do something to combat the Paisley Hooligans, and their
    supporters. 
    
    We now have 20 points from 20 games. The same as this point last year.
    Not such a bad season after all.
    
    Kev...  
    

    
    Good point about our points tally Kev and if we win tomorrow night
    we'll only be 6 points off a promotion place. A nice wee run of results
    over the next 4-5 weeks would certainly put a different face on things
    down Somerset way.
    
    
    
    
    Steep. 

    
    
    
    Dunfermline (AWAY) scottish cup 3rd rnd. jan 9th
    
    cowdenbeath tonight i'll go for 2-1 to utd 
    
    
    fin...

    
    Cowdenbeath 2 - 2 Ayr United
    		      (Graham 14, Traynor 36)
    
    No match report as I missed my first match in about a year, however the
    papers said Graham capitalised on a goalkeeping error and Traynor
    scored from a Mair cross. Cowden came back to equalise twice. Thats 3
    points we've given to them this season and they only have 5 !  
    
    Dunfermline at home on Saturday, another set of thugs who are trying to
    kick their way out of division 1. Look out for Neale Cooper kicking
    anything above grass level as usual and Roddy Grant moaning the face of
    whatever unlucky ref we get.
    
    1-1 draw.
    
    Kev...
    

    
    When you consider we dropped a total of 6 pts to Cowdenbeath,
    Meadowbank and Stirling it shows we've done not too badly against the
    teams above us. If we had been able to take 4 of those 6 points we'd
    be joint 3rd !
    
    Just shows what a crap standard of football is being played in the 1st
    division !
    
    Del.

    
    
    KEV,       I was at Cowden on Tues, it was a point given away.We had
    total control on the game and chucked the point away with two terrible
    defencive errors.The first with the score at 1-0 thanks to Walker diving
    in on the keeper and the ball breaking to Graham who scored from a
    yard,,Howard left his man in the box after Shotton and Burley got done
    at the near post,the 2nd was Burley's fault he also left his man to
    head clear but missed timed his header and the ball dropped to the
    striker who scored past  Cammy with some ease.Traynor scored our 2nd,it
    was the best goal we've scored all season,we actually played some
    football during the build up.Cammy through out to Agnew who passed 30
    yards to Mair who crossed to the edge of the box Traynor brought  it
    down with one pin and bagged it with the other,right in the top corner.
          It was a point dropped but I suppose 6 out of 8 is not bad ,Pars
    next ,that  should be a toughie..
    
                  Cammy    5/10  little to do bar pick them out.
                  Burley   7/10  one error .
                  Agnew    7/10  looks a lot better .
                  Shotton  9/10  best 'half in the league by a mile.
                  Howard   5/10  suspect
                  George   5/10  the usuall .
                  Robertson 6/10 not a bad game but scored the venture to
                                 far .
                  Mair     7/10  a lot better,but  that  wouldn't be hard .
                  Traynor  7/10  "      "     "     "     "     "     "
                  Walker   8/10  Had 3 shots cleared of the line in last min.
                  Graham   6/10  scored 1 missed 3 the usuall.
    
                 subs  McGuigan  4/10  played out of position
                       Carse     not used..
    

    
    
    Another win on Saturday against promotion hopefuls Dunfermline. After
    stuffing St. Mirren last week, Ayr have forced themselves into the
    fringes of the promotion race. The way Raith are going just now, it's
    all about 2nd place for the likes of Killie, Dunfermline, St. Mirren,
    Hamilton and hopefully ourselves, although we've probably got the
    weakest squad amongst those mentioned. However, as Burley said on
    Saturday, there's not much between most of the teams involved in the
    battle at the top. A win against Meadowbank on Saturday could see Ayr
    climb a couple of places in the league. We're then away to Raith on
    Boxing day before the usual stuffing of Killie on the 2nd of January
    (NOT!!!)
    
      According to today's rags, McQuigan (sp) has been released by Ayr and
    somebody Robertson has been signed on a part-time contract from the
    mighty Stirling Albion. Let's hope he's another good freebie picked up
    by Burley.
    
      Danny. 

    "somebody Robertson"
    
    Don't tell me you can't remember the most annoying wee nyaff ever to
    play at Somerset ?  He played midfield for SA and is about 4 foot 11
    when he jumps, and he's 32 ! Another waste of money. 
    
    I see that ambassador to the game of football , namely James " Chic "
    Charnley has finally been shown the door from Love Street. He has
    suffered a fate usually reserved for managers, the boot. How sad .
    
    p.s.  Watch out for Alex Totten taking over at East End Park as I can't
    see Jocky Scott and Gordon Wallace lasting into the New Year the way
    they are going. Saturday's Pars performance was the worst I have seen
    since .......well...... the last time we played them. Hee Hee Hee.
    
    Gloat On !
    
    Kev...

    
    
    
    Hopefully this "wee nyaff" won't be "Another waste of money", Kev. All
    Burley's signings have done a job even if some of them were just for a
    short period of time ie. McLean,Auld.  We have been lacking badly in
    midfield all season, so any addition is welcome. I'm not quite as
    confident as Dan,when he says were back on the fringes of promotion,but
    another 2pts on Saturday will certainly boost the confidence for the 2
    tough games after that. Lets not get carried away just because we
    haven't lost in 5 games....we are a very poor side. Although I've been
    to only a handfull of games this season it is very noticable that the
    standard is not as good as previous seasons. How else could you explain
    Killie being in 2nd place !

    
    
    
    Kev, I presume that's the wee nyaff that was constantly having a go
    at Duncan George and always came off second best. If it is, I can't
    see him improving on what we've already got.
    
      Danny.

    one and the same Danny,
    
    They used to be teammates at Annfield, but they did not appear to be
    mates on the park.  According to Burley he has not signed him purely as
    a squad player and he will be considered on his own merits. I take it
    that means we will not be seeing him in the first team.;-)
    
    The ghost-like atmosphere of the Commonwealth Stadium beckons this
    weekend. Ayr need to win to continue the push up the table and since
    they play Raith,Killie,Dunfermline,Hamilton and Morton after that, it
    could be our only points for a while. I'll go for 2-1 to Ayr. Super AG
    to continue his run and a rare goal from "Psycho Malky Shotton".
    
    Kev...

    
    
    Meadowbank 1 Ayr 0
    
    Well thats 4pts out of 4 lost to Meadowbank as well as 3pts out of 4
    lost to Cowdenbeath !!  
    
    Sad really. We seem to be able to take points off the better sides but
    we can't beat the poorer sides. A win yesterday would have put us in
    joint 4th place.
        
    Del.

    Another 2 points dropped to a bunch of poxy no-hopers who should be in
    Division 2. As usual Ayr looked completely lost in the Commonwealth
    Stadium, something to do with the lack of atmosphere,fans,shelter etc.
    Ayr lost to a goal from Malcolm Coyle after 50 minutes. He was allowed
    too much time and space on the edge of the box and he swivelled to fire
    into the far corner across Duncan. It was a preventable goal which the
    midfield men must take the blame for conceding. It is a while since I
    witnessed such an ineffectul midfield performance. Robertson and
    Traynor were utter rubbish and nobody gave the ball to Mair often
    enough for him to do anything. George started the game well but faded
    and was overshadowed by an excellent performance from Stuart Elder of
    Meadowbank who is one to watch for the future. Stuart "Wee Dwarfy Chap"
    Robertson was given his first outing as a sub for Ayr and looked good
    for about 10 minutes before being dragged down to Ayr's level. Carse
    was brought on for Walker but again got no service. Closest Ayr came
    was a Graham header from a corner which was cleared off the line.
    Most amusing incident was the mass humming of the theme to "The
    Twilight Zone" as Meadowbank ran onto the park accompanied by loud
    booing. They must be the only team who get booed onto the park every
    week, home or away. 
    Raith away next week. Here's hoping for a late Christmas pressie.
    
    

    The story so far.....
    
    
    July
    18th Stranraer  	3-0	Gardner (2),Graham 		
    21st SOUTHAMPTON    1-0     Kennedy
    23rd MOTHERWELL     1-2     Shaw (pen)
    25th SUNDERLAND     0-0  

    August
1   1st  DUNFERMLINE    1-1     Mair		SO Kennedy
1   4th  MEADOWBANK     1-2     Agnew           BK George,Agnew,Robertson
2   8th  Clydebank      1-1     Walker          BK George,Mair
SK  11th Partick Th     0-2     -                    -
2   15th Raith Rovers   0-1     -               BK George
4   22nd KILMARNOCK*    2-0     Kennedy,        BK George,Agnew,Walker,Kennedy
				Montgomerie (OG)   Howard.
5   29th Hamilton       1-1     Graham          BK George
AC  30th Girvan         6-0     Carse 3 Shaw 2
				Howard
    
    September
5   5th  MORTON         0-2     -               SO Howard BK George,Graham
5   12th COWDENBEATH    0-1     -                    -
7   19th Dumbarton      3-0     Graham,Traynor  BK Mair,Agnew
				McTurk
7   26th St.Mirren      0-2     -               BK Kennedy,Walker
BQ  29th ST MIRREN      2-1     Walker (2)           -     
    
    October
9   3rd  STIRLING A.    2-1     Graham (2)           -
11  10th Dunfermline    3-1     Graham,McTurk   BK Robertson
				Traynor
13  17th CLYDEBANK      2-1     Traynor,Mair         -
BQ  20th Kilmarnock     0-1     -                    -
13  24th Morton         1-2     Shotton         BK McTurk
14  31st HAMILTON       0-0     -               BK Howard
    
    November
15  7th  RAITH ROVERS   1-1     Walker          BK George,Walker
15  14th Kilmarnock*    0-3     -               BK George,Walker,Shotton
						   Howard
17  21st DUMBARTON      5-3     Traynor,Mair(3) BK Shotton
				Robertson
-   28th Cowdenbeath    POSTPONED
    
    December
18  1st  Stirling Alb   0-0     -                    -
20  5th  ST.MIRREN      2-0     Graham,Walker   BK Graham,Robertson
21  8th  Cowdenbeath    2-2     Graham,Traynor       -
23  12th DUNFERMLINE    1-0     Graham               -
23  19th Meadowbank     0-1     -               BK George
    
    
    Kev...

    RE.566
    
    Kev,
    
    I beleive that is 4 points these no hopers from the Commonwealth
    Stadium have taken off yous this season !!!
    
    
    SQF Jambo

    Colin,
    	This is indeed true !  Ayr seem to have this failing against weaker
    opposition when we just can't turn our obvious superiority into a good
    result. (Makes me glad we don't have to visit any other poxy no-hopers
    in Edinburgh) 
    However we do manage to gub so-called Premier league and Super League
    teams such as St Mirren and Dunfermline on a fairly regular basis.
    
    Kev...

    
    
      Another goal from Craig Brewster cancelled out Mair's 6th goal
     of the season. Brewster has now scored all 3 of Raith's goals 
     against Ayr this season, and just remember, we tried to sign him
     on several occassions when he was with Forfar. A point away from
     home against the league leaders must be acceptable. Hopefully a win
     next week against Killie who "bottled" it again against a team who
     played the whole 2nd half with 10 men. Shame really!!!
    
      Danny.

    
    
    
     Poor finishing in the first half cost Ayr at least a point in the
    new-year derby with Kilmarnock. Killie had the first chance when a
    mistake by Howard let Williamson through on Duncan but his shot struck
    the post and rebounded clear. Ayr then looked the better team but poor
    finishing and a good performance from Geddes in the Killie goal kept
    the score sheet blank at half time.
    
     Killie caught Ayr straight from the 2nd half kick off when a
    Williamson cross was turned in by Porteous. Kilmarnock then took
    control of the game and really should have scored 2 or 3 more as the
    game wore on. Geddes had a terrific save from Ayr's new signing
    McGivern late in the game to deny Ayr a point.
    
     What do others who were at the game think about Ayr's disallowed goal
    after 10 minutes? I though it was a perfectly valid goal as Geddes had
    made a save, knocking the ball BACK into play therefore playing the
    forwards onside. McGivern was given offside after Kennedy had knocked
    the rebound into the goal, even though from where I was he wasn't 
    interfering with play.
    
     McGivern should be a good signing for Ayr, even though he missed a
    couple of chances against his old team on Saturday.
    
     Danny.

    
    
     A good 2-1 victory against Dunfermline on Saturday has been rewarded
    by a home tie against Rangers in the next round. I personally would
    have preferred the tie to be at Ibrox. Let's face it, Ayr won't win
    the tie and a full house at Ibrox would see a lot of cash coming Ayr's
    way. 
    
     That's 3 wins and a draw against Dunfermline this season. As they say,
    it's a funny old game. Kille are about 8 points clear of Ayr, yet they
    have lost all 3 of their games against Dunfermline this season.
    
     Danny.

    Sandy Loudon has at last seen the light and resigned. He obviously did
    not want to leave while the club were going through a bad patch so he 
    waited until they had beaten the Pars (again) and drawn Rangers at home
    in the next round and decided enough was enough. Donnie McIntyre is the
    new chairman and George Smith has been temporarily co-opted onto the
    board to maintain a quorom. Rumour has it that Alex Ingram and
    A.N.Other will be appointed to the board in due course. It may be due
    to Ingram sponsoring the Paisley Thugs that he will wait until the end
    of the season before coming onto the board. Time will tell.
    
    The game at Douglas Swamp has been re-arranged for Wednesday and will
    definitely go ahead....
    
    NOT !
    
    
    Kev...

    On entry to the Morton game on Saturday you will receive a voucher
    which will allow you to purchase a ticket inside the ground. This was
    on the club call this morning.
    
    ... Stevie

    
    More ticket info....
    
    Rangers have been given the away end (should think so to !) and this
    amounts to 3700 tickets which will be distributed in the normal way.
    
    As Stevie says, Ayr fans attending the Morton game will be given a
    voucher on paying at the turnstiles and this can be used to buy a
    ticket inside the ground. This will probably apply to the game against
    Stirling on the 26th as well. How many of the Ayr tickets will be sold
    during these games I don't know but it will probably mean that some
    will be left and they will go on public sale at the ground nearer the
    time. I hope they don't let many Rangers supporters into the Ayr end.
    Season tickets are valid without the need of a voucher/ticket. 
    
    Looks like some people might need to actually go to a game before the
    Rangers game (morning Del !)
    
    Kev...

    Ayr have apparently signerd Bobby Russel the former Rangers player
    
    
    ... Stevie

    
    re .575
    
    Kev...what are you trying to say !!!!
    
    Me a part time supporter.....nah.
    
    Anyway I've got my ticket courtesy of the supporters club. I couldn't
    risk not seeing the day Rangers treble ambitions bit the dust !
    
    Del.
    
    ps. The Stirling game on Tuesday could be a possilbility.
                                                             

    
    Hello Hello,
    
    	Hi Kev,hate to tell you this but I reckon there'll be a rake of
    red,white and blue mixed in with the black and white stuff. I already
    know of a dozen or so and that's only through here. I reckon after
    Rangers and Ayr have taken up their tickets that 3-4000 will be up for
    grabs. I bet there'll be a few unknown faces at today's game. Possibly
    Ayr's biggest crowd (apart from the the games against your squirrel
    buddies).
    
    		Cheers,
    			Gordon....( I feel a weekend in the homeland coming
    on).

    Hello to you too Gordon,
    
    Unfortunately for Rangers supporters, STRICT segregation will be
    enforced at the game and anyone found in the wrong end will be ejected
    immediately. No one will be allowed into the Ayr end wearing Rangers
    colours and vice-versa. According to the Sunday Mason, almost all the
    tickets were sold on Saturday and the rest are up for grabs on Tuesday
    night. Doesn't look like there will be many left for public sale
    between now and Feb 6th. I know of a few irate supporters who will
    report any interlopers in the Ayr end to the stewards, whose duty it is
    to remove them. (These irate people are enclosurites who had to give up
    their "normal" standing area against Motherwell in the cup last year
    and move to the opposite side of the tunnel , only to find that area
    contaminated with Maroon and Amber scarves, and they are not willing to
    let this happen this year).
    
    
    	Kev...

    Ayr 2 - 2 Stirling Albion
    
    Ayr threw away a point last night in a game they should have won by 2
    or 3 goals. Poor defending saw Ayr 2-0 down after 31 minutes, the first
    a free header at the back post and the second was a free-kick from 40
    yards which eluded everyone and ended up in Cammy's right hand corner
    of the net. To their credit, Ayr never gave up and should have gone in
    at the interval level after so much pressure and chances. Traynor
    finally pulled one back with a tremendous left-foot volley from 20
    yards which screamed over the defence and in at the postage stamp
    corner. Bobby Russell made his debut and was unlucky to see a
    blistering shot deflected onto the bar and to safety. A Mair free-kick
    brought a brilliant save from McGeown and he teams went in with the
    score 2-1 to Albion. Ayr started the second half as they finished the
    first , on the attack, and were eventually rewarded when a pass from
    McGivern found Mair free in the box and he shot into the keepers left
    hand corner. Plenty of pressure in the remaining time only brought
    frustration as the ball would just not go in the net. Closest was
    Russell again with a volley from 10 yards which an Albion defender
    miraculously cleared of the line with a header. All in all , a point
    dropped.
    
    Kev...