Ayr United F.C.
Bringing glory back to Ayrshire...
Bringing glory back to Ayrshire...
Ayr, Scottland
On June 28th, 2010, Chairman Lachlan Cameron announced the firing of Brian Reid and staff. Taking his place will be former semi-pro, Adonis Pimp. The fact the Reid and staff were let go is not surprising, however, the timing is. Many had figured the staff was safe after hearing nothing for nearly 2 months despite being relegated to the second divison after losing to Morton on the final day of 2009/10 season.
Ayr Chairman Lachlan Cameron
Lachlan Cameron has long been seen by local supporters as one for surprises. In 2009, he put the club up for sale stating he simply couldn't move the team forward or help in their quest for a new stadium on his own finances. Since then, no more word on the matter has come from Cameron as many have reasoned it as a scare tactic to drum up more fans and support.
Somerset Park, Home of Ayr United F.C.
Many will find the firing of Reid and staff to be long overdue after being relegated to start their century year in Ayr. The firings will also be a hit on the chin financialy to the tune of 82K in termination fees. As Cameron has never been one to divulge much, we probably will not get an explanation. What is clear, is that Adonis Pimp will be the new manager of The Honest Men and will need to form a new staff and prepare his team for their first friendly at Annan Athletic on July 6th. Pimp will then be expected to challenge and win promotion to close out the century year for Ayr.
Adonis Pimp's 1st Presser
There was little fanfare this morning as the Adonis Pimp was greeted by a lone reporter from the Ayrshire Post. While he knew his signing would fly low under the radar, he admitted that it is evident of the work ahead of him at Ayr.
An empty room at the Ayrshire Post
Press: You sit here as the new head coach of Ayr. Is this your dream job?
Pimp: I am absolutely delighted to be hired, it really is a dream come true.
Pimp: I am absolutely delighted to be hired, it really is a dream come true.
Press: Do you have an idea of which players you like and those you aren't happy with?
Pimp: Everyone will get a chance to show what they can do.
Pimp: Everyone will get a chance to show what they can do.
Press: How involved do you intend to be in the day-to-day running of the club?
Pimp: I am going to reshape this club from top to bottom.
Pimp: I am going to reshape this club from top to bottom.
Press: How do you see your leadershp style?
Pimp: I think clubs work best when players feel valued as people as well as players.
Pimp: I think clubs work best when players feel valued as people as well as players.
Press: The club is now a bit short-staffed. Will you be addresing that?
Pimp: I will be bringing some of my staff in over the upcoming days.
Pimp: I will be bringing some of my staff in over the upcoming days.
Press: What would you say is your tactical approach to the game?
Pimp: Balanced. It does little good to lock the front and leave the back door open.
Pimp: Balanced. It does little good to lock the front and leave the back door open.
Press: What is the chance you will bouce right back to the 1st division?
Pimp: There is plenty of work to do before we can be sure of that.
Pimp: There is plenty of work to do before we can be sure of that.
Press: It's expected that Eddie Malone may leave. Can you hold onto him? Do you want to?
Pimp: I deally I would like to keep eddie around, but know that may not be possible.
Pimp: I deally I would like to keep eddie around, but know that may not be possible.
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Pimp brings in new Ayr staff
Billy Dodds
On Friday June 30th, Adonis Pimp brought in 4 new faces to shape the Ayr staff.
Ally Maxwell (PT, 80/wk through 2012) - Hired as GK Coach
Jimmy Lindsay (PT, 110/wk through 2012) - Hired as Coach
Ian Rodgerson (PT, 160/wk through 2012) - Hired as Physio
Billy Dodds (PT, 170/wk through 2012) - Hired as Asst Coach.
Jimmy Lindsay (PT, 110/wk through 2012) - Hired as Coach
Ian Rodgerson (PT, 160/wk through 2012) - Hired as Physio
Billy Dodds (PT, 170/wk through 2012) - Hired as Asst Coach.
The most notable name was Billy Dodds. Dodds, an assistant most recently at Dundee, was made redundant this summer and the timing has proved to be perfect as Ayr grab a solid man to help Pimp through the next two seasons. Dodds began his coaching career at Queen of South as a striker's coach in 2007. His playing career saw him with the likes of Chelsea, Dundee, and Rangers, including 26 caps for the Scottish national team.
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Chairman Lachlan Cameron stops by Somerset Park
Chairman Lachlan Cameron on Saturday
Lachlan Cameron, Chairman of Ayr United F. C., was at Somerset Park for a brief visit with Adonis Pimp and to watch the lads warm up. The Adonis Pimp revealed later that he met with Cameron afterward to put the finishing touches on his 975/wk (through 2012) contract. Pimp said the conversation touched on such things as the club still in their centenary year and how to ensure that the club move gracefully into their second century of soccer. They agreed that winning promotion must be the goal and went over the club's payroll budget which currently stands at 4.9k a week. The club will also begin repaying the chairman loans this season which will further tighten things. Of the two loans from Cameron, the 170k loan will cost the club 2.5k a month, while the 1 million loan will run a bill of 6k a month.
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Academy and U-19's get a look...
Sunday July 1st, Somerset Park
17 yr old youth GK Nicky McKenzie was rewarded with his first professional contract paying him $8/wk (FT). Signed through the 2012/13 season, McKenzie will get the chance to continue to develop with the U-19's for 2 more seasons.
Daryl Matthews, 16 yr old youth GK also signed his 1st pro contract paying him $8/wk (FT). Signed through the 2011/12 season, Matthews will also continue with the U19s.
U-19 GK Darryl Matthews
The club also brought up academy starlets, DC J.J. Hackshaw and A/MR Mark Shankland for the first two friendlies. "The experience will be huge for these two young men", said Adonis Pimp. "They have proved themselves worthy of some first team experience."
DC J.J. Hackshaw
A/M R Mark Shankland
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Scottish League Challenge Cup
Scottish League Cup draws held today
.Scottish League Cup draws held today
July 2nd, 2010, Somerset Park
1st round matches were drawn today for both The Scottish League Challenge Cup and Scottish League Cup. The Honest Men will face 3rd division club Stranraer on the road on July 24th in the first round of Scottish League Challenge play. The club will then travel to play 2nd division foe Forfar Athletic on July 31 in Scottish League Cup action.
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