Mark McKenzie: “You dream about these things as a kid - scoring the winner in front of our fans is something I can’t put into words. I just had to stay cool when the chance arrived and not let the size of the moment come into my head. Thankfully I stuck it away.”
Lee Bullen: "If Carlsberg did first games, this was it. The fans were cheering every block, tackle and clearance and that's the type of togetherness you want at a football club. We've now set the standard and it's up to us as staff to help the players replicate that."
Chairman David Smith: “It’s an indescribable feeling. The scenes on the park at the end said everything about this club and its togetherness. This means so much - from the financial side to the achievement on the pitch. It’s such a special night for everyone.”
Lee Bullen: “They say every game is just three points. But this is different. This is almost a thank you to the fans who’ve been tremendous for us the past few games. I thought we were tremendous tonight and could have won 3-1 or 4-1 in the end.”
Lee Bullen: “Nights like tonight come along for clubs like Ayr United few and far between. I’ve a 34-year-old in Chris Maguire who’s played at the top level telling the boys he’s never been involved in anything like it. It’s incredible and we look forward to the play offs now.”
"My best mate Mason is the lad who bangs the drum in the Somerset Road End. So for me to go from that to pulling on the shirt...there's just no better feeling."
Lee Bullen: "We're celebrating finishing eighth in the league and that's not something I want this club to be doing year in, year out moving forward. But this gives us stability and allows us to start planning for the future."
Driving through town tonight, notable how many kids are out and about in Ayr shirts having been at Somerset today. A real feeling that something positive is happening.
"People I bump into in the street have been so welcoming and I definitely get the sense of how long they’ve waited for the club to move in the right direction. The word potential is often used but we’re right to big that up." - Lee Bullen special coming soon.
Akinyemi’s name (deservedly) up in lights. But worth noting that since Mark McKenzie’s arrival from the bench at Queen’s Park, Ayr have scored 10 goals in 4 games - 6 of them for Akinyemi - who is reaping the rewards of McKenzie’s selfless work. A genuine partnership.
Harris Weir (6) jetted in from New York today to take his place among United's mascots against Raith. Dad Andy said: "He must be the only kid running around NYC dreaming of being the next Dipo Akinyemi."
Ends 2-0. Big effort from Ayr tonight - stayed disciplined in their shape and worked their socks off during that shift. Rightly being applauded by the 1,700 travelling support at full time.
When we arrived to shoot these award pics, it was Lee Bullen who specifically requested that a squad and staff pic was also done to highlight the team effort behind such accolades. The current success of Ayr United encapsulated in one image.
Significant news out of Somerset today as Ayr post their best turnover in the club's 114-year history. "Our future has never looked brighter," say United chiefs.
Scott Brown: "Those fans behind the goal were brilliant last night and kept singing for the full 90 minutes in horrible conditions. We want to give them something back with a good, winning style of football to enjoy moving forward."
Special mood inside Somerset tonight. Lot of youngsters who will go away with memories to fill their summer. Club has a huge chance now to harness that and build moving forward.
"I've always believed there would be a chance for me in this game if I did things the right way. I've had the most fun of my career this year," says
@Dipo_Akinyemi
🗨️Lee Bullen: "I would never give anything less than 100%. Not many would say they had more passion, hard work or fight than me on the pitch. Hopefully that transfers into my coaching and I can help the players here to improve."
Ayr squad latest. Sam Ashford signs extended two year deal at Somerset. Charlie Albinson agrees new one year contract to stay and fight for number one spot.
Lee Bullen: "If you are a neutral you'd have loved that game and both sets of players deserve real credit. The emotional turmoil it puts me and the coaching staff through isn't great. But if it gets us three points we'll take it every day of the week."
Full time. Big night for Ayr. Clinical in first half and managed the game brilliantly after that with flashes of their old self going forward. Really pleasing stuff from the likes of Musonda and Maguire coming in - and Akinyemi in unplayable mode leading the line.
Lee Bullen: “That was more like the Ayr United of earlier this season. There’s been a bit of pain over these last few weeks and some questions have been asked. Tonight the players really stood up and answered those at probably the toughest place to come in the league.”
Great to hear Eddie Annand will be back at Somerset this Saturday with the Former Players’ Club. Eddie is sadly - but bravely - battling a brain tumour and doing all he can to raise awareness of the condition.
For more info visit where you can donate to…
A delegation of
@AyrUtdAcademy
teams will head for Liverpool this weekend. The Reds keen to welcome Ayr off the back of former United youth star Ben Doak’s impact at Anfield.
🗨️Lee Bullen: "We understand the enormity of Friday night. The players have deservedly enjoyed the moment. But only part of the job is done – we hopefully have four games ahead of us now to give everyone something to remember.”
💬Lee Bullen: "For many, this Saturday will be Scotland's match of the day. A lot of emotion will surround the former manager and ex-players coming back - but emotion in football is a good thing and it's about how we harness it to our advantage."
Big day for Ayr United landing Aiden McGeady. 93 caps for his country and a stacked CV. He arrives taking up an innovative role, but if Ayr can get him anywhere close to flying on the park, they will have pulled off quite the coup.
“I’m not one of those people who focuses on the negatives. It would be easy to think...why me? I have that fire in my belly to return and prove my ability.”
Just three years ago,
@Michael_Rose5
was coming off the bench at Dumbarton as a gangly centre half without much direction. Ian McCall even toyed with making him a holding midfielder. His rise to the English Championship has been meteoric - and totally deserved.
Davie White: “I warned the players to make sure the new manager wasn’t needing to come down for a chat at half time! I thought they handled the conditions well and it was a big win for us.
“Doing the role again over the past couple of games has been a joy for me - coming into…
Two months in and Lee Bullen is really building something. He - and his new look team - really deserve a big turnout on Friday night for the derby. Players that are playing for the jersey and doing it with a smile on their faces.
Lee Bullen: “We had words at half time and got a reaction. As a footballing staff the belief we have in this group is second to none and I’m delighted they came out and showed why.”
💬"We remember well that special atmosphere against Partick on the final night of last season. When Somerset is like that, there is no better place to watch your football. Let's hope for similar this Friday."