Ayr United FC is Scotland’s ninth-oldest professional football Club, born in 1910 from the merger of Ayr FC and Ayr Parkhouse. Unity built our foundationand it still fuels our journey today.
Our Club
Ayr United was formed in 1910 from the merger of two Clubs, Ayr FC and Ayr Parkhouse, and began playing at Somerset Park, Ayr, Scotland.
The Club had early success and won the Scottish League Division Two title in 1911–12 and 1912–13 and is elected to Division One in 1913–14, spending a total of 34 seasons in the top flight, with its best finish being fourth place on two occasions. Ayr United participated in the first post-World War II season by dropping to the newly formed Division B. Promotion, relegation and a cup final!
The Club experiences numerous promotions and relegations throughout the mid to late 20th century, including winning the Division Two title in 1958–59, 1965–66, 1987–88, and 1996–97.
In the 2001–02 season, the Club reaches the final of the Scottish League Cup its first major cup final, ultimately losing to Rangers.
The “Honest Men”
Our nickname is derived from a line in Robert Burns’ poem “Tam o’ Shanter,” which reads, “Auld Ayr, wham ne’er a toon surpasses, for honest men and bonnie lassies”.
Recent seasons has seen the team achieve our highest-ever points total in the Championship, secured the third-highest player transfer fee in club history and finished second in 2023 and third in 2024, reaching promotion playoffs both years
Somerset Park
Our home is Somerset Park, a classic Scottish stadium, nestled in the heart of the town. While most of its structure harks back to the early 1900s, it has evolved with modern features: a new stand with vibrant hospitality areas, a welcoming supporters’ social hub, a refurbished car park, and enhanced training facilities for both our players and the wider Ayr community.
Original Main Stand, designed by renowned football stadium architect Archibald Leitch in 1920, with a seated capacity of 2,592.
Somerset Park, with the original Main Stand in the foreground ,facing the new North Stand, opened on 5th July 2024.
Recent history
In 2013–2014, the Club was placed in the newly formed Scottish Professional Football League, and wins the Scottish League One title in 2017–18, earning promotion to the Scottish Championship.
Ally MacLeod
1931 — 2004
Our record attendance is 25,225 for a match with Rangers FC on 13th September 1969.
Ally MaCleod was Ayr United’s most successsful manager, guiding the team on three separate occasions.
He capped a rewarding first spell at Somerset by twice winning promotion into the top flight and guiding the ‘Honest Men’ to a Scottish Cup and League Cup semi final.
After managing the Scottish National Team at the World Cup in 1978, he returned to Ayr United on two occasions, with his last trophy coming in his third and final spell, winning the Second Division title in 1988 (pictured).
The town of Ayr is the administrative centre of South Ayrshire Council, and the historic county town of Ayrshire. With a population of 46,982, Ayr is the 15th largest settlement in Scotland and second largest town in Ayrshire by population.
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Our Town
Ayr served as Ayrshire’s central marketplace throughout the medieval period and was a vibrant port that harboured one of Scotland’s largest fishing fleets.
On the southern bank of the River
Ayr sit the ramparts of a citadel constructed by Oliver Cromwell’s men during the mid-17th century.
The New Bridge, designed by Robert Adam, one of Britain’s most important architects.
Towards the south of the town is the birthplace of the famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns, whose statue stands in the main Square of Ayr Town Centre.
The Waverley,
world’s last sea-going paddle steamer, regularly sails from Ayr Harbour
Culzean Castle
Perched on the edge of a cliff, 12 miles south of Ayr, Culzean Castle was the ancestral home of the Kennedy family, one of Scotland’s oldest clans.
The castle has a connection to U.S. President Eisenhower, who was giften an apartment there for life as a token of gratitude from the people of the United Kingdom following The Second World War.
Slàinte mhath!
(traditional Scots for ‘good health’ or ‘cheers’)
Ayrshire is home to the award-winning Arran distillery, where fine single malts are produced in Lochranza and Lagg.
The nearby Grant’s Distillery shapes global favourites like Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and Monkey Shouldercontinuing Scotland’s reputation for excellence - one dram at a time!
Dumfries House
The House is situated just 14 miles south of Ayr and is part of a grand estate.
Revitalised by The King’s Foundation - a charity established by King Charles III to promote a more sustainable approach to building, craft, and education. The House is regularly visited by The King and Queen and serves as the charity’s headquarters.
The Birthplace of Open Golf
Ayr anchors a region known for world-class golf. Sitting just minutes from Somerset Park, Old Prestwick is recognised as the birthplace of The British Golf Open, with the inaugural Championship being held at the links course on Wednesday 17 October 1860. Other legendery British Open venues, Royal Troon and Trump Turnberry, are only a short drive along the coast.
Ayr United is more than just a football club. It represents passion, pride, and the spirit of its people. Rooted in the history and beauty of Ayrshire, it stands as a symbol of what community ambition can achieve - a reminder that football is not only about the game, but about belonging.
Our Legacy
The journey of Ayr United is marked by unforgettable milestones. In 1969, a record 25,225 fans packed Somerset Park to witness a historic 2-1 victory over Glasgow Rangers - a moment etched in club legend.
Today, that legacy is carried forward under the leadership of Scott Brown (right), a rising managerial talent with deep roots in Scottish football. Former Captain of Celtic FC, Brown led his team through a decade of unmatched success and earned 55 caps for Scotland. His energy and vision are driving Ayr United into a bold new era.
Player Legacy
Off-field Legacy
Off the pitch, we’re shaping futures. In 2024, Ayr United was awarded UEFA’s silver medal for delivering the second-best community initiative in Europea pioneering childcare scheme offering free after-school care to low-income families across the region. Backed by the Scottish Government, it’s now a national blueprint for change.
Our ex-players continue to rise on the world stage and influence the sport:
Luke McCowan (left) starred for Celtic in the Champions League.
Scott McKenna (right) has played in both the English Premier League and La Liga.
Your Legacy
Honouring our past, building our future
Ayr United honours its past, but we’re striving to build a future where our team competes at the highest levels, week in, week out. This is more than sport. It’s a movement built on integrity, imagination, and impact.
Our Vision
To make history in this generation - both on and off the field.
To entertain, engage, and inspire the town of Ayr and its surrounding communities, with a club that honours its traditions and boldly embraces progress and innovation.
Become a Black & White Knight
We are seeking external investment to strengthen our squad and fuel our push for promotion. The path is clear. The momentum is real. Together, we can write the next great chapter in Ayr United’s story. For a £250k investment, you’ll receive:
• Certification of being a Black and White Knight for 5 years.
• A one-year term on the Football Club Board to help decide on strategic direction.
• Special Dinner in the ‘Knights Lounge’ at Somerset Park for the first home match of every league season (August).
• Two tickets for the Boardroom for any match at Somerset Park.
• Two tickets for away matchdays in the Boardroom (subject to availability).
• A cask of Arran Whisky
• Your name added to the ‘Black and White Knights’ Board at the North Stand.
• Your name on a bespoke ‘Knights’ jersey.
• Team entry to the Ayr United Golf Day in June each year (3 players).
• X rounds of golf at Trump Turnberry*
• X rounds of golf at Trump Turnberry, King Robert the Bruce Course.*
• X overnights at Trump Turnberry, Dumfries House or Culzean Castle.*
*Subject to availability on selected days.
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