Second Summer Update

Since arriving back in Scotland from his trip to meet chairman, Lachlan Cameron in California, USA, has sealed a further four players as well as himself, Michael Moffat and Ross Robertson.

Robertson, after cup final defeat in 2002.

Roberts secured the signatures of both youthful and experienced players, 36 year old, defender and part of the 2002 League Cup Final team, John Robertson has agreed to give his services to the club for an other year. 'Robbo' first joined Ayr from Stranraer in 1997 were he stayed for three years before leaving in 2000. Robertson then joined English side, Oxford United before returning Ayr the following year. After an other successful year at Somerset Park, he then joined St. Johnstone for two years, after leaving the Perth club he signed for Ross County for a year. After a year in the Highlands he joined Hamilton Academical for one season before moving to Partick Thistle. He stayed at Partick for five years making over 150 appearances for the Glasgow club before embarking upon his third stint at Ayr United. Manager, Roberts spoke of Robertson's love of the club "He knows the game inside out and is an Ayr boy at heart. He loves Ayr United and that is one of the main reasons I wanted him in my team. He’ll be excellent for us next season".

Martyn Campbell

Martyn Campbell, the club vice-captain (to Mark Roberts) has also agreed to play for the Honest Men next season. Campbell, the current longest serving Ayr player, signed from junior side Irvine Meadow in 2005, has started 165 times for Ayr in an unfortunately injury plagued career. Campbell, 31, made 14 appearances in the whole of last season due to injury is the brother of former Ayr United, Falkirk, Raith Rovers and Queen of the South defender, Mark Campbell.

Roberts has also managed to acquire the services hot-prospects, Robbie Crawford and Mark Shankland for the coming campaign. Crawford made his first competitive start for Ayr United under Brian Reid in Ayr United'd final First Division game against Falkirk last month, sealed a new deal with Roberts, who is keen to make sure that most of the squad comes from the academy. Shankland, 16, has represented Scotland at  Under-17 level earlier this year, made his Ayr début from the bench away to Brechin in 2011 and is officially the youngest player to play for Ayr also signed for the season ahead.

Roberts confirmed that keeper, Kevin Cuthbert has left the club, to join Hamilton Academical in the First Division. `Marko` revealed that, relegation was the key factor in Cuthbert's move and said he may of stayed had Ayr won the play-offs.

The new boss has also made clear that he has made offers to players who are currently plying their trade at a higher level and has received mainly positive results, despite no-one putting pen-to-paper just yet.

He confirmed his pre-season friendly plans. Ayr United have arranged a friendly at home to Partick Thistle as well as an away match with Queens Park, at lesser Hampden on the 10th July. Roberts also said he is interested in playing against a junior side as well as Motherwell, who have qualified for the Champions League qualifiers and finally a top English Club from either the Premier League or Championship.  

Roberts, since taking the job a few weeks ago, has received many words of support from his friends in football. Roberts said that "I have spoken to a number of experienced individuals who have offered their support. I spoke to Owen Coyle [current Bolton Wanderers manager] and he said that he will bend over backwards to help me if I ever need anything. That was really good of him".

First close season update

New Ayr boss, Mark Roberts has started to plan for next season by re-signing key players from not only last season but the previous Second Division campaign two years ago.

Robertson modelling last seasons kit 

Local boy, Ross Robertson was the first to re-sign for next season. Robertson, who joined from the youth system two-years ago, has in his time at the club played as a midfield, defence and two appearances as a striker. Roberts has stated he sees `Rossco’s` natural position as a striker and that the previous management had played him out of position, Roberts intends on utilising him as a striker.

Shortly after Robertson’s signing, Michael Moffat followed suit. Moffat signed a new deal at Somerset Park last night (Fri 01/06/12) for the season ahead, after finishing his day job as a delivery driver for a local fish company. `the Moff` joined Ayr in January 2011 from local junior side, Girvan, and made his debut in a 1-0 win away to Alloa Athletic. Moffat see’s the club’s ambition for the coming season as regaining promotion to the First Division. Gaffer, Roberts see’s the `Moff` as a “twenty goals-a-season player”, if he is played in his correct position of striker.

Moffat celebrating with Alan Trouten

So far Roberts has secured himself, Moffat and Robertson for the season ahead with others expected to sign soon. He has offered deals to others, but many are waiting to see what other options are available. Chris Smith has been linked with Falkirk, as well as Jonathan Tiffoney who remains contracted for next season but has been denied due to the under-23 clause.

Roberts is keen to invest in youth and has stated “There are definitely boys in that team that can step up and break into the first team. Mark Shankland was ridiculously good in that game [a 14-1 victory over Montrose]. He was just so confident on the ball. If he can break into the first team and be as confident on the ball as he is in the Academy games then he will have a big future”. In fact, Robert’s assistant manager, Davie White is the head of ‘youth development’ for the Ayr United Football Academy.

However, some familiar faces have departed Somerset Park, Eddie Malone has joined Raith Rovers and the club has parted ways with Gareth Wardlaw and Ryan McWilliams as well as all of Reid’s loan signings.

Roberts, 36, recently back from his trip to Los Angeles to meet with chairman; Lachlan Cameron arrived back in Scotland to the news that the world’s largest online gambling company, Bodog, have renewed their sponsorship for next season despite relegation. Founder and billionaire, Calvin Ayre said “I had a blast on my visit last year and got stuck into the Hendrick’s Gin pretty hard as well as taking a day at the racetrack to have a bet or two before heading to Somerset Park. This summer’s press conference will be another good show as we unveil the new strip and no doubt a few girls as well.” Hugh Cameron, the clubs commercial director also added “Bodog’s ability to promote the club on a global level saw us attract record shirt sales last season including our first shipments to Asia which is just what this club needs and I’ve no doubt it will be similar next season. In the meantime I look forward to the madness that is the Bodog kit launch later in the summer.”