End of a poor season- The start of the Rebuild

As the curtain finally falls on the season, Ayr fans can finally draw a sigh of relief and look ahead.

On the pitch, it has been one of the worst seasons in the Honest Men's history: Attendance figures have dropped the lowest in a 103 year history, out of the Scottish Cup by the Start of December, failure to secure a play-off spot by some distance, and the list goes on. However, can some positives be drawn from this season?

The Railway End had a new roof fitted.

Yes. This season like no other has given younger players a break in the first team, Robbie Crawford, who is only 18 has been a stand out player for United and highlights the great work being done within the club's Academy system, and it hasn't gone unnoticed, Crawford, who was named the clubs Young Player of the Year went on trial with Mark Shankland and David Sinclair at Birmingham City, with Brum showing further interest in Crawford and Shankland, with gaffer, Mark Roberts quoting that Birmingham may have been willing to pay £250,000 for the pair, this has since faded away, meaning Crawford and Shankland may still be an Ayr players next year.

This season also saw needed stadium re-developments. The Main Stand roof, that was in bad need of repair has been totally replaced as with the Railway End roof and new kitchens fitted in the Main Stand. In January, the club appointed a new director, Jim Kirkwood who also proposed further redevelopments to Somerset Park, that are yet to materialise.

And Finally, the biggest positive from this season. A man who's contribution to the club has not gone unnoticed, raising over £20,000 towards the playing budget. Somerset Boab. Not many people would be as willing to put in as much hard work to raise funds for the club as Boab.

Looking ahead to next year, surely it can only get better?

Will Eddie Malone return?

Boss, Roberts. Who is contracted for the next year, has revealed his number one priority for the coming season is retaining goalkeeper, Graeme Smith, with number two Ally Brown being released.

However following exit of left-back Austin McCann, who had a good second half of the season after being put into his natural position of left back from the centre of defence, Eddie Malone, who spent two years at Ayr between 2010 and 2012 has been released by Raith Rovers, and could he possibly make a return to Somerset Park? But Malone, if he signs, will have the competition of young Jackson Longridge, who has inhabited the left back role, successfully at the end of both this year and last year.

Chris Smith

Another weakness this year is right-back. Kyle McAusland, who was on-loan from now newly-promoted, Rangers could feature against Ayr for Rangers next season and with Ayr Legend, John Robertson finally hanging up his boots, how can fill the gap at right back?

John Robertson retires

And after shipping sixty-five league goals this year, surely Roberts' number one priority has to be the defence. And with Falkirk appointing Grant Holt as manager recently, does Chris Smith now have a future at The Falkirk Stadium? Smith, better known as 'Junior' hadn't featured for Falkirk since late October before a loan move back to Ayr in February after falling out with manager Steven Pressley, now in charge of Coventry City, will he make the permanent switch to Ayr in the Summer?

Michael McGowan

After an other season plagued by injury, will Martyn Campbell feature for Ayr next season? He is definitely good enough to play for Ayr, and is no longer getting paid by the club while out injured, so will probably be in the squad next season and can hopefully provide some more defensive stability, that was required this season.

And the future of winger Michael McGowan? His performances in the First Division and Cups last year were exceptional and has unfortunately not been able to play since the start of this season with ongoing knee problems, but once he has made a full recovery, McGowan has the potential to be a handful to any defence in the Second Division, especially with the assistance of Michael Donald, now on the left wing.

Crawford went on trial at Birmingham City.

After an excellent start to the campaign for midfielder, David Sinclair, the later stages where far less flattering. Sinclair, who bagged ten goals this season, may find that his earlier form has saved his Ayr United career. However, the same doesn't have to be said for his midfield partner, Robbie Crawford, whose consistency and quality has been a shining light for Ayr fans this year, took his opportunity when Ryan McStay picked up an injury earlier in the season, has now became one of the best players in the United team

And finally, the Upfront role, Davie Winters and Liam Buchanan are on there way out of Somerset Park, Buchanan is currently linked with a Russian Second Division side, but Player of the Year and Top scorer, Michael Moffat looks like he will be at Ayr next year, Moffat signed from local junior side, Girvan in the January window of 2011, has since started over 100 times scoring 38 times. But how can partner the Moff upfront? Well, Keigan Parker, who scored one of the greatest goals ever scored into the Somerset Road End against Dundee at the end of last season is now at junior side, Shettleston and can surely be tempted into a move back into senior football.

Exiting:
Ally Brown (Released), Austin McCann (Released), Marc Twaddle (Released), Ryan McStay (Released), David Winters (Released), Liam Buchanan (Released), Kyle McAusland (End of loan - return to Rangers), Chris Smith (End of loan - return to Falkirk).