PAYING RESPECT
Entry fee for next home game just £ 5 as a tribute to Ayr great Donald
Fans will pay a bargain £ 5 to watch Ayr United’s next home game in tribute to former chairman Donald Cameron, who died last week.
And Ayr supporters will be given 2000 free clap banners — similar to those used by title winning Leicester City fans — to get Somerset Park jumping.
United, fresh from beating Hibs 2- 1 on Saturday, are set for a bumper crowd for the visit of Dunfermline on Saturday, October 1.
For every season- ticket holder who attends, £ 10 will be given to Alzheimer’s — the disease which claimed Donald’s life.
His son, chairman Lachlan — who succeeded him on the board in 2008, hopes to fly in from California for the game.
A minute’s silence will be held beforehand for the lifelong fan who spent 21 years as a director, the last three of which as chairman.
Donald, 76, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his home in Los Angeles.
Lachlan told the Post: “Dad had a long association with the club which he loved.
“Ayr United was singular to him and me in the family. My brother and sister don’t get it — and my mum just puts up with it.
“One of dad’s best friends, Donald Grant, also lost his wife to Alzheimer’s. For a long time, he has been wanting to sponsor the club so this is the right opportunity.
“The Cameron and Grant families will make up any shortfall in gate money, caused by the reduced prices, and will make the donations to Alzheimer’s as a gesture to recognise our season- ticket holders.
“This is more than trying to gain a material advantage by offering good value to get a big support for an important game.
“It is about trying to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s.”
Donald, an investment broker, was a close friend of former chairman Bill Barr after the pair studied together at Glasgow Uni.
He joined the board in 1987 and became chairman in 2005 after Barr stepped down.
Donald, whose funeral is on Tuesday, is survived by wife Marian and children Lachlan, Donald and Fiona.