NEARLY THERE
United could clinch Somerset title for first time in 90 years
Ayr United fans are being urged to turn out in their numbers as history could be made at Somerset Park on Saturday.
Ian McCall’s side have the chance to clinch a league title on home soil for the first time since March 24, 1928 - an incredible 90 years ago.
United have only twice secured a league crown at Somerset, with the first coming in 1912 when they beat Albion Rovers 4- 0 - on the same weekend the Titanic went down.
And it was nine decades ago that Ayr won the league at home in the 1927/ 28 season, despite losing 1- 0 to Dumbarton on the day.
United haven’t won a league title at all since 1997 when the Second Division was clinched with a 2- 0 win away to Berwick.
And Ayr can repeat the feat on Saturday if they beat Stranraer and Raith drop points at home to Queen’s Park.
But gaffer McCall refuses to get carried away with the title talk.
He said: “Winning the league on Saturday is not on our minds.
“It’s the type of season that comes around once in a generation.
“But there’s no way we can think we are at the end yet, we know that things can change very quickly.
“We need to go and take care of business on Saturday, and we need to beat a good Stranraer team.
“They have been in good form, winning their last three games and have an outside chance of getting a play- off spot so it’ll be a tough game.
“If we win we will be five points clear with two games left, which will be a strong position.”
United will be without Paddy Boyle who is out for the season after going off against Airdrie.
He is the third captain to be injured this season, following Chris Higgins and Ross Docherty
McCall said: “It’s a freak that the three captains have been injured. “Boyle’s injury was not too bad, but he will be out for the season - but Higgins and Docherty picked up quite serious injuries.
“We made signings in the transfer window which helped, and means that we haven’t missed Higgins and Docherty as much as we might have done.
“But in the two or three month period that we had up to six players out every week we were struggling due to the type of players that were out.
A total of 675 away fans made the trip to Airdrie on Saturday for Ayr’s comeback 2- 1 win, winning praise for their backing.
McCall said: “I was really proud of the fans at the Airdrie and East Fife games. “The way they got behind Jordan Hart says so much about our supporters, they are tremendous.
“The scenes of the fans and players celebrating was terrific.
● The United Travel Club have already filled seven buses for the trip to Alloa ( April 22). Fans are urged to book ASAP.
Seats will again be £ 3 ( kids under 12 free) and will leave from the club’s Hospitality Suite at 1pm. To book, text Jamie 07792 747354, Jeanne 07599 289517 or Lisa on 07599 289514.