PRIDE & JOY
McCall savours chance to share title success with son
Emotional Ian McCall says sharing title glory with his proud son was the best moment of his life.
The boss confessed he clung to teenage son, Edson, as the pair broke down in his office.
It followed Ayr’s last day title heroics as Somerset Park witnessed a promotion party.
McCall revealed: “I wasn’t keen on Edson being there as, football being the way it is, I knew Saturday could have turned a bit sour.
“But he was determined to come and the emotion at the end was incredible.
“As soon as the final whistle went, we headed for my office and there were tears. It was an amazing moment.”
Partying players and fans are still on cloud nine following Ayr’s last-day title triumph.
United are on their way back to the Championship, with McCall insisting his players can make an impact.
He said: “There is no reason the likes of Robbie Crawford, Michael Rose and Lawrence Shankland cannot make their presence felt in the Championship.”
Keeping hold of Shankland, League One’s Player of the Year, will prove Ayr’s biggest task. McCall said: “This decision should come down to more than football.
“Seldom have I seen a player who is as loved by supporters as Lawrence.
“He is settled and happy here and knows he is capable of scoring 20-plus goals in the Championship.”
Paddy Boyle, Craig Reid, David Waite and Lyle Avci were released on Tuesday as planning began for next season.
Changes to United’s full-time set-up could also be made as McCall aims to establish the club in the league above.
“We’ve had teething problems in our first year,” said the Ayr boss.
“Instead of training for half the week in Glasgow, I want to see us based entirely in Ayr. If we say we’re a community club, we have to mean it.
“I’ll be speaking to the council and looking at possible facilities.”
In a statement to fans, chairman Lachlan Cameron, who joined partying supporters on Saturday night, added: “I wouldn’t swap the feeling I’ve had for the last two days for anything.
“And the fact that it was a long road to get here makes it almost sweeter.
“Don’t get me wrong, I would love to win trophies every year, but the reality is that it’s not an annual event.
“Savour this moment and remember it forever.”
●The League One trophy will be on display at the club shop this Saturday between 11am-4pm, when Ayr’s new home kit and Champions merchandise will also be on sale.
Pick up next week’s Ayrshire Post for a special Champions Souvenir Edition.