LACHLAN CAMERON EXCLUSIVE

It was the appointment that should never have been.

That was until one inspired phone call almost four years ago.

As Ayr hunted for a new boss, Ian McCall’s passion for a return to the game proved pivotal.

“We’re both pretty open about this,” admits Lachlan.

“I had absolutely no intention of appointing Ian.

“He wasn’t on our shortlist but after being handed his CV I owed it to him to have a chat.

“And he immediately changed my thinking and our direction of travel.

“After Brian Reid and Mark Roberts, I was mindful we had given a chance to young managers.

“In Ian, we got someone with a proven track record who was just what we needed at that time.”

With success has come suitors and Falkirk’s failed bid to lure McCall last month revealed a close bond between manager and chairman.

The United gaffer insists his loyalty to Cameron was the overriding factor in staying at Somerset.

Lachlan said: “It was a breath of fresh air to hear that.

“Loyalty, especially in football, is not something you get a lot of these days.

“But I’m a firm believer that if you show loyalty in life, you get it in return.”

Lachlan added: “It wasn’t so long ago that large sections of our support wanted Ian sacked when we were relegated.

“But we had a very clear path we were following and thankfully that was never a consideration for me.

“Our relationship is great – I let him get on with the day job and as long as it produces results, that’s all that matters to me.”