SOMERSET SPARK
Brand new Ayr moneyman Mart eyes best spell in years
Ayr United’s new commercial chief reckons he’s walked into the most exciting era at the club in decades.
Martin Tocker says The Honest Men are a brand going places thanks to the revolution off the park at Somerset.
And the fan-turned-suit has pledged to help drive their rebirth as a thriving community club.
Martin, who has followed United on the terraces for more than 25 years, admits taking on the role is a dream come true.
He told the Post: “There doesn’t need to be any gimmicks to what I’m doing here.
“I want to get back to basics and get the club embracing the community – be that through advertising boards, player, match and ball sponsorships or whatever.
“That’s the bread and butter of this job and I can’t wait to get out there knocking doors and leaving no stone unturned.
“I’m coming in at a time of great ambition at the club with what’s happening off the park.
“I think these are the most exciting times in my period of following the club and the years ahead promise to be very positive.
“But we obviously need to maximise that in every part of the business and that is a key part of my remit.” Dad-of-one, Martin, first got hooked as a young Honest Man when playing boys’ football for Dalry Colts.
He explains: “Our team was given free tickets to attend a game by Bill Barr back in the day and it just went from there.
“I would come with my dad and that’s the sort of classic thing we need to be good at – engaging that young fanbase that is the future.
“I also want to get out there and bring more of the community on board when it comes to sponsoring the club.
“You shouldn’t need to be an Ayr fan to back your local football team – there needs to be a real feeling of community and pride in the town as a whole.
“Arbroath are a great example of a club who’ve tapped into their community and are making giant strides as a result. “There’s no reason we can’t do the same.” Martin, 39, added: “For me this is a blank canvas.
“There’s so much potential with the football club and what we can achieve in the surrounding areas.
“We need to get out there and shout about ourselves and make sure people know the great things that are happening here.
“It will take old fashioned hard work but I can’t wait to get my sleeves rolled up and get started.”