Ayr today ... gone tomorrow
Sloan to send Honest Men packing like they did to him
AUCHINLECK TALBOT boss Tommy Sloan admits packing his bags at Ayr was his toughest day in football.
But sending the Honest Men packing from the Scottish Cup could turn out to be the sweetest.
The long-serving Bot gaffer landed a dream fourth-round tie when his junior big guns were handed an Ayrshire derby.
Beechwood Park will be rammed to the rafters in January but it will be a special encounter for the manager.
Sloan said: “I’ve got a few ex-Ayr boys in the squad so I know what it’ll mean to them. I was there as well but that was back in nineteen canteen!
“I signed for George Caldwell in 1983 and it was a good side, with the likes of Alan McInally and Bobby Connor.
“I remember my first game. I was playing as a trialist against Dumbarton and we had to win to stay up.
“I was up front and we managed to win the game and I got a contract. I was always
fighting to get into the side and I never quite managed to achieve it. I loved my time at the club though.
“I remember Ally McLeod letting me go. It was the biggest blow ever.
“You just need to get on with it but in terms of high points it wouldn’t get much better than beating them in the Cup.
“It’s a huge ask but it’s a great tie to look forward to.”
Talbot have gone to the Highlands in all three previous rounds against Wick, Cove and Fraserburgh, who were dumped at the weekend, and racked up more than 1400 miles.
A clash with Ayr was some reward with more than 4000 expected for one of the ties of the round. Sloan said: “We were on the bus back from Fraserburgh when the draw was taking place. The boys all had their phones out, watching it live, and you can imagine their reaction. “There was a big cheer and they were all delighted. When you get to this stage you are hoping to land a tie against a Premiership side but drawing Ayr was right up there. “It’s a local derby against a team flying high in the Championship. It’s a cracker. “Obviously it’s a team we know well and keep close tabs on. We knew they put a top junior side out in the last round in Beith.
“There’s going to be huge interest. I don’t know actually how many Beechwood Park holds – but we’ll soon find out.
“I image it will be a full house. There might be one or two Ayr fans going as well.”
Sloan has been in charge at Beechwood for more than 15 years and picked up honours every step of the way, including seven Scottish Junior Cups.
Talbot have now reached the Scottish Cup fourth round for only the second time in their history and he reckon the competition owes them a break after going out in agonising fashion on their last run this far.
Auchinleck gave Hearts a big scare in 2012, eventually losing an 84th-minute goal then seeing Gordon Pope’s last-gasp leveller ruled out in controversial circumstances. Sloan said: “I
can’t believe it’s seven years ago but it still sticks in my mind. We didn’t play that well offensively but defensively we were superb.
“I still think about that goal we scored. It was flagged offside but it was on. I watched it on Sportscene that night and couldn’t believe it.
“Gordon Pope – who is still at the club – should have scored the equaliser that day but it was a great day for the club.
“We came close but hopefully go one better this time. We’ve done well in the Cup against Highland League clubs who are a good standard. It’s nice to be at home after all the travelling.
“It’s a tremendous tie but it’s also match I’ve got to try to get a result in. We’ll do our homework between now and then.
“Ian McCall won’t take anything for granted. They will know what to expect and won’t take us lightly.”