Football Season Guide

Ayr United find themselves back in League One after only a year away, in which they failed to maintain their place in the Championship. Over the course of the summer, there has been a significant overhaul in Ian McCall's squad, with no fewer than ten players departing Somerset Park. Of course, the Honest Men have lost their best talent to stronger clubs. Gary Harkins left for Morton while Nicky Devlin was allowed to join Walsall. Additionally, high earners Conrad Balatoni and Farid El Alagui have both departed on free transfers. Otherwise, it has largely been fringe players to have been cut free, although there was something of a surprise that Daryll Meggatt was allowed to depart for Alloa. Ayr have largely replaced them with players from their youth system, although they have added a number of experienced new faces. Among those are strikers Michael Moffat and Craig Moore, who have had successful spells at the club before. The defence has also been boosted by three new signings, including Chris Higgins and Craig Reid, two players who should easily be able to hold their own at this level. Right-back David Ferguson has also featured for the club before on loan and arrives on a permanent basis. In the midfield, meanwhile, Andy Geggan joins up and should be a fine player for this level. The squad was already at a high level and these additions have simply added to it. In particular, the midfield looks a strong unit, with Jamie Adams, Robbie Crawford, Brian Gilmour and Ross Docherty all excellent options to select from. The likes of Adams and Gilmour are both versatile enough to play in the back-four too. In defence, meanwhile, Paddy Boyle is a superb left-back for this level while there are no glaring weaknesses, save perhaps a lack of experience in goal.