Sunderland
Last updated : 15 January 2007 By Honestman
Ayr United had sold their trusty full back Dick Malone to Sunderland during season 1970/71 and a friendly against the English side sealed the deal. It also heralded the opening of Ayr United's covered enclosure at the Somerset Road end of the ground.
It proved subsequently a good move for big Dick as he won an English cup winners medal with Sunderland in 1973.
However, it proved to be somewhat more than a friendly with big Dick himself, playing in the Sunderland side of course, being booked after 19 minutes and the Sunderland captain, Gordon Harris being sent off in 82 minutes. It hadnt been a good day for Harris having a first half penalty saved by Ayr keeper, Jim Gilmour. Phil McGovern scored Ayr's goal from the penalty spot in the 1-1 draw.
On the positive side Ayr opened their new covered enclosure over the Somerset Road end before the game.
The teams met at Somerset Park again on 28th July 1992 when again the game ended in a draw, this time with no goals scored in a better tempered match.
