Ayr United's most successful season in terms of cup runs is still vibrant in honest men supporters minds and the intense optimism felt after that superb week in March seems a lifetime away.
The close season has seen the demise of two Scottish clubs and the TV deals in both Scotland and England go belly up. The result is an effort on most clubs to cut costs. Ayr United for the first time in a few years is facing the reality of having to live within its income and not depend on handouts from benefactor Bill Barr. Add to that and reluctant Scottish Executive to give permission to build an all seater stadium and that March optimism is a dream from another era.
Ayr have allowed the stalwarts of that cup final team to go and with big Yogi Hughes in particular having gone to league rivals Falkirk. A substantial part of that team has also gone and a group of youngsters will take the field for the opening game of the season, many on one year deals. There is a general feeling that Ayr United have one of the better youth systems and this is borne out by the likes of Kean, Chaplin, Smyth, Latto (16 years old!), Molloy and Dunlop coming through in the latter part of last season.
Alan McManus signed as has Stuart Taylor and Ian Ross. Taylor in particular looks like a good signing as does Ian Nicholson from St Mirren. Although not setting the heather on fire last year for the Buddies he should provide some strength in midfield for Ayr and support the youngsters. At the time of writing it is still hoped that Scott Crabbe, who outplayed many in the SPL during last season's cup runs, will re-sign Add Stevenson and Campbell for this season and maybe it ain't all bad. It may be more of a case of what can Gordon Dalziel do with what is potentialy a good crop of youngsters. I a very weak first division this season Ayr may challenge if these youngsters cam continue the progress seen last season, but my feeling is that Ayr will finish around 3rd of 4th.