Latest news with #AyrUnited
Daily Record
44 minutes ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Former Ayr United women's star on her humbling coaching mission to Africa
Clare Docherty was part of the recent Scottish Football For Rwanda trip featuring coaches and young Scots players. A former Ayr United women's football star has told of her humbling experience coaching kids in Africa. Clare Docherty jetted thousands of miles to take part in an inspiring project teaching the beautiful game. Docherty, 36, joined fellow Scots coaches and youth footballers on the latest Scottish Football For Rwanda mission to pass on skills to youngsters. Now she's spoken of her dream to return - and establish an Ayr United Academy which can inspire players of the future. Clare, the head of United's women's and girls' setup, hung up her own playing boots at the end of last season before making the trip of a lifetime. She told the Ayrshire Post:"It was an incredible experience. I didn't really know what to expect as it's such different way of life out there. "When it comes to basic resources like school uniforms or shoes for children, it's a real challenge. They are so grateful for the things we take for granted in Scotland. "We went into really rural areas to hand out kit and coach the kids. Their excitement and reaction was so humbling. "The children were showing me how they make footballs with banana leaves and use those for their games. It just makes you appreciate what we have here." Clare joined her fellow coaches on the Scots project which visits Rwanda twice a year, and hails its aim to "support development of grassroots youth football in one of the world's most deserving nations." Their next trip is in October, and Clare is raring to go back and spread the word of Ayr United even more. She explained: "A group of 16 and 17-year-old kids from Scotland came with us on the recent trip for the very first time. "They've said they'll always look to do that in future because of the success this year. "I'm looking to go back on the next trip and would love to take some kids from the Ayr United Academy to help establish our own presence in Rwanda." Clare added: "It was hard in a sense to see the way some of the kids out there were living, but the happiness they got from us being there was very uplifting. "I struggled when I came back because Scottish people are always in a rush, stressed or they're angry. "Out there, they literally have nothing and are so appreciative of everything they get. It's an eye-opener. "We would spend hours with the kids just having fun, delivering the coaching sessions and giving them a chance to play football. That's what it's all about."
STV News
8 hours ago
- Sport
- STV News
Robinson expecting tough task against Ayr United in 'must-win' game
St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson is expecting a tough game against a 'dangerous' Ayr United side, but insists that it is one that they will have to win. The Saints host the Honest Men in the final League Cup group stage game on Sunday, with the Championship side currently leading their section by two points. A draw could potentially be enough to see Robinson's men reach the last 16 as one of the three best runners-up, however the manager feels that is unlikely at this stage. One of the other teams currently in second already have nine points, with two others equal with St Mirren on seven and the other four all on six with a game to spare. So Robinson says it is a 'must-win'. Speaking to the media on Thursday, he said: 'We are getting down to the serious business now, and we have a chance to get into the last-16, so we know what we need to do, we need to win, and we are coming up against a good side with dangerous players. 'Overall it's something like 14 games now, including pre-season, that we haven't lost. So we are in good form. 'We are adding to the squad, we would have liked to have added sooner we could work a little bit more on things but we are getting there and starting to look like a first-team squad now.' St Mirren emphatically defeated Annan Athletic last weekend with an 8-2 victory in Paisley, and Robinson believes they looked back to themselves after drawing with Arbroath and narrowly defeating Forfar in the earlier games. He said: 'I felt that for large parts of the game we were back to ourselves. I've said numerous times that the competition is very false early on when you are still trying to get fitness and get a squad together. 'You should still win, of course, on paper you should win but football doesn't work like that. Teams have good coaches and are very well organised. 'I thought Saturday was more like us, the tempo we started with. Sunday will be a bigger test for us that will set us up nicely going into the season, and one we have to win.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Robinson on squad shape, Ayr & potential early release of Dijksteel
Stephen Robinson has been speaking to the media before St Mirren's final Premier Sports Cup group game against Ayr United on are the key things he said:The manager says his squad is "getting there", adding he "would have liked to add to it sooner, but we're starting to look like a first-team squad now".Robinson believes he's seen some progression in his squad during the League Cup group stages and certainly in their last game against Annan, where "we looked back to ourselves".He expects "a tough test" as they reach "serious business" stage against Ayr United as both vie for progression into the second agreed a pre-contract with "bright spark" Malik Dijksteel, Robinson "doesn't know" if St Mirren will be able to call on him earlier, amid reports they are negotiating an early release.
The National
5 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Watch: Celtic loanee scores debut screamer for Scott Brown's Ayr
The Somerset Park side took on Arbroath in the group stages of the Premier Sports Cup. Bonnar, who made his senior Celtic bow last season in a 5-1 victory over Aberdeen, signed for Ayr on the day of the game on loan. Read more: He was immediately included in the matchday squad and came on as a substitute in the 66th minute. It didn't take the 19-year-old long to make an impact from there. Indeed, eight minutes after being introduced, Bonnar picked up the ball on the edge of the box, skipped past his man and found the top-right corner with a sublime strike. It was his side's third in a dominant 4-0 win. Hey Jude ! ⚽️💪🏻 📺 Catch our latest vlog as Ayr United defeat Arbroath & debuts in black and white for Kevin Holt & Jude Bonnar. 'Class performance as Ayr United return home' is available to watch now 👇🏻 — Super Ayr United (@SuperAyrFC) July 19, 2025 Speaking after the game, Bonnar said [AyrUnitedFC on X]: "Right from when I came in, all the boys and the staff have welcomed me very well. "When I heard I had the opportunity to come here, I agreed straight away. "It's good to be here, getting professional games under my belt. "My goal, I just dropped to the edge of the box, seen I had a lot of space, got the ball off Marco [Rus], worked my way through and just got my shot off."
Glasgow Times
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Partick Thistle say trial to sell alcohol at Firhill 'went well'
The Maryhill side faced Stranraer in a League Cup game on Tuesday night, coming out on top with a 2-0 win in the group stages. The Jags were one of several clubs taking part in an initiative to sell alcoholic drinks outside hospitality areas in football stadiums for the first time in more than four decades, STV reports. A blanket ban was brought into force in 1981 following crowd trouble after a Scottish Cup final. It has been in place ever since. Now, seven Scottish clubs have been granted permission to sell beer, lager, and wine to those with general match tickets. READ NEXT: Glasgow football club fans to be allowed alcohol at games The initiative aims to show that relaxing the long-standing ban can 'enhance the fan experience'. Thistle say there were 'no issues' with behaviour and they are looking forward to next week's match against Queen of the South. A Partick Thistle spokesperson commented: 'It was great for the club to be involved in the trial. "Operationally, everything went well, and the fans who attended all enjoyed themselves. 'There were no issues with behaviour, and we believe that it added to the experience of what was a good night when you consider the result as well. 'We look forward to the second part of the trial when Queen of the South visit The Wyre Stadium at Firhill next Tuesday.' The news comes as Ayr United announced they have withdrawn their application to take part in the initiative. READ NEXT: Hit musical about Celtic FC is coming back to Glasgow The Championship club had been due to provide alcohol to a small number of match-going supporters at their upcoming games against Arbroath and Forfar. However, they have since stated they will no longer be participating in the initiative. A statement posted to Ayr United's X [formerly known as Twitter] page reads: 'We can advise supporters that it has withdrawn applications for temporary alcohol licenses for the matches against Arbroath and Forfar following further discussions with local stakeholders. 'The club would like to thank the South Ayrshire licensing board, LSO and Building Standards for their support throughout the process and can confirm it will seek to apply for future licences as part of the ongoing pilot process. 'Supporters who have bought tickets for the events will be contacted directly regarding next steps.'
