Honestly

No doubt you are aware that Robert Burns was born in Ayr. And that he wore his pencil to the nub, composing verses on his footy club. Now Ayr United are The Honest Men, thanks to the action of Burns' pen. They're off to Cappielow today, where best laid plans gang aft agley.

Ayr visit Greenock this afternoon to meet the mighty Ton, who are unbeaten in four league games and occupy second place in the table. Morton have not faced Ayr since the final weekend of the 2009-2010 season, when Morton's 2 - 1 win ensured Ayr's relegation. The Honest Men spent 2010-11 in the Second Division, finished second, and gained promotion via a playoff. So far this season they have a win, a loss, and two ties. They were knocked out of the Ramsdens Cup last weekend, losing to Annan Athletic. But they are still alive in the League Cup, and face Hearts in a week and a half.

Ayr United were formed in 1910 out of two SFL clubs, Ayr FC and Ayr Parkhouse FC. They wear white and black. They have never won the Scottish Cup, League Cup or Challenge Cup, but they have played in the top division 34 times. In the grand scheme of things the Greenockians are more illustrious.

Division leaders Hamilton Academical visit last-place Queen of the South today, so if Morton are to keep pace they need to beat Ayr.

Roster Notes: Ayr United goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert played for Morton last season. And Ayr's manager Brian Reid played for the Ton in the Eighties and Nineties.

Although Ayr is the birthplace of Robert Burns, Greenock is home to the first Burns Club, and site of the first Burns Supper to be held on January 25th. Dumfries, Kilmarnock and Edinburgh also have their fingers in the Burns pie.

[And Morton win 4 - 1! Goals by MacDonald (2), Jackson and Weatherson. And Hamilton lose! Morton sit in first place, three points clear!]

Comments

[Alan]

Faither and I saw Ayr play in 1980 at Hibs when Geroge Best was supposed to play but was too hungover to get to the game: http://news.scotsman.com/georgebest/Bests-time-at-Hibs-a.2681526.jp

We left early in the second half, it not being much of a match, for which insult a supporter high up in the stands aimed an empty 26 ounce bottle at your Da's heed, missing by inches.