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Marc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated. Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Not Just Scottish Football: Womens World Cup Germany 2011 Highlights 29 June 2011
Not Just Scottish Football: Womens World Cup Germany 2011 Highlights 29 June 2011
TweetMarc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated. 
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Marc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated. 
Not Just Scottish Football: Mexico Under 17 World Cup Highlights 29 June 2011
Not Just Scottish Football: Mexico Under 17 World Cup Highlights 29 June 2011
TweetMarc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated.
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Marc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated. Not Just Scottish Football: Korean Striker Emerges from 7 Week Coma
Not Just Scottish Football: Korean Striker Emerges from 7 Week Coma
TweetMarc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated.
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Marc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated. Not Just Scottish Football: Eddie Hawkins, The 1st USMNT African American Player Opens His Heart On Soccer
Not Just Scottish Football: Eddie Hawkins, The 1st USMNT African American Player Opens His Heart On Soccer
TweetMarc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated.
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Marc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated. Not Just Scottish Football: FIFA Ranking Move Mexico into Top 10, Argentina Down 5 Spots
Not Just Scottish Football: FIFA Ranking Move Mexico into Top 10, Argentina Down 5 Spots
TweetMarc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated.
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Marc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated. Sunday, June 26, 2011
Not Just Scottish Football: Scottish Footballers in the USA
Not Just Scottish Football: Scottish Footballers in the USA
TweetMarc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated.
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Marc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated. Friday, June 24, 2011
Not Just Scottish Football: Bulgarian FA Plan TV Blackout to Encourage Fan Participation at Stadia
Not Just Scottish Football: Bulgarian FA Plan TV Blackout to Encourage Fan Participation at Stadia
TweetMarc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated.
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Marc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated. Not Just Scottish Football: SPL Side Hearts Blame Mafia For Player Indiscretions
Not Just Scottish Football: SPL Side Hearts Blame Mafia For Player Indiscretions
TweetMarc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated.
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Marc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated. Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Hi Chris,
As you will know, the new football season is almost upon us and we at the Ayr United Football Academy would like to take this opportunity to offer you a chance at a partnership with our club.
To give you a brief version of who and what we are; Ayr United Football Academy was set up as registered charity in Scotland in 2005 in response to the continued shortfall in funds with the game of football in Scotland. Five trailblazing supporters decided that if Ayr United was ever to have a youth setup, it would need to be run completely independently of the Scottish Football League side Ayr United.
In this decision was founded the AUFA - a unique football academy in Scotland wherein the senior club affiliated to it only has one member on the Academy board and has no control of the finances.
We now have over 80 volunteers and over 200'000 kids a year from 3 years old participating in soccer camps and coaching courses but the reason I am contacting you today is about our five youth development teams - from under 14's to under 19's.
Like any club throughout the world, we like to have a partner for our strips and travel suits and would like to offer you the opportunity for your company to have their logo and details upon these items.
The offers we have are for the following :
Home strips chest sponsor
Away strips chest sponsor
Home strips back sponsor
Away strips back sponsor
Home and away shorts sponsor
Travel suit sponsor
Individual player sponsor
We are also on the look out for a major company to assist us as a Principal Youth Development Partner and would see yourself and your company as being a major player in the development of youth football.
Our five youth development teams were very successful in the season 2010-11 with the highest point coming when the under 17 side were crowned champions in the Scottish Football League, completing the season unbeaten in league football.
Other high points of the season have been the 10 Academy players who were envisioned to be the future of the senior Ayr United team and were signed on professional playing contracts by the club manager Brian Reid. All of these players have received playing time in the senior squad throughout the season despite the youngest player still only being 15 years old.
The club is a registered Scottish football league member and plays in the Scottish Football League against the other members of the league setup including Glasgow Rangers, Glasgow Celtic, Queens Park and many others throughout the country.
Not only are the players coached by ex professionals like Stevie McMillan (ex Motherwell & Wigan) and Neil Duffy (ex Dundee United & Ayr), they receive sports science education, physio, nutritional advice and when they reach the age of 16, are given the option of entering a sports coaching and fitness college course up to HNC level if they don't take a higher education option at school. The training and playing facilities that the Academy have at their disposal are of the highest quality and there are also the team buses that are available for team transportation, all in all the setup is more akin to multi million pound coaching complexes in England and Europe. This style of setup has also helped ward off any potential suitors who have approached the star players within the squads as the young players see the setup and coaching as being second to none and more benficial to them as their careers move forward.
Through the continued growth of the club and awards won, the Academy has become more press aware, using it and social media to expand the reach and support for the need of a youth football development programme. Through these mediums we have been able to gather support and sponsorship from as far as Texas in the USA. The power of these social networks and websites have also allowed us to set up individual team links, one with Galveston Pirates also in Texas and one with Alloway FC in Australia.
Our written work, which also helps expand the awareness of the Academy, has reached as far as California and Brazil making the club known in all four corners of the globe.
However, none of this would be available to the players without outside funding in the form of sponsorship and that takes me back to the reason for this contact.
If you wish, we could arrange a meeting or I can simply send you a proposal form for you to peruse at your leisure should you wish to take this matter further;Either way, I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss this in more depth to show what we can do for you in return as we want any type of sponsorship to be a partnership where both parties can progress together.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and I look forward to hearing from you should you wish to talk more about the options available to you.
Kind regards
Marc Roseblade
Ayr United Football Academy
Press Relations
Social Media Marketing
Commercial Sales
AUFA
07969 231642
As you will know, the new football season is almost upon us and we at the Ayr United Football Academy would like to take this opportunity to offer you a chance at a partnership with our club.
To give you a brief version of who and what we are; Ayr United Football Academy was set up as registered charity in Scotland in 2005 in response to the continued shortfall in funds with the game of football in Scotland. Five trailblazing supporters decided that if Ayr United was ever to have a youth setup, it would need to be run completely independently of the Scottish Football League side Ayr United.
In this decision was founded the AUFA - a unique football academy in Scotland wherein the senior club affiliated to it only has one member on the Academy board and has no control of the finances.
We now have over 80 volunteers and over 200'000 kids a year from 3 years old participating in soccer camps and coaching courses but the reason I am contacting you today is about our five youth development teams - from under 14's to under 19's.
Like any club throughout the world, we like to have a partner for our strips and travel suits and would like to offer you the opportunity for your company to have their logo and details upon these items.
The offers we have are for the following :
Home strips chest sponsor
Away strips chest sponsor
Home strips back sponsor
Away strips back sponsor
Home and away shorts sponsor
Travel suit sponsor
Individual player sponsor
We are also on the look out for a major company to assist us as a Principal Youth Development Partner and would see yourself and your company as being a major player in the development of youth football.
Our five youth development teams were very successful in the season 2010-11 with the highest point coming when the under 17 side were crowned champions in the Scottish Football League, completing the season unbeaten in league football.
Other high points of the season have been the 10 Academy players who were envisioned to be the future of the senior Ayr United team and were signed on professional playing contracts by the club manager Brian Reid. All of these players have received playing time in the senior squad throughout the season despite the youngest player still only being 15 years old.
The club is a registered Scottish football league member and plays in the Scottish Football League against the other members of the league setup including Glasgow Rangers, Glasgow Celtic, Queens Park and many others throughout the country.
Not only are the players coached by ex professionals like Stevie McMillan (ex Motherwell & Wigan) and Neil Duffy (ex Dundee United & Ayr), they receive sports science education, physio, nutritional advice and when they reach the age of 16, are given the option of entering a sports coaching and fitness college course up to HNC level if they don't take a higher education option at school. The training and playing facilities that the Academy have at their disposal are of the highest quality and there are also the team buses that are available for team transportation, all in all the setup is more akin to multi million pound coaching complexes in England and Europe. This style of setup has also helped ward off any potential suitors who have approached the star players within the squads as the young players see the setup and coaching as being second to none and more benficial to them as their careers move forward.
Through the continued growth of the club and awards won, the Academy has become more press aware, using it and social media to expand the reach and support for the need of a youth football development programme. Through these mediums we have been able to gather support and sponsorship from as far as Texas in the USA. The power of these social networks and websites have also allowed us to set up individual team links, one with Galveston Pirates also in Texas and one with Alloway FC in Australia.
Our written work, which also helps expand the awareness of the Academy, has reached as far as California and Brazil making the club known in all four corners of the globe.
However, none of this would be available to the players without outside funding in the form of sponsorship and that takes me back to the reason for this contact.
If you wish, we could arrange a meeting or I can simply send you a proposal form for you to peruse at your leisure should you wish to take this matter further;Either way, I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss this in more depth to show what we can do for you in return as we want any type of sponsorship to be a partnership where both parties can progress together.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and I look forward to hearing from you should you wish to talk more about the options available to you.
Kind regards
Marc Roseblade
Ayr United Football Academy
Press Relations
Social Media Marketing
Commercial Sales
AUFA
07969 231642
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Not Just Scottish Football: Wembley Win Champions League Final in 2013
Not Just Scottish Football: Wembley Win Champions League Final in 2013
TweetMarc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated.
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Marc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated.Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Ayr United have yet again out done themselves with their newly released home strip.
Since joining with Nike for last seasons release, the strips, like a good wine, have improved with time;This season's shirt follows on from that lead and is sure to impress even the most sceptical of you.
Harking back to the early days of football, the basic style is sure to be a hit with fans everywhere as far too often in the past, strips have been too fussy with way too much detail added to try and appease designers, sponsors, club directors and the fans all at the same time.
This seasons jersey is simple in style but big in finesse. It looks like a winners jersey and loses the fussiness of previous years efforts.
The bold statement of a half and half plain black on the right and plain white on the left is offset by the colours being reversed on the sleeves. The back is plain black with a panel of white interceding the bottom left hand side only. The neck is in a 'v' but not a low 'v', it's subtle, more like a round neck.
The logos and badges are of particular notice to Ayr United fans as they see the Ayr United badge on the left hand side of the chest being larger than on previous years, making it much more prominent on the shirt. The Nike swoosh is of course in its regular spot on the right side of the chest, this time in white to stand out from the black background.
The new team sponsor is of course Bodog, the largest gambling website in the world which until recently was owned by Canadian billionaire Calvin Ayre who was attracted to the club by the similarity in name and with descendants who came from the town of Ayr in Scotland, it made an easy option for the philanthropist to offer his sponsorship to the Scottish First Division club.
In keeping with Bodog's 'Responsible Gambling' ethos, they asked that kids jersey's were emblazoned with a local charities name. Malcolm Sargent, a children's hospice in the neighbouring town of Prestwick was chosen to be printed on the youth strips.
Shirt wise, this should be a hit with the Ayr United supporters and with the added interest in the club since promotion to the first division, if you are looking for a kit with panache and style, this is the one for you!
Since joining with Nike for last seasons release, the strips, like a good wine, have improved with time;This season's shirt follows on from that lead and is sure to impress even the most sceptical of you.
Harking back to the early days of football, the basic style is sure to be a hit with fans everywhere as far too often in the past, strips have been too fussy with way too much detail added to try and appease designers, sponsors, club directors and the fans all at the same time.
This seasons jersey is simple in style but big in finesse. It looks like a winners jersey and loses the fussiness of previous years efforts.
The bold statement of a half and half plain black on the right and plain white on the left is offset by the colours being reversed on the sleeves. The back is plain black with a panel of white interceding the bottom left hand side only. The neck is in a 'v' but not a low 'v', it's subtle, more like a round neck.
The logos and badges are of particular notice to Ayr United fans as they see the Ayr United badge on the left hand side of the chest being larger than on previous years, making it much more prominent on the shirt. The Nike swoosh is of course in its regular spot on the right side of the chest, this time in white to stand out from the black background.
The new team sponsor is of course Bodog, the largest gambling website in the world which until recently was owned by Canadian billionaire Calvin Ayre who was attracted to the club by the similarity in name and with descendants who came from the town of Ayr in Scotland, it made an easy option for the philanthropist to offer his sponsorship to the Scottish First Division club.
In keeping with Bodog's 'Responsible Gambling' ethos, they asked that kids jersey's were emblazoned with a local charities name. Malcolm Sargent, a children's hospice in the neighbouring town of Prestwick was chosen to be printed on the youth strips.
Shirt wise, this should be a hit with the Ayr United supporters and with the added interest in the club since promotion to the first division, if you are looking for a kit with panache and style, this is the one for you!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Ayr United have yet again out done themselves with their newly released home strip.
Since joining with Nike for last seasons release, the strips, like a good wine, have improved with time;This season's shirt follows on from that lead and is sure to impress even the most sceptical of you.
Harking back to the early days of football, the basic style is sure to be a hit with fans everywhere as far too often in the past, strips have been too fussy with way too much detail added to try and appease designers, sponsors, club directors and the fans all at the same time.
This seasons jersey is simple in style but big in finesse. It looks like a winners jersey and loses the fussiness of previous years efforts.
The bold statement of a half and half plain black on the right and plain white on the left is offset by the colours being reversed on the sleeves. The back is plain black with a panel of white interceding the bottom left hand side only. The neck is in a 'v' but not a low 'v', it's subtle, more like a round neck.
The logos and badges are of particular notice to Ayr United fans as they see the Ayr United badge on the left hand side of the chest being larger than on previous years, making it much more prominent on the shirt. The Nike swoosh is of course in its regular spot on the right side of the chest, this time in white to stand out from the black background.
The new team sponsor is of course Bodog, the largest gambling website in the world which until recently was owned by Canadian billionaire Calvin Ayre who was attracted to the club by the similarity in name and with descendants who came from the town of Ayr in Scotland, it made an easy option for the philanthropist to offer his sponsorship to the Scottish First Division club.
In keeping with Bodog's 'Responsible Gambling' ethos, they asked that kids jersey's were emblazoned with a local charities name. Malcolm Sargent, a children's hospice in the neighbouring town of Prestwick was chosen to be printed on the youth strips.
Shirt wise, this should be a hit with the Ayr United supporters and with the added interest in the club since promotion to the first division, if you are looking for a kit with panache and style, this is the one for you!
Tel: 01292 263435 Ext 5
Email: shop@ayrunitedfc.co.uk
Since joining with Nike for last seasons release, the strips, like a good wine, have improved with time;This season's shirt follows on from that lead and is sure to impress even the most sceptical of you.
Harking back to the early days of football, the basic style is sure to be a hit with fans everywhere as far too often in the past, strips have been too fussy with way too much detail added to try and appease designers, sponsors, club directors and the fans all at the same time.
This seasons jersey is simple in style but big in finesse. It looks like a winners jersey and loses the fussiness of previous years efforts.
The bold statement of a half and half plain black on the right and plain white on the left is offset by the colours being reversed on the sleeves. The back is plain black with a panel of white interceding the bottom left hand side only. The neck is in a 'v' but not a low 'v', it's subtle, more like a round neck.
The logos and badges are of particular notice to Ayr United fans as they see the Ayr United badge on the left hand side of the chest being larger than on previous years, making it much more prominent on the shirt. The Nike swoosh is of course in its regular spot on the right side of the chest, this time in white to stand out from the black background.
The new team sponsor is of course Bodog, the largest gambling website in the world which until recently was owned by Canadian billionaire Calvin Ayre who was attracted to the club by the similarity in name and with descendants who came from the town of Ayr in Scotland, it made an easy option for the philanthropist to offer his sponsorship to the Scottish First Division club.
In keeping with Bodog's 'Responsible Gambling' ethos, they asked that kids jersey's were emblazoned with a local charities name. Malcolm Sargent, a children's hospice in the neighbouring town of Prestwick was chosen to be printed on the youth strips.
Shirt wise, this should be a hit with the Ayr United supporters and with the added interest in the club since promotion to the first division, if you are looking for a kit with panache and style, this is the one for you!
Shirts will be available exclusively via the Ayr United club shop or through theironline store in the Ayr United website. Adults shirts £40, kids £32, all sizes available Friday morning 9am.
Contact Info:Tel: 01292 263435 Ext 5
Email: shop@ayrunitedfc.co.uk
Today saw the official launch of details for the upcoming tie between Ayr United and Manchester United XI on Monday 25th July 2011.
Ayr United called the press together to confirm the details that Premier League Champions and Champions League runners-up Manchester United will send an XI north to help Ayr United kick off the new season in style.
Manchester United XI will head to Somerset Park on Monday 25th July with a 7pm kick-off, in what we hope will be a fantastic family occasion, enjoyed by supporters of all ages.
Chairman Lachlan Cameron said this week "It's a tremendous honour to have Manchester United visit, we are all really excited and we hope it will set us up well for a good season ahead on our return to the First Division.
"Sir Alex Ferguson is a great friend of the Club and we are grateful to him for his support in arranging this fixture, which will allow our players the challenge of playing against the next Scholes, Beckham or Giggs"
Ex Academy player Ross Robertson was involved in today's proceedings and spoke of the upcoming match:"It's a great incentive for me and the other players to be at our best come July 25th, playing against a Manchester United side of any age will be a spectacular event and one that someone my age just wants to be part of. I have just finished my first full year in the senior squad and to top it all off with promotion was great;The Man United game is like the icing on the cake."
Entry to this match is by ticket only. A souvenir ticket is currently being designed and these will be on sale as soon as possible. Details regarding the sale of tickets will be confirmed at the start of the week.
Prices for the match will be £15 for Adults and Concessions are £8.
Mascot packages will also be available for the game at a price of £125, please book through the Club Shop.
For all general enquiries relating to this fixture please contact us on 01292 263435 option 1 or email us at: info@ayrunitedfc.co.uk.
Don't miss out on what is sure to be a great start to the season, with the historic first ever meeting of our two Clubs.
Photo: Duncan George, Sanny McAnespie, Alex Ingram, Somerset Boab, Michael Moffat, Ross Robertson, Colin Sturgeon, Adam Sturgeon (age 10), Nadine Sturgeon (age 8)
Ayr United called the press together to confirm the details that Premier League Champions and Champions League runners-up Manchester United will send an XI north to help Ayr United kick off the new season in style.
Manchester United XI will head to Somerset Park on Monday 25th July with a 7pm kick-off, in what we hope will be a fantastic family occasion, enjoyed by supporters of all ages.
Chairman Lachlan Cameron said this week "It's a tremendous honour to have Manchester United visit, we are all really excited and we hope it will set us up well for a good season ahead on our return to the First Division.
"Sir Alex Ferguson is a great friend of the Club and we are grateful to him for his support in arranging this fixture, which will allow our players the challenge of playing against the next Scholes, Beckham or Giggs"
Ex Academy player Ross Robertson was involved in today's proceedings and spoke of the upcoming match:"It's a great incentive for me and the other players to be at our best come July 25th, playing against a Manchester United side of any age will be a spectacular event and one that someone my age just wants to be part of. I have just finished my first full year in the senior squad and to top it all off with promotion was great;The Man United game is like the icing on the cake."
Entry to this match is by ticket only. A souvenir ticket is currently being designed and these will be on sale as soon as possible. Details regarding the sale of tickets will be confirmed at the start of the week.
Prices for the match will be £15 for Adults and Concessions are £8.
Mascot packages will also be available for the game at a price of £125, please book through the Club Shop.
For all general enquiries relating to this fixture please contact us on 01292 263435 option 1 or email us at: info@ayrunitedfc.co.uk.
Don't miss out on what is sure to be a great start to the season, with the historic first ever meeting of our two Clubs.
Photo: Duncan George, Sanny McAnespie, Alex Ingram, Somerset Boab, Michael Moffat, Ross Robertson, Colin Sturgeon, Adam Sturgeon (age 10), Nadine Sturgeon (age 8)
Friday, June 10, 2011
Obviously in anticipation of winning La Liga in season 2010-2011, the shirt designers at Adidas decided to go with a gold trim for this seasons new shirt, failing to take into consideration that despite Ronaldo’s goal scoring efforts throughout the season,they might not actually win the title.
That aside, the new shirt looks sleek; Replacing the blue Adidas stripes with gold gives the shirt a look of winners, one perhaps that will help them return to the top of the league in the coming season and earn them the gold medal to go along with the gold trim.
The shirt looks more like a fashion item with its polo shirt like button down collar and gold adidas logo on the right hand chest area;The obligatory climacool system to help aid ventilation and moisture is also a stick on with shirts these days as well.
This new jersey is in true Los Blancos style, almost aristocratic if you want, that uses style and finesse to portray true sporting royalty.
Fans of Jose Mourinho‘s team will be hoping for more than a dropped under the bus Copa del Rey trophy this season, but with the excellent new home and away kit revealed, they will at least look the part of winners.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Following on from other recent Academy signings, the club are happy to announce that Mark Shankland has ignored the advances of Liverpool, Rangers & Celtic to secure his future as a professional footballer with Ayr United.
After a season of superstar showings in several of the Academy age groups, the 15 year old's year ended with a couple of senior squad call ups culminating in a 20 minute spell in the league match against Brechin near the end of the SFL season.
The youngster who hails from Mauchline, has signed a 2 year playing contract with Ayr and will also attend the Sports coaching and fitness course that is run in partnership between AUFA and Kilmarnock college from next semester.
Ayr United Chairman Lachlan Cameron turned up to witness the signing and obviously sees this as the way forward for Ayr United saying:"Mark has a bright future ahead of him and to go away to Liverpool or the Old Firm at this stage of his career could have been too much for him to handle. You have to remember he is still only 15 years old and we felt he could progress much more by staying at Ayr;that's why we offered him the contract."
Mark himself openly admits to being a Liverpool supporter and after being down at the Melwood training facility for a weeks trial, it would have been no surprise if the player had opted for signing for his boyhood heroes. After playing a couple of trial matches for Liverpool and scoring twice in a match against Sheffield United, he proved to everyone that he has the ability to score no matter the stress involved or strength of opposition.
Mark said about signing:"I am over the moon at signing for Ayr; The coaches here are brilliant and the backroom staff have advised me about how I can progress here at Ayr whereas I might fall into the cracks at a team the size of Liverpool. They have also helped me gain entry to the Sports and Fitness college course so I can learn academically as well as grow as a professional football player."
There can be no doubt that the youngster has shown promise in the last year which was noticed by all who witnessed him play. This coming year will be the biggest test he has faced yet as he starts his professional playing career, one I am sure he will master with ease.
All he has to do is do what he does best by scoring goals and before long he will chapping the managers door asking for a spot in the big time!
After a season of superstar showings in several of the Academy age groups, the 15 year old's year ended with a couple of senior squad call ups culminating in a 20 minute spell in the league match against Brechin near the end of the SFL season.
The youngster who hails from Mauchline, has signed a 2 year playing contract with Ayr and will also attend the Sports coaching and fitness course that is run in partnership between AUFA and Kilmarnock college from next semester.
Ayr United Chairman Lachlan Cameron turned up to witness the signing and obviously sees this as the way forward for Ayr United saying:"Mark has a bright future ahead of him and to go away to Liverpool or the Old Firm at this stage of his career could have been too much for him to handle. You have to remember he is still only 15 years old and we felt he could progress much more by staying at Ayr;that's why we offered him the contract."
Mark himself openly admits to being a Liverpool supporter and after being down at the Melwood training facility for a weeks trial, it would have been no surprise if the player had opted for signing for his boyhood heroes. After playing a couple of trial matches for Liverpool and scoring twice in a match against Sheffield United, he proved to everyone that he has the ability to score no matter the stress involved or strength of opposition.
Mark said about signing:"I am over the moon at signing for Ayr; The coaches here are brilliant and the backroom staff have advised me about how I can progress here at Ayr whereas I might fall into the cracks at a team the size of Liverpool. They have also helped me gain entry to the Sports and Fitness college course so I can learn academically as well as grow as a professional football player."
There can be no doubt that the youngster has shown promise in the last year which was noticed by all who witnessed him play. This coming year will be the biggest test he has faced yet as he starts his professional playing career, one I am sure he will master with ease.
All he has to do is do what he does best by scoring goals and before long he will chapping the managers door asking for a spot in the big time!
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