Ayr United Football Academy showed their true worth to the senior Ayr United team again today when two of the playing ranks stepped up to the plate and were signed on professional footballing contracts.

18 year olds Dale Moore and Iain Fisher became the first signings of the summer for Ayr United after the pair put pen to paper in the Somerset Park boardroom on Friday afternoon.

Under the watchful eyes of both players fathers, Ayr United Head of Youth Davie White welcomed Iain and Dale to the full senior setup.

"Both players have served their apprenticeship"said Davie White. Continuing on he added,"The boys have had a long hard season, playing with the Academy 19's, Ayr United Reserves and also at their respective loan clubs. This was a test for them this season and both have handled the pressure of it well and have now been rewarded accordingly."

On speaking to the players themselves, they were enthralled and humbled by the fact of signing for the club they support.

Both Dale and Iain seemed glad that it was actually all over with as they realised that several players had been let go from the squad last week and started to  worry that the offers would be rescinded.

As both players have started their professional playing careers during the summer break, they have a few weeks to allow the news to settle before getting back to pre season training.

Dale said that he may 'put his feet up for a few days before heading down the gym and start running, keeping up his fitness to prepare himself for the pre season.'

Iain's plans to celebrate involved his father stating, "Hopefully Dad will take us out for a meal tonight and get ourselves a couple of drinks but I won't go over the top but only if Dad is paying."

Both players seem to have their heads screwed on well with the sense that will be required to allow them to progress. Both players were quick to point out that it would be more difficult to get some playing time this season due to the promotion gained by Ayr United last week but it was one that they welcomed as it would make them better players.

We shall be watching closely as they progress through the season.