shankers

Youngest Ever Player For Ayr United

Saturday saw a historic day for Ayr United, Ayr United Football Academy and one young man in particular.

AUFA under 16 striker Mark Shankland, who has seen the interest from certain 'giant' UK teams recently, became the youngest signed Ayr United player to ever take to the field for the senior squad.

With a birthdate of 11/7/95, the appearance made the player 15 years and 300 days old, a day never to be forgotten by the player or his watching family.

The closest rival he has to this title was Stewart Kean who made his debut when 17 years and 56 days old.

There has been some speculation that back in March 1953, Sam McMillan made his debut whilst younger (15 years 212 days old) than Mark but on closer inspection, McMillan played a one off game as a trialist under the guise of a pseudonym, Newman, but didn't actually sign for the club until two years later, so as the record books stand, Mark Shankland holds the title as youngest ever signed player to play for Ayr United.

As well as young 'Shankers', the young stars from the Football Academy have also been forcing their way into the team more often of late with Roddy Paterson having made the field in the previous two matches and on Saturday Gareth Edwards also made his debut rounding off a great season for the AUFA in terms of first team appearances.

Robbie Crawford, Sean Kelly, Cammy Marlow, Daryl Jones, Dale Moore have all also been chapping at the door looking for some playing time in the first team making the future look bright for the team and showing the potential that the Football Academy is producing.

Saturday though belonged to Mark Shankland, he looks to have a great future ahead of him. Well done young man, well done.