The Honest Men Trust - Ayr United Community Initiative

The AGM of The Honest Men Trust will take place in the Lochside Community Centre on the Evening of 11th May 2009, at 19.00 hrs. A review of the year will be presented and we ask for input from our members on how we should best continue to offer assistance to Ayr United in the forthcoming Centenary Year. We also require assistance to ensure what the Honest Men Trust have contributed to Ayr United ( £60K in cash services and benefits )and the Local Community ( various football assitance )in the last 6 years continues through into the future.

Family Stand Initiative

The Honest Men Trust have teamed up with Ayr United and the Ayr United Football Community Development Officer, Davie White, to encourage more kids and families along to Somerset Park this season. The Trust will help promote the Panda Pals for younger Ayr United supporters this season , as well as help organise getting local boys and girls football teams, and local community groups, along to Somerset Park to get behind the Honest Men this season.

The Panda Pals season ticket costs only £15 and gives children, under the age of 12, entrance to all home league matches this season as well as free football coaching sessions and a Meet the Players event during the season. The ticket can be purchased at Somerset Park or online via the Ayr United website. Trust Chairman Callum Yorke commented " We approached Ayr United back in April to see if we could help them encourage more kids along to Somerset Park to support their local team. Ayr United and Davie White have been very supportive and we are working together, using our contacts, to help get more support behind the team this season. Bearing in mind that it is £6 for a child to attend one match at Somerset Park this season the Panda Pals season ticket must be one of the best deals in Scottish football, working out at less than a £1 per match."

Local football club Caledonian Boys Club will attend this Saturdays match against Queens Park as part of the local football teams initiative. If you would like to get local football club along to Somerset Park to support Ayr United this season please contact Callum on 01292 560098 for further details.

Ryan Gets Your Vote

Ryan Stevenson was the fans’ overwhelming choice as the Honest Men Trust Ayr United player of the year. His consistently outstanding displays were recognised when he received the Ally MacLeod Memorial Trophy from Callum Yorke, the chairman of the Honest Men Trust.

With his immediate future settled, he and all the supporters were looking forward to much better results at what looks like the Club’s last season at Somerset Park – a top four place surely being the minimum target.

Gers Despair - United Delighted !!

Ayr United Amateurs Cup Winners 2008

The Honest Men Trust wish to congratulate Ayr United Amateurs on their fine SSFL Cup final win last Sunday at New Petershill. United defeated hot favourites Rangers by 2 goals to 1, with Chris Todd scoring both goals. Well done to all the players and management involved in delivering such a great result. Well done guys !!

Player Of The Year Being Rescheduled

Is Alex the man ?

The Honest Men Trust have had to reschedule their Player of The Year night due to unforeseen circumstances. The event will go ahead during the month of June, with a date being announced shortly. You can still vote for your Trust Player of the Year by emailing your vote to Tam at tam_o_shanter2002@yahoo.co.uk

Trust Looks Forward To United Future

New Trust Chairman Callum Yorke and outgoing Trust Chairman Fraser McCallum

The Honest Men Trust welcome the recent changes at Board level with Lachlan Cameron taking over from his father Donald as Chairman. We are delighted that we now have decision makers closer to home and with Alex Ingram, an Ayr United legend, taking on the Vice Chairman role we believe that the future looks bright. The United Board have come in from some criticism in recent years but there is no doubt that they have worked really hard behind the scenes to gain planning permission for a new stadium, which importantly will provide fresh income streams that will be crucial for our Club to catch up and move ahead of our current footballing rivals. It was also pleasing that Lachlan has made a statement of intent that the Club plan to improve and build partnerships with their support which will be key to unite everyone in moving in the right direction to get Ayr United out of this Second Division as soon as possible, and into a position more associated with our history and deserving of a loyal support. The Honest Men Trust plan to continue to work alongside Ayr United and support them in achieving their objectives. The Trust have already helped Ayr United Football Club, since our inception in August 2003, by for example providing the Club with funds to buy players and to support their youth setup, as well as organising various anti racism events on their behalf and are committed to improving our existing relationship with Ayr United. Trust Chairman Callum Yorke said " The Honest Men Trust would like to wish outgoing Chairman Donald Cameron all the best for the future and thank him for steadying the ship when the Club went through difficult financial times. We feel that his recent decision to pass control to those closer to home is the right decision to take Ayr United Football Club to the next level. I know that the new Board have some exciting and unique ideas to take us forward from here, and we are currently in the process of arranging a meeting to see how we can support them. For too long supporters have been disappointed and frustrated at the lack of progress both on and off the field and we have seen clubs, the likes of Stirling and Peterhead, perform at a higher level than ourselves in recent years. I feel that the majority of supporters have been very patient and understood that we have no divine right to get out of this Second Division. The only way to progress is by good leadership at Board and management level, full backing of the support and importantly money to help improve the squad. Due to a lack of finances over the last few years the Club has been unable to move to the next level but the announcement of the new stadium will allow the Club to increase their income streams from various sources and I believe see us start to climb up the Leagues. A new stadium with modern facilities should also provide the Club with an opportunity to bringing supporters and families back to support their local team. Football is cyclical and I believe that with Ayr United's prudent approach, however painful it has been in the last few years, we will be ready to take off once we move to our new home. "

The Honest Men Trust are currently planning a number of exciting projects which will benefit Ayr United and the local community. We would like to thank our existing members who have helped us support Ayr United and build links with the local community in the last few years. We would appeal for new or lapsed members to join up with us, and as well as helping support your Club and local community, you will have access to a discount on travel to Ayr United away matches as well as receiving a regular newsletter updating you on the planned activities, successes and current projects of the Honest Men Trust.