Ayr United fan Gerry Ferrara writes book on his beloved Honest Men

Nov 2 2012 by Mike Wilson, Ayrshire Post

Fanatical Gerry Ferrara lay on the turf the day Ayr beat Rangers before a record Somerset Park crowd.

And he was at Hampden when United took Celtic to the wire in two titanic League Cup semi-finals.

Great times. Great memories which the black and white diehard will never forget.

Now Gerry has gone into print with his first ever book ‘One Honest Man, Four Different Perspectives’ which is published this month.

Gerry, 57, was only 12 when he and elder brother Tony watched Ayr against Motherwell in 1967.

Young Gerry was hooked and a lifetime’s devotion had begun.

He recalls being forced over the terracing wall in 1969 when Ayr dumped Rangers 2-1 before a 25,225 crowd, a record that will never be eclipsed.

Gerry remembers: “These were the days of massive crowds. There were so many people squeezed on to the terracing that a lot of young boys were forced over the wall.

“I ended up watching the game by sitting on the corner of the six yard box right on the goal line. The police actually ordered us to sit alongside the goalie such was the crush. It’s changed days at Somerset Park now.”

Despite that famous win, Gerry says his memories were topped by the two ding dong battles with Celtic.

Jock Stein’s men had won the European Cup only two years earlier but Ally MacLeod’s part-time bravehearts gave them the fright of their lives.

Gerry said: “These were magical games which have stayed with me to this day.”

Gerry took 18 months to write the book. The story captures the full range of a young boy and his football obsession, his dream to become a top player and the roller-coaster of emotions he experiences through his life as a player, supporter, coach and referee.

He says: “Being a long time Ayr fan means there have been highs and a lot of downsides - you have to take the bad with the bad.

“I remember wandering away after the 2002 CIS Cup final with a tear in my eye. It was great experience despite the fact we were beaten.”

Gerry, who lives in Ayr, is a learning development adviser at Ayr College.

Not surprisingly, his family are steeped in the United faith.

Wife Marilyn goes to games, daughter Madeleine was a player of the year with United girls while one of his sons, Ben, divides his time between supporting Ayr and Liverpool. Only Nicholas has no football connection.

Gerry will sign copies of his book, by DB Publishing, in the Ayr United shop on Saturday at 2pm. He will be in Waterstones on November 17.