Ayr United player fund reaches £25,000

Jan 25 2013 by Mike Wilson, Ayrshire Post

The diehard fan leading a cash drive for new players has told Ayr: I’m not finished yet.

An appeal launched by wacky songster Somerset Boab has hit £17,000.

And with £7500 last week from businessman Jim Kirkwood, it means boss Mark Roberts has almost £25,000 to splash.

He has already signed experienced striker Liam Buchanan and is now chasing a defender and right sided midfielder.

Roberts, who took in an SPL bounce game on Tuesday, said: “This money gives me a great chance to get the experienced players I want.

“I’m within touching distance of a defender who is my number one target.

“I’m scouring everywhere for a right sided wide man and have spoken to agents and contacts in England.

“But I won’t sign players for the sake of it and am already targeting people for next season.”

Roberts has been bowled over by the generosity of fans.

He said: “On Saturday morning, I was sitting with £1500 - now I have almost £25,000 which is incredible.

“It shows the depth of feeling there is for Ayr United and is very much appreciated.

“ I pestered Liam Buchanan for eight weeks before getting him and he’s the selfish penalty box finisher we need.

“He gets the ball, turns and hits it all the time. He won’t give defenders a minute’s peace.

“I had a great partnership with Liam at Partick Thistle so know what he is all about.”

Buchanan, 27, played five games for Airdrie after leaving Sligo Rovers. He also had previous stints at Cowdenbeath and Dunfermline.

Roberts now has the cash but admits his biggest challenge will be persuading class players to drop down to the Second Division.

He revealed: “The money isn’t a problem and is certainly enough for three players. I want people who will make a real difference to the team.”

Cash started spiralling after club sponsors Bodog matched Boab’s original £1500 from CD sales.

Chairman Lachlan Cameron pitched in with £10,000 and other donations have flown in from all over the world.

Boab, a keen salmon fisherman, has even cast his net to the angling world.

And pal, Davie McPhail, an internationally renowned fly tier, has designed a brand new salmon fly called Ayrshire Boabie in Ayr’s colours.

Davie, from Dalmilling will produce 100 at £3 each and donate the proceeds to the fund.

Boab said: “ I’ve proved the doubters wrong and the fans love it.

“It’s snowballing all the time and my next goal is to reach £20,000.

“Marko is over the moon and says he’s going to go for Bale and Messi.”

Roberts now has the happy problem

of having cash to burn but must use it

wisely to get what he wants.

One player in his sights is former St Mirren and Hamilton winger Mark Corcoran who has been freed by Ross County.

Roberts admitted: “Mark is definitely on my radar and interests me. He’s a flier but is more left sided.”

Meanwhile, Roberts admitted he would have been happy to play when Somerset Park failed an 11am inspection for the visit of Stenhousemuir last Saturday.

He said: “I would have been comfortable. The referee was dying to play it and looked at the pitch for half an hour.

“It would have been his first game at Somerset but he felt if someone was tackled and fell they could have hurt their head.”

On Saturday, Ayr are due to visit East Fife but prospects looked bleak in midweek with snow still a major problem.