UNITED SHUFFLE

Mar 12 2008 Ayrshire Post

AYR UNITED have a new man at the helm after club owner Donald Cameron stood down as chairman on Monday.

Donald’s son Lachlan, who has been managing director for almost three years, takes over the post.

Director and former striker Alex Ingram becomes vice-chairman while chartered accountant David Quayle returns for a third stint as company secretary.

New chairman Lachlan, 37, said the club’s short term goal was to win promotion to the First Division and move into their new stadium.

But he added: “The longer term aim is to have a team competing for a Premier League place.

“We also need to develop other incomes as at present our season ticket and gate money covers only 75 per cent of our playing budget.

“We also need to improve our PR and our relationship with the fans. As an example, people don’t realise that we have given away 1000 tickets to schools this season.”

Donald, 68, who joined the Board in 1989, later became chairman and majority shareholder after Bill Barr stood down in 2004.

He is based in California where he is president of his own investment advisors company.

Donald said he felt the time was right to go now that planning approval had been gained for the new stadium.

He said: “The club now needs people on the ground to make decisions rather than someone on the other side of the Atlantic.

“Now I feel it is time to stand aside as we have a good team in place to take the club forward. I will remain a keen fan but now I am taking a back seat.”