Ayr United have fantastic youth programme

Dec 19 2008

AYR United have one of the most exciting youth programmes in the country.

That’s the view of their new Academy commercial manager who reckons the club’s potential is massive.

Ken Paul is the first man to land the newly created position and wants to inspire Ayr’s youngsters to stardom.

He said: “I would like to thank the directors of the Academy for this opportunity to help develop one of the most exciting youth programmes in the country.

“The potential is massive and I look forward to working with the directors, coaching staff and local businesses to help our local young people in Ayrshire the opportunity to reach their own goals.” Ken arrives at Somerset Park after a successful 25 year career in the commercial side of boys’ club football.

And Academy director John Dalton reckons they’ve landed a real gem.

He insisted: “Ken has the experience and knowledge that we require from someone to take on this vital role for the Academy.

“As a self-financing organisation, we need to raise all our own funding and value greatly the support we have had from the local business community to date.

“However, last year to run our youth development programme and our community programme cost us in the region of £175,000.

“This year that figure will rise as we hope to move into other areas of community and football development and hopefully Ken’s appointment will allow us to raise the finances to take us onto the next level of our youth development programme and become members of the SFA performance leagues.”