Voice of Reason, 9th May

May 7 2010 Ayrshire Post (main ed)

RELEGATION.

Nice to see you again old boy.

Last day Cappielow heroics proved in vain – and the trap door is all ours.

In truth, we were down before Saturday and the inquest must focus on the last two months of the season.

This was hardly a brilliant league.

We only turned up for eight games this season. And yet we were hardly a million miles off seventh place.

Says it all really.

Saturday proved we were more than good enough to compete in the First Division.

Should have been 4-0 up, ran out of gas when we couldn’t turn to the bench, and duly folded in the last 15.

Now comes the crossroads. It’s well documented that the club is being run on a mantra of safety and sustainability.

Don’t know about you, but I just want a football club to support.

If that means being in the Second Division, so be it.

Chasing the dream is when fingers get burnt. Plenty of examples around, kids.

And for all the criticism aimed Lachlan Cameron’s way, he at least has his principles right.

He’s made no secret of the fact he wants out. And he’s not willing to risk our future by flinging money at the project for no return.

The big man has done that for five years and I say fair play to him.

Would you feed a puggy for that length of time with no hint of a payout?

Now we need a fresh investor.

Someone who sees Ayr United as a long term project and is willing to inject the moolah to make it happen.

The club has undoubted potential. It’s just been left to rot.

And sorry, but I don’t buy this argument that a new stadium solves everything.

Will it suddenly magic an extra 2000 fans through the turnstiles? Of course not.

But a vibrant, winning team with a go-ahead regime at the helm would.

Our current leaders have been on the way out for some time now. And their honesty in that respect is commendable.

Next year can be a fresh start. The baton can be passed.

And this town is ready to back its team.

Now everyone needs to work together or we’re heading in only one direction.

nSO snooker is rocking under allegations John Higgins is a match fixer.

I could be wrong, but there seems more to this than meets the eye.

Why would a guy who earns millions every year risk his career for a poxy 300,000 euros?

Was he playing along because of the dodgy characters in that hotel with him? Perhaps.

What’s undeniable is that he’s guilty of gross misjudgment.

He’ll need a quality break to get out of it, that’s for sure.

nINCREDIBLE scenes in betting land. Iain Ferguson and the VoR are level.

At one point this season, my lead was five points and bookies were paying out.

But I’ll not lie, this comeback has been a shock to my system.

Now we’re two weeks from the finish and the unthinkable turnaround is on.

This week, Fergie goes Stockport 0, Tranmere 2. I say Airdrie 3, Brechin 1.