Ayr United chairman Lachlan Cameron says he’ll pull the plug on Kilmarnock game

Jul 8 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

FURIOUS Ayr United chairman Lachlan Cameron says he’ll pull the plug on next week’s derby against Kilmarnock.

And he has accused the Rugby Park club of reneging on a deal to play for the Ayrshire Cup.

The teams were due to meet at Killie on Wednesday in a pre-season warm-up.

But Cameron was blazing that Killie announced the game will be for an Ayrshire Challenge, sponsored by RestoraRoof.

And on Wednesday morning, he fired off an email announcing that the game was off.

Cameron insisted: “We have an agreement with Kilmarnock to play for the Ayrshire Cup. We will NOT be playing them for a challenge trophy.”

Cameron, speaking from California, told the Post: “When we agreed to play in the Garry Hay testimonial last year it was on condition that the Ayrshire Cup would be brought back.

“The competition has been registered with the SFA for 2011-12 subject to ourselves, Kilmarnock and Girvan agreeing. Two us have agreed but Kilmarnock are the stumbling block and I don't know why.”

Killie chairman Michael Johnston denied there had ever been an agreement to bring back the old established trophy which hasn’t been contested since season 1997-98 when Kilmarnock won 4-2 at Rugby Park.

As holders, Kilmarnock have kept the cup ever since.

Johnston claimed: “The match was agreed with Ayr’s vice chairman AlexIngram so I suggest Lachlan speaks to him.

“Kilmarnock FC has not agreed at any time to play any match against Ayr United for the Ayrshire Cup.

“Discussions have taken place over the last nine months over arrangements to reinstate the cup.

“My suggestion is that it should also include the top junior clubs in Ayrshire rather than just ourselves, Ayr and Girvan.

“There has never been an agreement to play for the Ayrshire Cup this summer.”

The Ayrshire Cup is currently stored at Rugby Park although it is occasionally on view at the Hampden museum.

Johnston added: “There is a strong feeling in Kilmarnock that as the trophy was bought by the people of the town by subscription it is part of the town’s history.”

Meanwhile, boss Brian Reid has called for politics to be put aside and the old competition restored.

He said: “I am very disappointed that the Ayrshire Cup is not going ahead because I feel that is costing us money every season. A good gate would help me and could be enough to bring in one or two players.

“There are a lot of politics but it needs to be sorted out as soon as possible. The Ayrshire Cup gives fans the chance to win an impressive trophy.”

Caught in the middle of the row is former junior player Hugh Clarke, who is managing director of RestoraRoof.

He said: “I grew up a stone's throw from Somerset Park and played a trial for Killie against Ayr when Eddie Morrison was the manager.

“It's a great old fixture and I want to see it brought back.”