ÿþ<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <html> <head> <title>Scottish Football Ground Guide - Somerset Park, Ayr United Football Club</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-16"> <meta content="A fans guide to Somerset Park. This includes directions to the ground, where to get a drink before the game, ground photos and lots of information that is useful to the visiting supporter." name="description"> <meta content="Ayr United FC, Ayr United Football Club, Somerset Park, the honest men, away fan, away fans, car parking, ticket prices, admission prices, programme price, grounds, stadiums, stadia, away supporters, travelling fan, www.scottishgroundguide.co.uk, football grounds, directions, railway station, Scottish League, Scotland, uk" name="keywords"> <style> <!-- a:hover{color:red;} td { font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana } //--> </style> </head> <body bgproperties="fixed" style="background-image: url(&quot;nets.jpg&quot;);"> <div align="center"> <center> <table style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="659"> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="3" align="left" width="516"> <center><!-- ValueClick Media 468x60 Banner CODE v1.0c for scottishgrounds.co.uk --><iframe marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://media.fastclick.net/w/get.media?sid=29100&amp;m=1&amp;tp=1&amp;d=f&amp;v=1.0c&amp;t=n&amp;pageid=1" frameborder="0" height="60" scrolling="no" width="468"> &amp;lt;a href="http://media.fastclick.net/w/click.here?sid=29100&amp;amp;m=1&amp;amp;pageid=1" target="_blank"&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img width="468" height="60" src="http://media.fastclick.net/w/get.media?sid=29100&amp;amp;m=1&amp;amp;tp=1&amp;amp;d=s&amp;amp;v=1.0c&amp;amp;pageid=1" border="0"&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;</iframe><!-- ValueClick Media 468x60 Banner CODE v1.0c for scottishgrounds.co.uk --></center> <br> </td> <td rowspan="3" align="left" width="192"> <p align="center">&nbsp;<!-- ValueClick Media 120x600 SkyScraper CODE v1.0c for scottishgrounds.co.uk --> <iframe marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://media.fastclick.net/w/get.media?sid=29100&amp;m=3&amp;tp=3&amp;d=f&amp;v=1.0c&amp;t=n&amp;pageid=1" frameborder="0" height="600" scrolling="no" width="120"> &amp;lt;a href="http://media.fastclick.net/w/click.here?sid=29100&amp;amp;m=3&amp;amp;pageid=1" target="_blank"&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img width="120" height="600" src="http://media.fastclick.net/w/get.media?sid=29100&amp;amp;m=3&amp;amp;tp=3&amp;amp;d=s&amp;amp;v=1.0c&amp;amp;pageid=1" border="0"&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;</iframe><!-- ValueClick Media 120x600 SkyScraper CODE v1.0c for scottishgrounds.co.uk --></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" align="left" width="516"> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.scottishgroundguide.co.uk"> <img src="ground2.jpg" border="0" height="83" width="467"></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="125"> <p align="center"><img alt="Badge" src="ayrbadg3.gif" border="0" height="100" width="93"></p> </td> <td valign="top" width="334"> <h1><strong><font color="#ff0000" face="Georgia" size="5"><br> </font><font color="#000000" size="4">Ayr United<br> </font><font color="#000000" size="3">Somerset Park</font></strong><font face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-weight: 400"><br> <br> <strong>Capacity:&nbsp;</strong>10,243 (seated 1,549)<br> <strong>Address: <br> </strong>Tryfield Place, Ayr, KA8 9NB<br> <strong>Telephone No:</strong> 01292 263 435<br> <b>Fax No:</b> 01292 281 314<br> <b>Pitch Size:</b> 110 x 72 yards <br> <strong>Club Nickname:</strong> The Honest Men<strong><br> </strong><b>Year Ground Opened:</b> 1896*<strong><br> </strong><b>Home Kit Colours:</b> All White<br> <b>Official Web Site:</b> <br> <a href="http://www.ayrunitedfc.co.uk/" target="Official Website">www.ayrunitedfc.co.uk</a><br> <b>Unofficial Web Sites:</b> <br> <a href="http://www.honestpage.co.uk" target="The Honest Page">The Honest Page</a><br> <a href="http://www.ayr-united.co.uk" target="Ayr United History">Ayr United History</a></span><br> <br> </font></h1> </td> <td align="center" valign="center" width="101"> <img alt="Map" src="ewayr.gif" border="0" height="134" width="102"></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </center> </div> <div align="center"> <center> <table style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="655"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000"><font color="#ffffff"><b><a name="Contents">Contents</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Verdana" size="2"><a href="#Whats%20The%20Ground%20Like?">What's The Ground Like?</a><br> <a href="#Future%20Developments">Future Developments</a><br> <a href="#Looking%20Towards%20The%20Clock%20End">Main Stand &amp; Railway End</a> <font color="#191970">(photo)</font><br> <a href="#What%20Is%20It%20Like%20For%20Visiting%20Supporters?">What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?</a><br> </font><strong style="FONT-WEIGHT: 400"><a href="#Main%20Stand%20&amp;%20Somerset%20Road%20End">Main Stand &amp; Somerset Road End</a> </strong><font color="#191970" face="Verdana" size="2">(photo)</font><font face="Verdana" size="2"><a href="#Where%20To%20Drink?"><br> Where To Drink?</a><br> <a href="#How%20To%20Get%20There%20By%20Car%20&amp;%20Where%20To%20Park">How To Get There By Car &amp; Where To Park</a><br> <a href="#Anyone%20Seen%20A%20Pot%20Of%20Gold%20At%20Somerset%20Park">Anyone Seen A Pot Of Gold At Somerset Park?</a> <font color="#191970">(photo)</font><br> <a href="#By%20Train/Tube">By Train</a><br> <a href="#Layout%20Of%20Somerset%20Park">Layout Of The Ground</a><br> <a href="#Admission%20Prices">Admission Prices</a><br> <a href="#Programme%20Price">Programme Price</a><br> <a href="#Local%20Rivals">Local Rivals</a></font><br> <font face="Verdana" size="2"><a href="#Fixtures%202011-2012">Fixtures 2011-2012</a><br> <a href="#Record%20Attendance">Record &amp; Average Attendance</a><br> </font><strong style="FONT-WEIGHT: 400"><a href="#Hotel%20Accommodation">Hotel Accommodation</a></strong><font face="Verdana" size="2"><br> <a href="mailto:duncan@footballgrounds.net?subject=Ayr%20United%20Feedback">Feedback</a><br> <a href="index.htm"><br> <strong>Return To The Main Menu</strong></a><strong><br> </strong><a href="index.htm"><br> </a></font><br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000"><strong><a name="Whats The Ground Like?"><font color="#ffffff" face="Verdana" size="2">What's The Ground Like?</font></a></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="left"><font face="Verdana" size="2">A classic traditional looking ground that is predominantly terracing. Only one side has a seating area, in the old Main Stand, part of which dates back to 1924. This stand is covered and the seated area is raised above pitch level. There are also a few supporting pillars which could impede your view. This stand was extended sideways in 1989. In front of the stand are some small sections of terracing, the team dugouts and a small conservatory type structure, that looked to be used by the Police. On the other side is a large open terrace that extends around the corners of the ground. This area is split between home and away fans, who are segregated by a large fence running down the middle of it. At the back of the home fans section is a strange concrete box like structure that looks to have been built behind the existing terrace. This appears to house a number of hospitality boxes that overlook the ground. Both ends are quite similar looking, as they are of roughly the same size and both are covered terracing. The home end, the Somerset Road end is partly covered (to the rear) medium sized terrace, that has a row of supporting pillars running across the front of it. Away fans are located in the opposite end in the Railway Terrace. The ground is completed with a striking set of four floodlight pylons, one located at each corner of the ground.</font></p> <p align="right"><a href="#Contents"><font face="Verdana" size="1">Top Of Page</font></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000"><strong><a name="Future Developments"><font color="#ffffff">Future Developments</font></a></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font size="2">The club had hoped to be moving to a new 7,650 capacity new stadium in the Heathfield area of the town, for the start of the 2009/10 season, with Somerset Park being re-developed for housing. However, the credit crunch and economic downturn has forced the club to put the scheme on hold. This means that we'll get to enjoy Somerset Park for a bit longer yet....</font> <p align="right"><a href="#Contents"><font face="Verdana" size="1">Top Of Page</font></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000"> <p align="center"><strong><a name="Looking Towards The Clock End"><font color="#ffffff" face="Verdana" size="2">Main Stand &amp; Railway End</font></a></strong></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"><font face="Verdana" size="2"><br> <img alt="Somerset Park" src="Ayr.jpg" border="0" height="288" width="606"> </font> </p> <p align="right"><a href="#Contents"><font face="Verdana" size="1">Top Of Page</font></a> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000"><strong><a name="What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?"><font color="#ffffff" face="Verdana" size="2">What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?</font></a></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Verdana" size="2">For the majority of games away fans will be housed in the small standing enclosure in front of the Main Stand at one side of the pitch. For the bigger games against Partick Thistle &amp; Morton then away fans will allocated the covered Railway End Terrace at one end of the ground, as well as some open terrace to either side of it. So visiting fans for these games have a choice as to whether to view the action from either an end or side of the pitch and unless there is a huge travelling support you will normally get a good view of the playing action. With the away end being covered, a relatively small number of away fans can really create some noise, adding to the atmosphere. There are two refreshment kiosks in the away section serving the usual array of pies, hot dogs &amp; burgers. Unfortunately though there is only one set of toilets that are right by the entrance turnstiles to the away end. I would have to say that the mens urinals looked as if they dated back to when the ground opened. I did notice on my visit that parts of the open terrace had a fair few white blobs all over them, thanks to the large local population of seagulls. It may be an idea to make sure you wear a hat if you use the open terrace!<br> <br> Simon Lyndsay a visiting Falkirk supporter adds; 'This is my favourite away game. It is a great old fashioned ground. With good pubs, pies, great fish and chips and I have never had a bit of bother there. The fans can have a go at one another during the game (loads of verbals), but walking away at the end, there never seems to be any hassle. An enthusiastic two thumbs up from me for Somerset Park'.</font> <p align="right"><a href="#Contents"><font face="Verdana" size="1">Top Of Page</font></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000"> <p align="center"><strong><a name="Main Stand &amp; Somerset Road End"><font color="#ffffff">Main Stand &amp; Somerset Road End</font></a></strong></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"><br> <img alt="Main Stand &amp; Somerset Road End" src="ayr31.jpg" border="0" height="252" width="603"><br> <br> &nbsp;</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000"><strong><a name="Where To Drink?"><font color="#ffffff" face="Verdana" size="2">Where To Drink?</font></a></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Verdana" size="2">There are no bars in the immediate vicinity of the ground. So a ten minute walk to the town centre is required, where there are plenty of pubs to be found.</font> Of note are three pubs that are listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, including the Wetherspoons outlet, the West Kirk on Sandgate, Geordie's Byre on the Main Street and Wellington's Bar on Wellington Square.<br> <br> If you are arriving by train at Newton-On-Ayr, then there is Wallaces Bar at 6 Tams Brig. <p align="right"><a href="#Contents"><font face="Verdana" size="1">Top Of Page</font></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000"><strong><a name="How To Get There By Car &amp; Where To Park"><font color="#ffffff" face="Verdana" size="2">How To Get There By Car &amp; Where To Park</font></a></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2">From the A77 take the A719 (Whitletts Road) into Ayr. After passing the racecourse on your left, turn right at the next set of traffic lights for the ground, or turn left to take you down to an unofficial car park. Turning right will take you into Burnett Terrace, then left into Hawkhill Avenue and then right into Somerset Road. The ground is down on the left. There is a small car park at the ground adjacent to the Main Stand which costs £1.50, otherwise there is plenty of street parking to be found in the area around the stadium.<br> <br> For a map showing the location of the ground <a href="http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=234467&amp;Y=622611&amp;A=Y&amp;Z=5" target="Streetmap">click here</a> </font><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="2"><span lang="en-gb">(to take you to the Street Map website)</span>.</font></p> <p align="right"><a href="#Contents"><font face="Verdana" size="1">Top Of Page</font></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000"> <p align="center"><strong><a name="Anyone Seen A Pot Of Gold At Somerset Park"><font color="#ffffff">Anyone Seen A Pot Of Gold At Somerset Park?</font></a></strong></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"><br> <img alt="Open Terrace" src="Ayr30.jpg" border="0" height="324" width="606"></p> <p align="right"><a href="#Contents"><font face="Verdana" size="1">Top Of Page</font></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000"><strong><a name="By Train/Tube"><font color="#ffffff" face="Verdana" size="2">By Train</font></a></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Verdana" size="2">Ayr station is a ten minute walk away from the ground. Exit the station through the back entrance (to the left as you come off the platform, over the footbridge) and turn left once outside. Walk up to the roundabout at the fire station, and go straight ahead at the roundabout, past the left hand side of the Civic Theatre. continue up this road (Craigie Road) to the traffic lights at the top. Go straight across again at this junction, then take a left and a right and you're there. Away fans walk to the left, behind the Main Stand. Thanks to Ruaridh Watson for providing the directions.</font> <br> <br> Callum McCabe adds; 'Newton-On-Ayr station is closer to the ground than Ayr main station, although not as many trains stop there. Go up the hill from the station onto the main Allison Street (A79). Turn right along Allison Street and then cross over to the other side of the road. Continue along Allison Street for a short distance and just before the the bridge where the road crosses the railway, turn left into McCall's Avenue. Go all the way up this road until you cross a railway bridge, and then turn right into Somerset Road. The ground is at the bottom of this road on the right'. <p align="right"><a href="#Contents"><font face="Verdana" size="1">Top Of Page</font></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000"><font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font> <p align="center"><strong><a name="Layout Of Somerset Park"><font color="#ffffff" face="Verdana" size="2">Ground Layout</font></a></strong></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"><font face="Verdana" size="2"><br> <img alt="Layout" src="pitayr.jpg" border="0" height="233" width="328"> </font> </p> <p align="right"><a href="#Contents"><font face="Verdana" size="1">Top Of Page</font></a> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000"><strong><a name="Admission Prices"><font color="#ffffff" face="Verdana" size="2">Admission Prices</font></a><font color="#ffffff" face="Verdana" size="2">&nbsp;</font></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="left"><font face="Verdana" size="2">All areas of the ground:<br> Adults £15, OAP's/Under 16's £8.</font><br> <br> Disabled fans and their carer are admitted free of charge. Places must be booked in advance with the club. </p> <p align="right"><a href="#Contents"><font face="Verdana" size="1">Top Of Page</font></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000"><strong><a name="Programme Price"><font color="#ffffff" face="Verdana" size="2">Programme Price</font></a></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Verdana" size="2">Official Programme £1.50.</font> <p align="right"><a href="#Contents"><font face="Verdana" size="1">Top Of Page</font></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000"><strong><a name="Local Rivals"><font color="#ffffff" face="Verdana" size="2">Local Rivals</font></a></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Verdana" size="2">Kilmarnock.</font> <p align="right"><a href="#Contents"><font face="Verdana" size="1">Top Of Page</font></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000" width="730"><strong><a name="Fixtures 2011-2012"><font color="#ffffff" face="Verdana" size="2">Fixtures 2011-2012</font></a></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="730"><font face="Verdana" size="2"> <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/ayr_united/fixtures/default.stm">Ayr United FC fixture list</a> (takes you to the <span lang="en-gb">BBC Sports</span> Website).</font> <p align="right"><a href="#Contents"><font face="Verdana" size="1">Top Of Page</font></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000"><strong><a name="Record Attendance"><font color="#ffffff" face="Verdana" size="2">Record &amp; Average Attendance</font></a></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Verdana" size="2">Record Attendance:<br> 25,225 v Rangers, 1969.<br> <br> Average Attendance:<br> 2010-2011: 1,156 (Division Two)<br> 2009-2010: 1,783 (Division One)<br> 2008-2009: 1,473 (Division Two)</font> <p align="right"><a href="#Contents"><font face="Verdana" size="1">Top Of Page</font></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000" height="17"><strong><font color="#ffffff"><a name="Hotel Accommodation">Hotel Accommodation</a></font></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="17"><strong style="FONT-WEIGHT: 400"> <span lang="en-gb"><font face="Verdana" size="2">If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Late Rooms. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed &amp; Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going. Access their <a href="http://www.laterooms.com/en/p11333/k16278795_ayr-hotels.aspx"> Ayr Hotels and Guest Houses</a> page.</font></span></strong> <p align="right"><a href="#Contents"><font face="Verdana" size="1">Top Of Page</font></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000000"><strong><font color="#ffffff" face="Verdana" size="2">Feedback</font></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Verdana" size="2">If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please <a href="mailto:duncan@footballgrounds.net?subject=Ayr%20United%20Feedback">e-mail me</a> and I'll update the guide.</font> <p>* The present Somerset Park ground overlies part of the original Somerset Park ground which dates back to 1888.<br> <br> <br> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font> <p align="center"><br> <strong><font size="2"><a href="index.htm">Return To The Main Menu</a></font></strong></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </center> </div> <!--msnavigation--><!--msnavigation--><!--msnavigation--> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;</p> <hr color="#000000" width="50%"> <p align="center"><b><font face="Verdana" size="1">Copyright © Duncan Adams 2012. All rights reserved.<br> Last Revised:&nbsp; 1 January 2012</font><font face="Verdana" size="2"><br> <br> </font></b> </p> <hr color="#000000" width="50%"> <p>&nbsp;</p> </td> </tr> <!--msnavigation--> </tbody> </table> </body> </html>