The 2016–17 season was Ayr United's 107th season of competitive football and their first season back in the second tier of Scottish football, now known as the Championship.[1] Ayr also competed in the League Cup, Scottish Cup and the Challenge Cup.
2016–17 season | |||
---|---|---|---|
Manager | Ian McCall | ||
Stadium | Somerset Park | ||
Scottish Championship | Tenth Place (Relegated) | ||
Scottish Cup | Quarter-final | ||
League Cup | Second round | ||
Challenge Cup | Quarter-final | ||
Top goalscorer | League: Alan Forrest (6) All: Alan Forrest (9) | ||
Highest home attendance | 3,100 v Hibernian, Championship, 5 November 2016 | ||
Lowest home attendance | 862 v Edinburgh City, League Cup, 23 July 2016 | ||
Average home league attendance | 1,854 | ||
| |||
Summary
editSeason
editIn their first season back in the second tier of Scottish football, Ayr United finished in tenth place and were relegated back to League One after only one season in the Scottish Championship. Their relegation was confirmed on the final day of the season with a 2–1 away defeat to Raith Rovers.[2]
Results and fixtures
editWin Draw Loss Postponed
Pre-season and friendlies
edit2 July 2016 | Stenhousemuir | 0 – 2 | Ayr United | Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir |
14:00 | Report |
Raydale Cup
edit10 July 2016 Semi-final | Ayr United | 0 – 2 | South Shields | Raydale Park, Gretna |
Ayr United | Arca 39' Scroggins 41' |
11 July 2016 3rd place play-off | Gretna 2008 | 0 – 8 | Ayr United | Raydale Park, Gretna |
14:00 | Ayr United | Thomas 14', 62' (pen.) McCreadie 60' McGuffie 65' Forrest 71', 90' Donald 79' Crawford 82' |
Scottish Championship
edit6 August 2016 1 | Ayr United | 0 – 2 | Raith Rovers | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | Report | Callachan 19' Matthews 75' |
Attendance: 1,550 Referee: Euan Anderson |
13 August 2016 2 | Queen of the South | 4 – 1 | Ayr United | Palmerston Park, Dumfries |
15:00 | Lyle 12', 53' Dobbie 44' Dykes 74' |
Report | Nisbet 61' | Attendance: 1,982 Referee: Stephen Finnie |
20 August 2016 3 | Dundee United | 3 – 0 | Ayr United | Tannadice Park, Dundee |
15:00 | Murray 13' Robson 37' Flood 76' |
Report | Attendance: 6,427 Referee: Greg Aitken |
27 August 2016 4 | Ayr United | 1 – 1 | St Mirren | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | Adams 14' | Report | Walsh 89' | Attendance: 2,165 Referee: Crawford Allan |
10 September 2016 5 | Ayr United | 2 – 1 | Greenock Morton | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | Cairney 47' Forrest 69' |
Report | Forbes 86' | Attendance: 1,441 Referee: John McKendrick |
17 September 2016 6 | Hibernian | 1 – 2 | Ayr United | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
15:00 | Cummings 50' Bartley 67' |
Report | Balatoni 74' Gilmour 80' |
Attendance: 15,056 Referee: Nick Walsh |
24 September 2016 7 | Falkirk | 2 – 0 | Ayr United | Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk |
15:00 | Meggatt 78' (o.g.) Miller 90 1' |
Report | Attendance: 4,345 Referee: Willie Collum |
1 October 2016 8 | Ayr United | 0 – 0 | Dunfermline Athletic | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | Report | Attendance: 2,883 Referee: Don Robertson |
15 October 2016 9 | Dumbarton | 0 – 3 | Ayr United | Dumbarton Football Stadium, Dumbarton |
15:00 | Report | Forrest 2', 50', 62 pen.' | Attendance: 1,005 Referee: Gavin Duncan |
22 October 2016 10 | Ayr United | 1 – 0 | Queen of the South | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | Cairney 52' | Report | Attendance: 1,842 Referee: John Beaton |
29 October 2016 11 | Greenock Morton | 2 – 1 | Ayr United | Cappielow, Greenock |
15:00 | O'Ware 73' Oliver 89' |
Report | Nisbet 37' | Attendance: 1,859 Referee: Mat Northcroft |
5 November 2016 12 | Ayr United | 0 – 3 | Hibernian | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | Report | Boyle 28', 77' McGinn 84' |
Attendance: 3,100 Referee: Kevin Clancy |
19 November 2016 13 | Ayr United | 0 – 1 | Falkirk | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | Report | Craigen 15' | Attendance: 1,414 Referee: Gavin Duncan |
22 November 2016 14 | Raith Rovers | 1 – 1 | Ayr United | Stark's Park, Kirkcaldy |
19:45 | Coustrain 17' Benedictus 36' |
Report | Cairney 57' Harkins 88' |
Attendance: 1,241 Referee: Craig Charleston |
3 December 2016 15 | Dunfermline Athletic | 1 – 1 | Ayr United | East End Park, Dunfermline |
15:00 | Clark 30' Martin 48' |
Report | Forrest 50', pen.' | Attendance: 3,250 Referee: Barry Cook |
10 December 2016 16 | Ayr United | 0 – 1 | Dundee United | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | Report | Obadeyi 6' | Attendance: 2,049 Referee: Willie Collum |
17 December 2016 17 | St Mirren | 1 – 1 | Ayr United | St Mirren Park, Paisley |
15:00 | Sutton 81' | Report | Cairney 63' Adams 77' |
Attendance: 3,124 Referee: Greg Aitken |
24 December 2016 18 | Ayr United | 4 – 4 | Dumbarton | Somerset Park, Ayr |
12:30 | McKenna 31' Harkins 43' Forest 74' (pen.) Cairney 85' |
Report | R. Thomson 45 2' Harvie 52' Stirling 73' J. Thomson 84' Stevenson 88' |
Attendance: 1,441 Referee: Craig Charleston |
31 December 2016 19 | Queen of the South | 0 – 0 | Ayr United | Palmerston Park, Dumfries |
14:00 | Report | Attendance: 1,863 Referee: Steven Kirkland |
7 January 2017 20 | Ayr United | 0 – 2 | Dunfermline Athletic | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | Report | Clark 26' Geggan 33' |
Attendance: 2,261 Referee: Craig Thomson |
14 January 2017 21 | Falkirk | 1 – 1 | Ayr United | Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk |
15:00 | Grant 45 2' | Report | Harkins 24' | Attendance: 5,038 Referee: Bobby Madden |
28 January 2017 22 | Ayr United | 1 – 4 | Greenock Morton | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | Adams 36' | Report | Forbes 11', 19' Oliver 31', 65' |
Attendance: 1,576 Referee: Don Robertson |
4 February 2017 23 | Hibernian | 1 – 1 | Ayr United | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
15:00 | Cummings 74' | Report | Crawford 4' | Attendance: 14,349 Referee: Crawford Allan |
18 February 2017 24 | Dumbarton | 2 – 2 | Ayr United | Dumbarton Football Stadium, Dumbarton |
15:00 | Stanton 62', 75' | Report | Docherty 27' Rose 90 1' Moore 90 3' (pen.) |
Attendance: 1,198 Referee: John McKendrick |
25 February 2017 25 | Ayr United | 0 – 2 | St Mirren | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | Report | Sutton 51' Morgan 82' |
Attendance: 2,712 Referee: Craig Thomson |
28 February 2017 26 | Ayr United | 1 – 0 | Raith Rovers | Somerset Park, Ayr |
19:45 | El Alagui 62' | Report | Attendance: 1,103 Referee: Willie Collum |
11 March 2017 27 | Ayr United | 1 – 4 | Falkirk | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | Harkins 64' | Report | Austin 8', 63' Sibbald 90' Aird 90 2' |
Attendance: 1,614 Referee: Steven McLean |
18 March 2017 28 | Dunfermline Athletic | 0 – 1 | Ayr United | East End Park, Dunfermline |
15:00 | Report | Docherty 49' | Attendance: 3,276 Referee: Bobby Madden |
25 March 2017 29 | Ayr United | 2 – 1 | Dumbarton | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | El Alagui 45 1' Crawford 51' |
Report | R. Thomson 21' Fleming 71' |
Attendance: 1,608 Referee: Craig Charleston |
28 March 2017 30 | Dundee United | 2 – 1 | Ayr United | Tannadice Park, Dundee |
19:45 | Murray 23' Durnan 78' |
Report | Harkins 51' (pen.) | Attendance: 4,661 Referee: Barry Cook |
1 April 2017 31 | St Mirren | 6 – 2 | Ayr United | St Mirren Park, Paisley |
15:00 | Mallan 5' MacKenzie 20' McGinn 23' Magennis 36' Morgan 52' Smith 88' |
Report | Cairney 74' El Alagu 87' |
Attendance: 4,620 Referee: Gavin Duncan |
8 April 2017 32 | Ayr United | 0 – 2 | Queen of the South | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | Report | Dobbie 71', 76' | Attendance: 1,476 Referee: Alan Newlands |
15 April 2017 33 | Ayr United | 0 – 0 | Dundee United | Somerset Park, Ayr |
17:15 | Report | Attendance: 1,205 Referee: Crawford Allan |
22 April 2017 34 | Greenock Morton | 1 – 1 | Ayr United | Cappielow, Greenock |
15:00 | Shankland 38' | Report | Moore 45 1' | Attendance: 2,390 Referee: Steven Kirkland |
29 April 2017 35 | Ayr United | 0 – 4 | Hibernian | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | Report | Cummings 27', 72' Boyle 30' Keatings 66' |
Attendance: 2,152 Referee: Stephen Finnie |
6 May 2017 36 | Raith Rovers | 2 – 1 | Ayr United | Stark's Park, Kirkcaldy |
15:00 | Penska 4' Court 37' McManus 90' |
Report | Docherty 70' | Attendance: 3,064 Referee: Steven McLean |
Scottish League Cup
editGroup stage
editResults
16 July 2016 Group G | Ayr United | 2 – 1 | Hamilton Academical | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | Forrest 2' (pen.) Crawford 49' |
Report | Longridge 90 4' | Attendance: 994 Referee: Willie Collum |
19 July 2016 Group G | St Mirren | 1 – 0 | Ayr United | St Mirren Park, Paisley |
19:45 | Baird 90 3' | SPFL Report | Attendance: 2,098 Referee: John Beaton |
23 July 2016 Group G | Ayr United | 1 – 0 | Edinburgh City | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | Gilmour 11' | Report | Attendance: 862 Referee: Barry Cook |
26 July 2016 Group G | Livingston | 0 – 2 | Ayr United | Almondvale, Livingston |
19:45 | Report | Murphy 19' McGuffie 78' |
Attendance: 643 Referee: David Lowe |
Knockout phase
edit10 August 2016 Second round | Ayr United | 1 – 2 | Aberdeen | Somerset Park, Ayr |
19:45 | Forrest 41' | Report | Meggatt 3' (o.g.) McGinn 30' |
Attendance: 2,653 Referee: Alan Muir |
Scottish Challenge Cup
edit4 September 2016 Third round | Ayr United | 3 – 2 (a.e.t.) | Airdrieonians | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | McGuffie 35' Forrest 45' Balatoni 97' |
Report | Conroy 14' Balatoni 49' (o.g.) Russell 113' |
Attendance: 1,135 Referee: Barry Cook |
7 October 2016 Fourth round | Ayr United | 1 – 0 (a.e.t.) | Falkirk | Somerset Park, Ayr |
19:45 | Harkins 114' | Report | Attendance: 1,247 Referee: Alan Muir |
13 November 2016 Quarter-final | St Mirren | 2 – 1 | Ayr United | St Mirren Park, Paisley |
15:00 | Sutton 83', 85' | Report | O'Connell 68' | Attendance: 2,199 Referee: Crawford Allan |
Scottish Cup
edit29 November 2016 Third round | Brechin City | 0 – 1 | Ayr United | Glebe Park, Brechin |
19:45 | Report | O'Connell 70' | Attendance: 308 Referee: Alan Muir |
21 January 2017 Fourth round | Ayr United | 0 – 0 | Queen's Park | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | Report | Attendance: 1,326 Referee: Barry Cook |
24 January 2017 Fourth round reply | Queen's Park | 2 – 2 (a.e.t.) (4 – 5 p) | Ayr United | Hampden Park |
19:45 | Woods 4' Bryan Wharton 32' Burns 97' |
Report | Moore 26' Cairney Balatoni 83' |
Attendance: 1,026 Referee: Barry Cook |
11 February 2017 Fifth round | Ayr United | 1 – 1 | Clyde | Somerset Park, Ayr |
15:00 | Cairney 70' | Report | Gormley 55' | Attendance: 1,554 Referee: Stephen Finnie |
14 February 2017 Fifth round replay | Clyde | 1 – 2 (a.e.t.) | Ayr United | Broadwood Stadium |
19:45 | Gormley 88' | Report | McDaid 11' Wardrope 117' |
Attendance: 965 Referee: Stephen Finnie |
4 March 2017 Quarter-final | Hibernian | 3 – 1 | Ayr United | Easter Road Stadium |
15:00 | McGinn 7' Cummings 12' (pen.) Keatings 79' |
Report | McGuffie 33' McKenna 45' |
Attendance: 13,602 Referee: Nick Walsh |
Player statistics
edit- As of 6 May 2017[3]
No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Championship | League Cup | Challenge Cup | Scottish Cup | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
1 | GK | SCO | Greg Fleming | 49 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
2 | DF | SCO | Nicky Devlin | 48 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
3 | DF | SCO | Patrick Boyle | 41 | 0 | 26 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
4 | DF | SCO | Brian Gilmour | 37 | 2 | 19 6 | 1 | 2 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 2 | 0 |
5 | DF | SCO | Michael Rose | 24 | 1 | 10 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 4 | 0 |
6 | DF | IRL | Peter Murphy | 39 | 1 | 29 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 1 | 0 |
8 | DF | SCO | Robbie Crawford | 37 | 3 | 24 3 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
9 | DF | SCO | Craig Moore | 17 | 3 | 9 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
10 | MF | SCO | Alan Forrest | 45 | 9 | 24 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 5 | 0 |
11 | MF | SCO | Declan McDaid | 9 | 1 | 2 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
12 | MF | SCO | Gary Harkins | 40 | 6 | 30 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
14 | MF | SCO | Paul Cairney | 42 | 6 | 27 3 | 5 | 4 1 | 0 | 2 1 | 0 | 3 1 | 1 |
15 | FW | FRA | Farid El Alagui | 11 | 3 | 8 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
16 | MF | SCO | Jamie Adams | 25 | 2 | 16 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 1 | 0 |
17 | FW | SCO | Kevin Nisbet | 20 | 2 | 11 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
18 | DF | SCO | Daryll Meggatt | 43 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
19 | GK | SCO | Jordan Hart | 2 | 0 | 0 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
20 | MF | SCO | Michael Wardrope | 11 | 1 | 2 3 | 0 | 0 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 2 | 1 |
21 | MF | SCO | Craig McGuffie | 40 | 3 | 6 20 | 0 | 2 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 3 | 1 |
22 | DF | ENG | Conrad Balatoni | 39 | 3 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
23 | MF | SCO | Ross Docherty | 42 | 2 | 29 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
26 | DF | SCO | Scott McKenna | 14 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Players who left the club during the 2016–17 season | |||||||||||||
7 | FW | WAL | Jamie Thomas | 7 | 0 | 0 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
11 | MF | SCO | Michael Donald | 13 | 0 | 1 5 | 0 | 2 1 | 0 | 0 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
15 | MF | IRL | Andy O'Connell | 15 | 2 | 1 7 | 0 | 1 2 | 0 | 0 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
17 | FW | SCO | Sean McKenzie | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 1 | 0 |
22 | DF | SCO | Craig McCracken | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
25 | DF | SCO | Andy Johnston | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Team statistics
editLeague table
editPos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 | Queen of the South | 36 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 46 | 52 | −6 | 43 | |
7 | St Mirren | 36 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 52 | 56 | −4 | 39 | |
8 | Dumbarton | 36 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 46 | 56 | −10 | 39 | |
9 | Raith Rovers (R) | 36 | 10 | 9 | 17 | 35 | 52 | −17 | 39 | Qualification for the Championship play-offs |
10 | Ayr United (R) | 36 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 33 | 62 | −29 | 33 | Relegation to League One |
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(R) Relegated
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(R) Relegated
Division summary
editUpdated to match(es) played on 6 May 2017. Source: [4]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
League Cup table
edit
Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | HAM | AYR | STM | LIV | EDI | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Hamilton Academical (Q) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 9 | Qualification for the Second Round | — | — | 3–0 | 2–1 | — | |
2 | Ayr United (Q) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 2–1 | — | — | — | 1–0 | ||
3 | St Mirren | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 9 | — | 1–0 | — | — | 3–0 | ||
4 | Livingston | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 7 | −1 | 3 | — | 0–2 | 2–3 | — | — | ||
5 | Edinburgh City | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 11 | −9 | 0 | 2–4 | — | — | 0–3 | — |
Transfers
edit
Players inedit
|
Players outedit
|
References
edit- ^ "Ayr United 0-0 Stranraer (agg 1-1, 3-1 pens)". BBC Sport. BBC. 15 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "Ayr United are relegated from the Championship after last day defeat to Raith Rovers". dailyrecord.co.uk. Daily Record. 7 May 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "Ayr FC Player Appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
- ^ "Scottish Championship 2016/17". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- ^ "United sign Cairney". ayrunitedfc.co.uk. Ayr United F.C. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Michael Rose signs for 16/17". ayrunitedfc.co.uk. Ayr United F.C. 18 June 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Meggatt signs for United". ayrunitedfc.co.uk. Ayr United F.C. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Ayr United sign goalkeeper Jordan Hart from Annan Athletic". dailyrecord.co.uk. Daily Record. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Thomas Joins Ayr On Loan". burnleyfootballclub.com. Burnley F.C. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Craig Moore returns". ayrunitedfc.co.uk. Ayr United F.C. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Kevin Nisbet signs". ayrunitedfc.co.uk. Ayr United F.C. 9 August 2016. Archived from the original on 10 August 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Gary Harkins signs". ayrunitedfc.co.uk. Ayr United F.C. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Balatoni signs for United". ayrunitedfc.co.uk. Ayr United F.C. 2 September 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Ayr United sign Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna on loan". dailyrecord.co.uk. Daily Record. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Declain McDaid joins United". ayrunitedfc.co.uk. Ayr United F.C. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Farid signs for United". ayrunitedfc.co.uk. Ayr United F.C. 7 February 2017. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Graham moves from Ayr to Alloa". spfl.co.uk. SPFL. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Stevenson switches to Sons from Ayr United". dumbartonfootballclub.com. Dumbarton F.C. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Players released". Brechin Advertiser. 8 June 2016. Archived from the original on 18 June 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
- ^ "Gerry Signs For Cowden". cowdenbeathfc.com. Cowdenbeath F.C. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Jordan Preston signs". guiseleyafc.co.uk. Guiseley F.C. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2020.