Geordie's Too Strong for the 'Auld Toon' of Ayr

The first time that the United’s of Newcastle and Ayr came together was on 10th May 1950 in a friendly at Ashington in the North East of England to raise funds for the local YMCA. Newcastle recorded a narrow 2-1 win. A souvenir programme for this match was produced.

Ayr haved played Newcastle United on now on five occasions since the Texaco days of the early 1970's . 

Ayr had a welcome break from a dismal league campaign on 18th November 1970 when first Division Newcastle came to play a friendly to hail the opening of Ayr's floodlights at Somerset Park. The landmark event saw a glittering 2-0 win for Ayr causing Bobby Moncur, the Geordie's captain to question Ayr's lowly league position.

In 1972 Ayr were paired with Newcastle in the Texaco Cup and 8,500 people saw Bobby Moncur return to Somerset Park with such as Malcolm McDonald to slog out a 0-0 draw at Somerset Park. The second leg was notable for Jim McFadzean not being able to be released from his teaching duties and Drew Rogerson made his debut for Ayr. With Newcastle 1-0 ahead Eric Stevenson saw a header come off the bar in 42 minutes. Davie McCulloch was having a superb game for Ayr but the dream ended in 87 minutes when Newcastle got their second and decisive goal.

The two United’s were drawn together again in the 1976/77 Anglo-Scottish Cup and the first leg was held at Somerset Park on 15th September.  Goals from Rikki Fleming, Malky Roberston and Gerry Phillips gave Ayr an impressive 3-0 first leg lead.  However, the second leg was never played. The management committee for the competition decided that Newcastle had played an under strength side - a no no for the competition. Ayr were awarded the tie and went on to a semi-final match with Nottingham Forest

Newcastle United played Ayr on 23rd March 2001 in testimonial for Ayr United star John Traynor, a game which Ayr won by 2-1.