Not So Friendly Match Heralds Opening of New Enclosure

Ayr United had sold their trusty full back Dick Malone to Sunderland during season in 1971 and a friendly against the English side on 4th August 1971 sealed the deal. It proved subsequently a good move for big Dick as he won an English cup winners medal with Sunderland in 1973. 

It proved to be some what more than a friendly with big Dick himself, playing in the Sunderland side of course, being booked after 19 minutes and the Sunderland captain, Gordon Harris being sent off in 82 minutes. 

It hadn’t been a good day for Harris having a first half penalty saved by Ayr keeper, Jim Gilmour. It was a penalty which gave Phil McGovern Ayr's goal from the in the 1-1 draw.

On the positive side Ayr opened their new covered enclosure over the Somerset Road end before the game.

The teams met at Somerset Park again on 28th July 1992 when again the game ended in a draw, this time with no goals scored in a better tempered match.