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| Contents |
| What's The
Ground Like? Future Developments Main Stand & Railway End (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Main Stand & Somerset Road End (photo) Where To Drink? How To Get There By Car & Where To Park Anyone Seen A Pot Of Gold At Somerset Park? (photo) By Train Layout Of The Ground Admission Prices Programme Price Local Rivals Fixtures 2012-2013 Record & Average Attendance Hotel Accommodation Feedback Return To The Main Menu |
| What's The Ground Like? |
|
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 set of four modern floodlight pylons, one located at each corner of the ground. |
| Future Developments |
| 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.... |
|
Please note that since these
photos were taken the old floodlights have been
replaced. |
| What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? |
| 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 & 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 & 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! 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'. |
|
|
| Where To Drink? |
| 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. 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. If you are arriving by train at Newton-On-Ayr, then there is Wallaces Bar at 6 Tams Brig. |
| How To Get There By Car & Where To Park |
|
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. |
|
|
| By Train |
| 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. 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'. |
| Ground Layout |
|
|
| Admission Prices |
|
All areas
of the ground: |
| Programme Price |
| Official Programme £1.50. |
| Local Rivals |
| Kilmarnock. |
| Fixtures 2012-2013 |
| Ayr United FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website). |
| Record & Average Attendance |
| Record Attendance: 25,225 v Rangers, 1969. Average Attendance: 2011-2012: 1,567 (Division One) 2010-2011: 1,156 (Division Two) 2009-2010: 1,783 (Division One) |
| Hotel Accommodation |
| 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 & 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 Ayr Hotels and Guest Houses page. |
| Feedback |
| If anything is incorrect
or you have something to add, please e-mail
me and I'll update the guide.
* The present Somerset Park ground overlies part of
the original Somerset Park ground which dates back to
1888. |
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Copyright
© Duncan Adams 2012. All rights reserved.
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