Ayr United in june 2010. I went there more in hope, than expectation, but after popping into the club offices by their portakabin style shop, I cheekily asked if it would be possible to look inside, & to my delight, a chap agreed! I didn't walk round the whole ground. He may have let me, I don't know, but I was a bit too embarrassed to push it & ask. Just happy to have got inside at all!
So here is a brief look at Somerset Park, I don't know if I'll ever get back there, but it is one of those many grounds that I 'really want to do!'
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAlyyrALF5I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/g8EuK2gDz1M/s400/DSCF2161.jpg)
A glimpse of the ground from the train. My heart dropped. It looked so great, I just knew I wouldn't be able to get in...
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAlzB2iF3TI/AAAAAAAAA34/J55Eh0HF3S0/s400/DSCF2183.jpg)
Approaching the ground...
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAly-ePCAxI/AAAAAAAAA3w/qjZ2MZlOebs/s400/DSCF2168.jpg)
Turnstiles on the corner, & the towering pylons.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAly8RTZiII/AAAAAAAAA3s/E1qpCCLOwZg/s400/DSCF2167.jpg)
Lovely matchday sign on the wall, almost from a bygone era.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAly65uFlkI/AAAAAAAAA3o/LYRE-PhUrBA/s400/DSCF2166.jpg)
The turnstiles again.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAly2wai1eI/AAAAAAAAA3g/vQPW4WNjSYw/s400/DSCF2163.jpg)
The outer walls of the main stand, down the side.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAly0pew5tI/AAAAAAAAA3c/582coFtsk6I/s400/DSCF2162.jpg)
set back, further laong, to the left, is this club shop, with offices behind it. It looked shut, but there we people inside & I bought a few things.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAlyuF0Sy3I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/PCQK6aZQX1s/s400/DSCF2159.jpg)
And this is the main entrance, where I was allowed to enter!
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAlyr5lKX7I/AAAAAAAAA3M/PNSlvpFScF8/s400/DSCF2158.jpg)
Once inside we are in front of the main stand. To our left is a covered end. The right hand corner is where the turnstile block is, which we saw earlier.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAlyWc8RQAI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/8TdmskrAZG4/s400/DSCF2147.jpg)
Opposite is an open terrace, with some sort of building behind. I have no idea what it is.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAlyYrCnSpI/AAAAAAAAA2c/EDc6fV2Aa_U/s400/DSCF2148.jpg)
And to our left is another covered end.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAlyaWQdE4I/AAAAAAAAA2g/Pg_WSRK3unQ/s400/DSCF2149.jpg)
Turning behind us we see the magnificent old stand, with a traditional terraced paddock in front.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAlycLpxqxI/AAAAAAAAA2k/H5JauGyJXg0/s400/DSCF2150.jpg)
I walk along to behind the goal, and here we see along this terrace.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAlyePRs5BI/AAAAAAAAA2o/qgeIq2z59Og/s400/DSCF2151.jpg)
From this end we look down the pitch.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAlyfhiRADI/AAAAAAAAA2w/w-oCF6Ve9RY/s400/DSCF2152.jpg)
Behind the goal we glance left, to the open terrace along the side.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAlyhtcFXcI/AAAAAAAAA20/J7NQbuglSVI/s400/DSCF2153.jpg)
A similar shot, just to the left of the goal.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAlyjq6_91I/AAAAAAAAA24/EFYq2XRZcoM/s400/DSCF2154.jpg)
Turning the other way we get a good look at the stand.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAlyk6vi3MI/AAAAAAAAA28/M7sHipUykC4/s400/DSCF2155.jpg)
Retracing our steps it's time to leave, I didn't want to impose by taking too long, I was pleased at their kindness just letting me see inside, so almost our last snap. Of the paddock in front of the stand.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAlynrVR_ZI/AAAAAAAAA3E/LV2uk5WKYd4/s400/DSCF2156.jpg)
We couldn't leave without a dugout shot!
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAlypx_KtQI/AAAAAAAAA3I/RtAQJLG9iFI/s400/DSCF2157.jpg)
A final look up at the magnificent old fashioned floodlight pylons. I really hope I get to return here one day for a match.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TAly4LdO8QI/AAAAAAAAA3k/66UzBB6tcrM/s400/DSCF2165.jpg)
6 comments:
You are right, Somerset Park is a great old-fashioned ground. A friend of mine had friends over from Holland the other week, they went to the stadium on a Monday afternoon and asked if they could have a look inside. They were given a free tour and were even offered a programme signed by the squad! So I'm sure the guy would have let you walk round the whole ground!
I was lucky to get a look around and few photo's myself whilst visiting Ayr yesterday. Fantastic ground, a proper football ground.
Bas: You are right, I should have asked! But he was at work, & I didn't really want to impose on his time, I was just happy to have been able to get a peek inside.
Geordiefootball: Agree, it is fantastic. I must return one day,so I can 'tick' it iff, & see an actual match there.
I haven't had the chance to visit Somerset Park when I was in Scotland last year but I did visit a few grounds like Dunfermline Athletic (proper old fashioned ground as well), Inverness CT, Rlgin City, Ross County, Stirling Albion.
Each time I asked if I could have a look and each time they agreed and at Inverness and Stirling, someone gave me a lot of infos about the stadium and the club. At Inverness, it was the club secretary and he even gave a me a couple of programmes when I left.
Very welcoming people.
Stéphane, belgium
I couldn't agree with you more, Stephane. The Scots are extremely friendly.
The building behind the open terrace is, i believe, the exec boxes for corporate hospitality.
Post a Comment