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1. Ayr Parkhouse
2. Celtic
3. Stranraer
4. Ayr FC
5. Stenhousemuir
6. East Fife
What is this list? As of Thursday, 24th April 2014 this is the top six in the SPL. How did it come about? Well, that is what I'm about to tell you.
...
1. June 2006
The decision of the SFL to expel Elgin from the league coincided perfectly with the power shift amongst the Ayr United board. Andrew Laing and Iain Bartholomew each had the funds to buy out the existing owner, but following a fifty-fifty split in the shareholders vote the league slot offered was a godsend.
Bartholomew and Laing decided to reverse the decision taken in 1910 to merge Ayr FC and Ayr Parkhouse, with the latter applying for the berth in the Third Division vacated by Elgin. Inevitably, with millions behind the deal, all went well and the two teams were ready to start the 2006/07 season, Ayr FC taking United's place in the Second Division and Parkhouse acceding to the Third.
Despite being in the Second Division, Ayr and Laing were able to coax Marcello Lippi out of retirement for the coming season. No players were signed, but over the year fan favourites Gareth Wardlaw, Eddie Forrest, Chris Robertson and Jerome Vareille were released. Meanwhile, Parkhouse and Bartholomew were able to hire Frank Rijkaard as manager, the Dutchman having parted company with Barcelona, commencing a six-year stewardship. With no signed players his was a tougher task, but a talented pool of local youngsters made up the bulk of his squad, goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama being the only purchase, and even then he cost no fee in moving from Bnei Yehuda, the Nigerian beginning an eight-year (and counting) run as number one.
The coming season promised to be thrilling for both sides, but though Rijkaard's Parkhouse cruised to the Third Division championship, Lippi wasn't as enthusiastic, failing to inspire a solid bunch of players, and on 10th February 2007 he was sacked by Laing to be replaced with Rafa Benitez, who had recently been forced to vacate the manager's role at Liverpool.
Benitez was a wise man, and in appointing Terry Venables as assistant, had a shrewd assistant. Promotion via the playoffs was ultimately achieved, but it had not been as simple as had been expected.
Heh, had been planning this before the recent veterans revival, but sticking with the plan nonetheless.
This is the most recent update + db with a few minor changes. Ayr FC replacing Ayr United, Ayr Parkhouse replacing Elgin, each made wealthy. The reputations of the Scottish Divisions have been increased, but remain relative to each other.
I've run the game on to March 2014 where I took control of both Ayr and Parkhouse. Lots of things have happened in the interim period.
Although Ayr had snuck up through the playoffs, everyone connected with the club was more than aware that back-to-back promotions may be necessary, given the likelihood of Parkhouse storming past them in 08/09 were they to fail. The bottleneck caused by 1-up, 1-down atop the First Division had to be circumvented if stagnation were to be avoided. Again, though, they struggled. Rafa Benitez, though, again failed to sign solid players, releasing many veterans and turning to youth. With the team struggling the fans grew angry, but ultimately the title was won on the final day and Benitez could breathe again.
Over at Parkhouse, Rijkaard began to sign some of the quality players who would prove to be the backbone of the side for years to come. £32m was spent as Carlos Tevez (£20m), Alex (£3.8m), Carlos Diogo (£3.7m) and others arrived. The title was won and promotion secured, though not as comfortably as might be expected with those stars in the team.
Parkhouse were expected to saunter through the First Division and duly obliged, finishing fifteen points clear of a disappointed Gretna side. Coming in to boost the squad were Papa Bouba Diop, Didier Digard, Dale Bennett, Goran Pandev and Yoann Gourcuff. Pandev's transfer fee of £16.75m the biggest splash since Tevez. Loan deals saw MartÃ*n Demichelis, Jonathan Evans and Fabrice Muamba join short term, but it was the glorious run to Scottish Cup victory that took the headlines, Raith, Arbroath, Hearts, Hibs and ultimately Kilmarnock failing to halt the Parkies bandwagon. Both Ayr sides would be in the UEFA Cup in 09/10.
Back to the past later, but for now, let's bring things up to speed.
On 29th March 2014 the town of Ayr bore witness to a football revolution. Arsene Wenger and Ronald Koeman were ousted by Parkhouse and Ayr FC to be replaced respectively by Raul Magnifico and Harvey McMillan.
Fast forward to 8th August 2015 and an incredulous Parkhouse support bears witness to a phenomenon. The World Player of the Year, Nilmar, and the World Footballer of the Year, Sultan Cem, lining up together as a strikeforce, in Ayr, for Parkhouse. Unbelievable.
Cem, of course, is the darling of the Parkhouse support after signing in the summer of 2014 from Lecce for over £18m, off the back of winning the award for best player at the 2014 World Cup with Turkey. 39 goals in 52 games later and with a Champions League semi final in the back pocket, he was established as a Parkies legend.
Nilmar's Bosman arrival from Porto heralded the end of eight seasons at the club, in which he netted 97 league goals. 36 in 50 competitive games in 2014/15 was comparable with Cem's tally, and it was a mouthwatering prospect for the support, particularly as the lack of a genuine number 2 striker had seen the champions dethroned, finishing fifth in Magnifico's first full season in charge.
McMillan's Ayr side had struggled still further, ultimately finishing tenth, but avoiding relegation only on the final day. This said, the run to the final of the UEFA Cup was a sensation, and failure to beat Barcelona in Madrid was forgiven - after all, the win at Camp Nou in the group stage had provided memories enough to last most supporters a lifetime!
Despite this disappointing league position, seven of the opening day starters for 2015/16 were returning players and a creditable 1-1 draw at Champions League side Hearts was achieved.
Meantime, in Ayr, the new strike pairing of Nilmar and Cem was being unveiled against Gretna, who had pipped Parkhouse to fourth place a few months previously. Ronaldinho, signed on a Bosman by Magnifico to provide right sided balance, captained the side, but depite the big names it was on-loan Real Madrid striker Tieme Van Binsbergen who opened the scoring on eight minutes.
Ten minutes later, however, a key moment arrived, Nilmar slamming home a scrappy leveller and beginning the goals tally for the new partnership. Despite a number of chances, no further efforts passed Gretna goalkeeper Nicky Bannister, and it was he who made off with the man of the match champagne. Another season was underway.
Meet the first team squads. Many of these players have a long and glorious past, others have come through the academies. All are the key pieces of the two Ayr-based squads for 2015/16.
Hinc arrived at Parkhouse in a £1m January move from Portuguese giants Benfica. In a strange way this benefitted both Ayr sides, Parkhouse gaining a new starting goalie, Ayr going on to beat Benfica soundly in the UEFA Cup. Although Mateusz played OK in the SPL, it was in the Champions League that he came alive, conceding four goals in five games, winning two man of the match awards and averaging 8.20 as only a goal deep into injury time in the second leg of the semi final saw eventual winners Arsenal progress. Perhaps the higlight was the fine Quarter Final win over Real Madrid, with a backs-to-the-wall 3-1 win in Spain followed by a fine 2-0 triumph back on the west coast of Scotland, but more on that later.
Thompson cost a mammoth £20.5m when he was poached from fellow Champions League qualifiers Stranraer in August 2014. Despite this, he struggled to displace then starter Victor Enyeama, performing poorly when given his opportunities. At 21 he has as many as 20 years left to prove his transfer fee wasn't a bad joke, but with Hinc now in situe, it looke like 2015/16 will be a year on the bench, injuries and suspensions permitting.
Didier DigardFRA (52 caps) - 29yo 2014/15 league record: Ayr Parkhouse: Played 34, no goals, 3 assists, 3 MoM, Ave: 7.29
Didier Digard is a star. After deputising in midfield as Magnifico guided Parkhouse to league glory at the tail end of 2013/14, he filled that role once more in the new season, until it seemed as though even the top 6 would be a struggle. Thereafter he slotted back to his natural position at centre half, playing out of his skin in all competitions. Although he didn't score in the SPL, he did manage three in eleven games in the Champions League, including the vital third strike in the Bernabeu. A rock at the heart of the defence, but it will take a strong start to the new season if he is to remain settled, Newcastle being the latest side to take an interest in him. His continued presence, though, may be vital, with every other defensive starter from 2014/15 replaced.
Ronnie WaideNIR (22 caps) - 22yo 2014/15 league record: Wigan: Played 20, 4 assists, Ave: 6.85 Tottenham: Played 1, Ave: 7.00 Ayr Parkhouse: Played 10, Ave: 7.10
After moving to Tottenham at the start of the January window, Waide turned around and joined Ayr a few weeks later as a makeweight for Tottenham's purchase of Eduard Avdeev (an expensive Magnifico mistake). Despite his ability to play at right back or on the right wing, he produced little positive for Parkhouse last term and figures to be first choice right fullback this time around. Just 22, but will be expected to handle a significant level of responsibility.
Pierre BustamantePER (17 caps) - 23yo 2014/15 league record: Monterrey: Played 33, 1 goal, 2 MoM, Ave: 7.27
The Peruvian international figures to be Digard's first choice partner in the heart of defence. Two good seasons for Racing Club in Argentina preceded his fine year in Mexico, and at 23 will be expected to lead by example. With £4.2m representing a loss on Monterrey's part, there are perhaps some questions remaining, but a positive start to the new campaign will likely silence the doubters.
Kevin RichardsonSCO (10 U21 caps, 1 U21 goal) - 19yo 2014/15 league record: Ayr Parkhouse: Played 27, 1 Assist, Ave: 7.07
Having graduated from the Parkhouse Academy in 2012, Richardson swiftly progressed, making his league debut that same season. Even last season, however - his third since graduation, he struggled to nail down a starting role. Even with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United making regular efforts to sign him, it was too much to expect a sparking performance, week-in, week-out. What he does have in abundance is potential, and the price tag on that, if you ask Magnifico, is £10m plus a 50% sell on clause. Nobody has met that price. Now Richardson is expected to make the left back position his own, if he fails there is a replacement on hand, however.
Thomas ManganiFRA - 28yo 2014/15 league record: Fiorentina: Played 16, Ave: 6.50
Although he's never really had a complete season of high-quality performances, Mangani does bring experience and veteran leadership to the table, which could be vital in the heart of such a young defence. Has played in Serie A for six years, and is not yet thirty. A depth signing, but a necessary one.
Scott WardSCO (3U21 caps) - 19yo
[i]2014/15 league record: Ipswich (loan): Played 18, 1 assist, Ave: 6.06 Ayr Parkhouse: Played 7, Ave: 7.71[i]
Ward was recalled from Ipswich during an injury crisis and played the anchor midfield role to perfection for the remainder of the season. New additions mean that he is more likely to be utilised as a defender this term, but the 2012 graduate is finally catching up to his more illustrious classmate, Richardson.
Michael EssienGHA (71 caps, 10 goals) - 32yo
2014/15 league record: Ayr Parkhouse: Played 24, 2 goals, 2 assists, 1 MoM, Ave: 7.13
Despite being asked to play in a number of different roles, the versatile Essien produced quality in abundance, week-in and week-out. With a few superfluous players cleared out he will be expected to anchor the midfield and direct play. If anyone can do that job, surely Essien can. Even at 31 (as he was then) the transfer fee requried to capture his signature was £24.5m, and with that tag comes high expectations. He will be expected to exceed those. If that makes any sense.
RonaldinhoBRA (115 caps, 44 goals) - 35yo
2014/15 league record: Barcelona: Played 8, 1 assist, Ave: 6.25
Ronny's twelfth season in Barcelona turned out to be two too many, and an inevitable Bosman move followed. Those eight league games were one more than in the previous year, but with a new team comes a new lease of life, and the club captain will be expected only to balance out the stunningly talented Yuri Janssen, who's left flank will surely see the majority of play.
Yuri JanssenBEL (7 caps, 1 goal) - 25yo
2014/15 league record: Chelsea: Played 1, Ave: 7.00 Ayr Parkhouse: Played 27, 3 goals, 6 assists, 1 MoM, Ave: 7.07
Another who excelled in Europe, Janssen is a free kick specialist, who's left wing efforts are seldom parallelled. With Ronaldinho taking some attention away, many expect to see Yuri reach new heights in the season to come. After a £10m move from Chelsea, he struggled to settle last term, but once established out wide, he improved dramatically ending the season in superb form, which he will hope to carry over to the new year.
After serving as an emergency striker for much of last term, Goran earned a new contract with his performances both there and in his more accustomed attacking midfield role. Costing £16.75m when he joined from Lyon in 2009, the Macedonian has 64 league goals to his name at Parkhouse and 82 all told. He will expect to contribute and may well be excited to find himself the second youngest amongst the starting midfielders.
Thanasis LyberopoulosGRE (4 U21 caps) - 20yo
2014/15 league record: Larisa (loan): Played 12, Ave: 6.17
The young winger joined from feeder club Larisa in 2014, and was loaned back for the duration of last season. Despite failing to play very often or very well, his pre-season efforts convinced Magnifico to throw him to the wolves, so to speak, in this, his second professional season. Primarily a left winger, may need to add another string to his bow if he is to stick as a main component.
A phenomenal season for World Player of the Year Nilmar still did not see his underuse at international level resolved. Despite this he just kept scoring for Porto, before sealing a Bosman move to Parkhouse, perhaps as keen to see how he got on up front with Cem as the support. Will be expected to keep scoring all year long.
Sultan CemTUR (44 caps, 31 goals) - 24yo
2014/15 league record: Ayr Parkhouse: Played 35, 26 goals, 4 assists, 5 MoM, Ave: 7.51
A phenomenon in his debut season, and at 24 could be so for years to come. The Parkhouse support were wary when Magnifico sold top scorer Falcao to Liverpool after winning the title in 2013/14, but could not have been happier with this replacement. World Footballer of the Year and winner of the best player award a the 2014 World Cup, Cem could be an all-time great by the time he's through.
Garry O'ConnorSCO (39 caps, 20 goals) - 32yo
2014/15 league record: Gretna: Played 22, 5 goals, 2 assists, Ave: 6.59
O'Connor moved on a Bosman from SPL rivals Gretna, filling a need as backup striker. With Nilmar and Cem unlikely to last a season injury/suspension free it was important to have a legitimate backup option on board. O'Connor is that man.
Nathan JarmanENG - 28yo
2014/15 league record: Arbroath: Played 30, 9 goals, 2 assists, 1 MoM, Ave: 6.73
A thorn in the side of Parkhouse in Arbroath's first season up, signed away on a Bosman primarily to stop him scoring against them. At 28 is not a long term option, but will help by way of rotating in when others need a rest. May also develop into a super-sub, all being well.
Michel MontanoNOR (2 caps) - 20yo
2014/15 league record: Partick Thistle: Played 36, conceded 35, 12 clean sheets, 4 MoM, Ave: 7.08
Michel cost just £1.3m, but if you ask Ayr FC boss Harvey McMillan just what his most important signing of the summer was, he'll direct you to this kid. At just 20 he is already a full international, and he figures to resolve the goalkeeping woes of the year just past. Whilst it is a big ask to expect such a young man to handle the pressure of starting in goal every week at an SPL club, McMillan is confident, and the support are thus far enthused by his early showings.
Stephen Archibald [i}SCO (6 caps) - 25yo
2014/15 league record: Ayr FC: Played 13, conceded 26, 3 clean sheets, Ave: 6.77[/i]
Archibald's inability to supplant a stuttering Craig Gordon at international or club level last term led directly to the signing of Montano. Archibald is on the transfer list, but no move is likely to be sanctioned in advance of the January window, efforts to improve depth having fallen through. Archibald is a product of the Ayr Academy, graduating way back in 2006 and improving year-on-year through until 2013 when he appeared to regress badly. Could doubtless resurrect his career elsewhere, but may need to wait to do so.
Stuart NixonWAL (6 caps) - 21yo
2014/15 league record: Ayr FC: Played 34, 1 goal, 3 assists, 6 MoM, Ave: 7.35
Nixon is the fresh star of the Ayr defence. Signed for £5m from Aberdeen before last season, he swiftly developed 'Wonderkid' status, solidifying the defence and making up for the woefully inadequate goalkeeping. It was what may be described as a breakout season, following two nondescript years at Aberdeen and now he's a target for the Premiership big boys. A success story.
James HillIRL (17 caps, 1 goal) - 22yo
2014/15 league record: Ayr FC: Played 30, 1 assist, 3 MoM, Ave: 7.13
It took almost £10m to persuade East Fife to part with this talented defender, but alongside Nixon he formed the undisputed top defensive pair in the league. Now into year two, and despite the distractions of Premiership interest, he has to skills to strengthen the Ayr defence still further.
Jamie WilliamsIRL (4 U21 caps) - 20yo
2014/15 league record: Dumbarton: Played 10, Ave: 5.50
Quite why McMillan paid £4m for this right back is hard to tell, but his early performances for Ayr seem to vindicate the move, with a 7.33 average and 1 MoM award in his first three outings. Perhaps the manager knows of something we don't! Expected to start at right back whenever fit to do so this term.
Mick TomlinsonSCO - 20yo
2014/15 league record: Saltcoats Vics (loan): Played 30, 2 goals, 7 assists, 1 MoM, Ave: 7.50
An impressive loan spell at Ayr's local feeder club in 2014/15 set Tomlinson up for the most recent pre-season and he took the starting left back job out of the gate, pipping new signing Marcus Williams and ending hopes of a Williams-Williams fullback duo. Having come through Celtic's academy in 2011, Tomlinson moved to Ayr for £1.5m in 2013, but struggled initially. Now set to make an impact at last.
Marcus WilliamsENG - 29yo
2014/15 league record: Stranraer: Played 37, 1 assist, 1 MoM, Ave: 6.68
Two solid, but unspectacular years starting for a successful Stranraer side led Williams to join Ayr under freedom of contract in the summer of 2015. Expected to take the left back job in preseason, he instead lagged behind Tomlinson, coming in second. It is, however, a long season and he will be counted on in crunch times to come, no doubt.
Krystian PearceENG - 25yo
2014/15 league record: Aberdeen: Played 35, 1 goal, 1 assist, Ave: 6.89
A below average defender, Pearce was signed to benefit Nixon. As colleagues at Aberdeen the pair became fast friends, and it was hoped that Pearce's arrival would quell any murmerings on Nixon's part that a move may be beneficial. That seems to have worked out, but will a lack of action for Pearce upset him, and consequently upset his buddy? Time will tell.
Darren ArmstrongWAL (4 caps) - 20yo
2014/15 league record: Ayr FC: Played 6, Ave: 6.83
Another Welsh defensive prodigy, Armstrong has still to make himself indispensible in the system. Clearly third choice ahead of Pearce, however, and likely to have a major part to play over the year. He was used as an emergency striker in an Intertoto Cup game early in the season, forcing an own goal in a home win over Apollon Limassol.
It Isn't Meant To Be This Way 
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