Ayrshire derby
Encyclopedia
The Ayrshire Derby is a derby match between the two senior Scottish football sides based in Ayrshire
: Ayr United
and Kilmarnock
.
The first match was held on 14 September 1910, in the same year that Ayr United were formed. This game was the final of the Ayrshire League in the 1909-10 season, and finished in a 4-4 draw. Ayr United were the first of the clubs to record a win the following season. The five most recent meetings took place in national cup competitions because Kilmarnock have played in a higher division than Ayr since 1993. Up until 1998, both clubs competed in a local cup competition, the Ayrshire Cup
, which also involved local junior sides.
The current record for Ayrshire derby games stands at 254 wins for Kilmarnock and 176 for Ayr United.
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In January 2009, the two clubs met for the first time in over seven years. They were drawn together in the Scottish Cup
at Somerset Park
. The game finished 2-2, with Kilmarnock twice taking the lead and Ayr United equalising twice, with the final goal of the game scored by substitute Ayr striker Alex Williams in injury time. Ayr keeper Stephen Grindlay
also saved a penalty kick from Kilmarnock's Alan Russell. In the replay at Rugby Park
, Ayr United took the lead with a goal from Bryan Prunty, which television replays confirmed had involved the use of his hand. However, Kilmarnock won the tie 3-1 with goals from Simon Ford (twice) and Moroccan Medhi Taouil. This was Kilmarnock's first victory in the derby in a senior competition for seventeen years.
The previous meeting was a Scottish League Cup
tie in October 2001. Ayr United had midfielder Paul Sheerin
sent off early in the second half, playing the rest of the 90 minutes and extra time with ten men. However, no goals were scored in open play, and Ayr United won 5-4, with Chris Innes
of Kilmarnock missing the vital spot-kick. Previously, Ayr United scored 3-0 and 2-0 wins in the Scottish Cup in 1998-99 and 1997–98, the latter bringing to an end Kilmarnock's reign as the cup holders. In the 1998-99 match Andy Walker scored two penalties, the second of them being chipped over the Kilmarnock goalkeeper Gordon Marshall
.
and Ayr in the First
or Second Division
s. By contrast, in the late 1970s Ayr United played in the then-top tier of Scottish league football with Kilmarnock in the division below.
, Glasgow
in what is sure to be the biggest ever Ayrshire derby. This will also be the first time both sides have met in the Semi-Final stage of a national cup competition.
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
: Ayr United
Ayr United F.C.
Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C...
and Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
.
The first match was held on 14 September 1910, in the same year that Ayr United were formed. This game was the final of the Ayrshire League in the 1909-10 season, and finished in a 4-4 draw. Ayr United were the first of the clubs to record a win the following season. The five most recent meetings took place in national cup competitions because Kilmarnock have played in a higher division than Ayr since 1993. Up until 1998, both clubs competed in a local cup competition, the Ayrshire Cup
Ayrshire Cup
The Ayrshire Cup is an annual Scottish association football regional competition. The cup competition is a knockout tournament between football clubs in the historic county of Ayrshire in south-west Scotland and has led to a rivalry between the two largest and most successful football clubs in...
, which also involved local junior sides.
The current record for Ayrshire derby games stands at 254 wins for Kilmarnock and 176 for Ayr United.
Recent matches
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In January 2009, the two clubs met for the first time in over seven years. They were drawn together in the Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
at Somerset Park
Somerset Park
Somerset Park is a football stadium located in Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland.It has been the home of Ayr United since they were founded in 1910. Prior to that, it was the home ground of Ayr F.C.. It currently has a capacity of 10,185 of which 1,597 is seated, making it one of the largest capacity...
. The game finished 2-2, with Kilmarnock twice taking the lead and Ayr United equalising twice, with the final goal of the game scored by substitute Ayr striker Alex Williams in injury time. Ayr keeper Stephen Grindlay
Stephen Grindlay
Stephen Grindlay is a Scottish professional footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Dumbarton.-Early career:...
also saved a penalty kick from Kilmarnock's Alan Russell. In the replay at Rugby Park
Rugby Park
Rugby Park is a football stadium situated in the Scottish town of Kilmarnock. It was first used in 1899 and is the home of Kilmarnock F.C..It underwent a major redevelopment in 1994–95, becoming an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 18,128...
, Ayr United took the lead with a goal from Bryan Prunty, which television replays confirmed had involved the use of his hand. However, Kilmarnock won the tie 3-1 with goals from Simon Ford (twice) and Moroccan Medhi Taouil. This was Kilmarnock's first victory in the derby in a senior competition for seventeen years.
The previous meeting was a Scottish League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
tie in October 2001. Ayr United had midfielder Paul Sheerin
Paul Sheerin
Paul George Sheerin is a Scottish professional football player and manager. He is currently performing both of those roles at Arbroath.-Alloa Athletic:...
sent off early in the second half, playing the rest of the 90 minutes and extra time with ten men. However, no goals were scored in open play, and Ayr United won 5-4, with Chris Innes
Chris Innes
Chris Innes is a Scottish footballer who is currently a free agent.-Career:Broxburn-born Innes started his professional career at Stenhousemuir after joining the Warriors from Blackburn United and moved to Kilmarnock for £50,000 in 1998. In 1999, he went out on loan twice, to St. Mirren for 3...
of Kilmarnock missing the vital spot-kick. Previously, Ayr United scored 3-0 and 2-0 wins in the Scottish Cup in 1998-99 and 1997–98, the latter bringing to an end Kilmarnock's reign as the cup holders. In the 1998-99 match Andy Walker scored two penalties, the second of them being chipped over the Kilmarnock goalkeeper Gordon Marshall
Gordon Marshall (footballer born 1964)
Gordon Marshall is a former Scottish professional football goalkeeper. He is currently goalkeeping coach at Motherwell.-Career:...
.
Leagues
The last league meeting between the sides was on 20 March 1993 at Rugby Park, finishing in a 1-1 draw. Since then, Kilmarnock have played in the Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
and Ayr in the First
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
or Second Division
Scottish Football League Second Division
The Scottish Football League Second Division is the second highest division of the Scottish Football League and the third highest overall in the Scottish football league system....
s. By contrast, in the late 1970s Ayr United played in the then-top tier of Scottish league football with Kilmarnock in the division below.
Ayrshire Cup
The two clubs have both won this local competition on many occasions, but the last time it was contested was in 1998, when Kilmarnock won 2-0 at Somerset Park. The trophy has been won by Kilmarnock on 42 occasions and by Ayr United on 27.Other matches
Between 2003 and 2005, a series of annual one-off friendly matches were held in October, sponsored by a local commercial radio station and named the West Sound Trophy. Kilmarnock won the first match at Rugby Park 1-0; the following year at Somerset Park Ayr United won on penalties, having earlier been 2-0 behind; and in the final match Kilmarnock won 4-0 at home.2011-12 League Cup Semi-Final
On January 29/30, both teams will meet each other in the 2011-12 Scottish League Cup Semi-Finals at Hampden ParkHampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
in what is sure to be the biggest ever Ayrshire derby. This will also be the first time both sides have met in the Semi-Final stage of a national cup competition.