Brutal actions leads to Ayr United manager sacking

The United MD has taken on a new role overseeing youth football at the West of Scotland League.

The newly elected chief of youth football in the south west says he is motivated to keep youngsters “developing on and off the field” after being voted into his role.

Graeme Mathie, managing director of Ayr United, is the high profile name stepping in to head up the WSYFL following the decision of long serving duo Lynn and Ronnie McBride to retire this summer. Mathie will be joined on a new-look committee by names such as John Brown, regional manager for the South West at the SFA, who will act as League Advisor.

Mathie will oversee the youth league in his role as chairman, combining it with his day job running operations at Somerset Park.

He told the Ayrshire Post: “Derek King and Alan McAlpine reached out to John Brown and I for support when Lynn and Ronnie announced they were stepping down. We had a few discussions about who may be able to help continue the great work of the WSYFL and John and I felt that we could offer support.

“The Scottish FA have spent time looking at what happens in youth football across the world and are rolling out a flexible game format meaning players of any age can play a variety of game formats which has shown to be beneficial for all aspects of development, and that’s something we’re both keen to see implemented within the league.

“At the recent EGM, there was a new committee established who will take over the league at the AGM in June. Ultimately we’d like to oversee the running of a successful youth league, but we’re also motivated to try some new ideas, festivals and game formats which will help more children and young people stay in the game longer and develop their on and off field skills.

“It’s also important that Ronnie, Lynn and the outgoing committee are congratulated and thanked for their work thus far – so many young people have benefitted from their involvement in the WSYFL and they would not have had the opportunity were it not for their input and ongoing hard work.”