The family tree of one of Ayr’s footballing heroes has been revealed in a series of books by author and genealogist Derek Niven.

The heritage of Ally Macleod is told in ‘Pride of the Jocks’. Following a managerial career at United, almost 50 years ago he was named as the town’s ‘citizen of the year’.

West of Scotland author Derek told the Advertiser: “The idea for this series of books honouring the achievements of famous footballing legends, and the ancestors who made them, came from my passion for footballing history and through my work as a genealogist.

“What became fascinating in the research for the books was just how interesting the stories of the players’ ancestors revealed themselves through tales of migration, poverty and two world wars.”

In ‘Pride of the Jocks’, Derek tells how Glasgow-born Ally Macleod, who jokingly described himself “as a very good manager, apart from a few days in Argentina”, moved to live in French Street, Clydebank in the mid-1930s.

Ayr Advertiser: Pride of the Jocks

Ally was the son of William Macleod and Jane Smith, and William worked as a sewing machine manufacturer’s clerk at the nearby Singer’s factory.

On the nights of 13 and 14 March 1941, French Street was very badly bombed during the Clydebank Blitz. The Macleod family evacuated to Mount Florida, near Cathkin Park, and the young Ally made his debut for Third Lanark in 1949.

MacLeod started his managerial career in 1966 at Ayr United.

He took Ayr back to Scotland’s top division, taking them to a Scottish Cup and League Cup semi-final and also set their attendance record with 25,225 watching a 2-1 success over Rangers.

In 1973, he was named Ayr’s ‘citizen of the year’.

To read more about the above fascinating histories Pride of the Hearts and Pride of the Jocks are available on Amazon.co.uk in paperback for £9.99 and also on eBook from £0.99.