Duncan Carmichael to launch latest Ayr United book

In 'This Ayr United Thing - More Iliad than Illyria', club historian Duncan Carmichael reflects on the curious consequences that supporting a local football club will have.

Fifty-five years of writing programme notes have done nothing to diminish Duncan’s enthusiasms: practicing stoicism, patience, emotional control in times of stress, perfect knowledge of transport timetables, motorway toilets and recommended fish-and-chip shops.

Generations of Carmichaels have found their lives rearranged by fixtures and foul weather.

(Image: Contributed) In his latest book, Duncan blends family reminiscences with reports of battles won and lost on a journey featuring glorious defeats and routine victories, but as yet no happiness at the still-elusive end.

Duncan’s databases and archives of epic proportions are the accurate grounding for a fascinating review of one club’s mesmeric hold on a typical Saturday foot-soldier.

Duncan Carmichael is the author of 15 books on Ayr United. With his wife Carol, son David, and daughter Jill, he has spent a lot of money on the fruitless search for a football equivalent of Shakespearean happiness.

Duncan will launch his book at Ayr Waterstones on Saturday, September 20 from 11am to 1pm.