It’s perhaps not surprising that Calvin Ayre, founder of the Bodog brand, has a soft spot for underdogs. (UnderBodogs?) Hence his sponsorship of Ayr United FC, a Scottish First Division club from Calvin’s ancestral home in Ayrshire. The ‘Honest Men’ have gone on something of a tear since Calvin lent his support, having won promotion from Second to First Division in 2011, and most recently defeating Livingston in the fourth round of the Scottish FA Cup to set up a fifth-round match against Falkirk on Feb. 4.
Then there’s the not insignificant feat of upsetting no less than three Scottish Premier League clubs to set up a Scottish Communities League Cup semi-final against local arch-rivals Kilmarnock at Hampden Park on Jan. 28. It’s the first time these two clubs have squared off at this stage, and Calvin is determined that the opportunity not go to waste.
With an aim to strengthen manager Brian Reid’s hand, Calvin has dipped into his own pockets to provide Ayr United with the readies to make a proper run at both Cups. Quoth the man: “I’ve had so much support from the people of Ayr since I took the sponsorship and for the team to have got so far in both Cups is a very unexpected bonus. I would love to see The Honest Men reach the final and am prepared to invest a bit more in the club to see if we can do just that.”
Ayr United Commercial Director Hugh Cameron acknowledged Calvin’s gesture as “fantastic for the fans and the club in general. It’s been a rollercoaster of a season for us so far, but the buzz around the city when the Bodog brand signed up with the club and Calvin came to visit has been electric.” Speaking of electric, check out this little terrace-trembling ditty from Ayr United’s resident crooner, Somerset Boab… Take it away, Boabie…
