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The 2008-09 was the 112th season of competitive football in Scotland and Ayr United’s 94th competitive season and 98th season in the Ayr United’s history.
It saw Ayr promoted back to the First Division after winning the play-offs at the end of the season and be remembered for the character of the team to fight against adversity and of the leadership of their manager.
Good results came in August and despite a home draw with Brechin, United still kept top spot into mid- September from Peterhead in second.
Tradionally October is a bad month for Ayr and this season was no exception with a disappointing Ayr recording only two wins in six matches putting them in third place by the beginning of November, but still only three points behind Brechin City and Raith Rovers.
Ayr striker Bryan Prunty notched up a hat trick and his 12th goal of the season in a 3-0 win at Hampden Park ensured that Ayr maintained that pressure on the leaders. Over the next few weeks United built on their improving performances and were only 1 point behind the leaders.
The Scottish Cup provided Ayr with a break from the hectic league campaign again although a tie against Kilmarnock is never something that can be taken lightly. The Cup had acquired the Homecoming label to mark the celebrations for the 250th anniversary since Robert Burns' birth. It was inevitable, therefore that not only would there be an Ayrshire Derby in the competition.
The 4th round tie saw Ayr’s best laid schemes go awry with Kilmarnock scoring their first competitive goal against Ayr in four previous cup outings. A draw provided a reply and despite an early Prunty goal which put Ayr ahead in the replay at Rugby Park, Killie’s Premier League quality came through as they eventually won by 3-1.Good results in the league prevailed and led to promotion and an end to their five year wait to re-enter the First Division.
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