Friends and family in Ayr are mourning Derek Ireland, the lifelong Ayr United supporter known to those close to him as “Oilly”, after his death at the age of 60.
Derek was a well-known face in the Lochside area of Ayr. He was a loving father to Lisa and Ciaran and was close to his siblings Lorna, Barry and Robert.
A fundraiser was organised in his memory by his good friend Raymond Hall, who had gone to Ayr United matches with Derek when they were younger. The appeal raised £1,900, helping to pay for Derek’s funeral and supporting his family at a difficult time.
Ayr United connection that began in Lochside
Raymond said he and Derek first knew each other from school, before their shared childhood in Lochside and support for Ayr United brought them closer. The pair travelled to home and away matches together during the 1980s and 1990s as part of the Ayr Service Crew.
“Derek was a couple of years above me at school. I knew him then but not well. We both grew up in Lochside and were Ayr United supporters, so we got together through that.”
Although Raymond later moved to London, he said the friendship continued through Facebook and other forms of contact. He also recalled many fond memories from terraces at Somerset Park and football grounds elsewhere.
The group travelled to matches on supporters’ buses and trains with friends Danny Robson and Barry Kyle. They also ran their own buses from the Labour Club, creating a lasting connection among Ayr supporters.
‘He was just so full of life’
Raymond said Derek continued attending matches until the end of his life, going with his father Paddy and his brother Rab. Recent away games also provided opportunities for former friends to meet again.
“Oilly was a very well-known guy and was going to games right until the end with his dad Paddy and brother Rab.”
Among the memories shared by Raymond was a trip to the 2012 League Cup semi-final against Kilmarnock, which he described as a reunion for members of the group who had supported Ayr together in earlier years.
The fundraiser initially aimed to collect £1,000. That target was reached within its first 12 hours, before the total eventually rose to £1,900.
“Funerals are expensive and we just wanted to help the family in any way we could.”
Raymond said the turnout at Derek’s funeral had been fantastic and remembered his friend as someone who was full of life and always ready for fun.
“We set an initial target of £1,000 and we hit that in the first 12 hours, so to get to £1,900 was amazing.”
The tribute highlights Derek’s lifelong links with Lochside, Ayr United and the supporters who shared years of journeys, matches and friendships with him.
