Fifteen years ago, they stood on the sidelines as coaches of the football team in which their boys played.
Now David Smith and Fraser MacIntyre have realised their dream to lead Ayr United together from the front.
The lifelong Honest Men are officially number one and two in command at Somerset after MacIntyre this week became the club’s new vice chairman.
It’s another significant piece in the infrastructure jigsaw, which sees MacIntyre take up a shareholding previously belonging to Lachlan Cameron.
The former owner has been praised for his part in not only making the deal happen – but ensuring there is a club for Smith and MacIntyre to lead.
Now the duo and the rest of their Somerset board members are looking to strike on and continue the rapid off the park progress.
MacIntyre, 49, who becomes United's second largest shareholder, told the Ayrshire Post: “It’s something that’s been on my mind for a while.
“I’ve been acting on the board for the last 18 months and this was an opportunity that came up which I’ve grabbed with both hands.
“I firmly believe in what we’re doing at the football club and where we’re trying to take it.
“Together, it puts both myself and Davie in a very good position moving forward.”
MacIntyre has snapped up the majority of shares retained by Cameron at the time he sold the club two years ago.
He said: “It’s thanks to Lachlan that the club has survived in previous years during his tenure.
“Had it not been for him, the club may not have been here at all and it’s important to recognise that.
“It may not have been in a position for anyone else to try and take it forward as we are now.
“He has been great in the dealings to get this done.”
Current chairman Smith, who is overseeing a revolution of the club in its off-field infrastructure, insists the latest piece of the puzzle is another important step.
And it marks the culmination of a long held ambition for he and MacIntyre, who were volunteer youth coaches when their boys played together in the same Prestwick team.
MacIntyre added: “We discovered we were both huge Ayr fans at the first dad’s night out we had.
“We’d have chats about what we’ve love to do for the club but it was one of those things where we said...‘one day’.
“We never thought it would come round this quick.
“However, we are both so passionate about this as our hometown club and want to make things progress as quickly as we can.
“There is no doubt that the right person in the whole county is in charge of the club right now in the shape of Davie.
“Elsewhere, we are putting the right pieces of the jigsaw in place to take the club to where it needs to be and it’s hugely exciting.”
Smith, 51, has been hailed for the turnaround in the club’s off-field fortunes since officially taking the helm as owner.
Progress on the pitch has also been rapid, with Ayr sitting top of the Championship following the appointment of Lee Bullen almost 12 months ago.
Smith said: “The difference in two years here is frightening.
“You go back to then and we were sat in portakabins and the non-footballing operations were being run by three people.
“I honestly don’t know how they managed to juggle so many things and do that.
“Me having a second in command in the shape of Fraser is vital.
“We don’t agree on everything but that’s important. It’s all about healthy debate.
“Lachlan was great in getting the deal done and made everything seamless.
“I know from our discussions that he sees the club is in the right hands moving forward.”
Smith added: “We’re in such a good place because the board dynamic as a whole is really good at the moment.
“Graeme Mathie is a visionary who has come in with bags of enthusiasm and is really helping to drive things on.
“We’ve also got the great experience of Willie (Houston) and Alan (Murray) who’ve been here for many years and we are all complementing each other.
“It is very positive for the future and we will keep pushing on.”
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
