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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Stuart Wilson

Ayr United striker Michael Moffat ready to inspire next generation of Somerset goal heroes

Michael Moffat has vowed to help Ayr United's next generation hit the goal trail - after the club legend extended his Somerset stay.

Moff, 37, will take on a "hybrid role" helping to coach Ayr's young strikers while focusing on sports science with the first team squad.

And he insists taking on the role of father of figure is one he's relishing as United look to progress under Lee Bullen.

Moffat told the Ayrshire Post: "I had a very open discussion with the manager and he was honest enough to say that my chances of playing would be limited moving forward.

"That's why we started moving down this road towards the end of last season and I was taking a lot more to do with the off field stuff.

"It's always a difficult transition as a player, but I think having those few months at the back end of last season will really help in that regard.

"I'm really keen to get stuck in and help the boys develop, especially the younger ones, and hopefully I can play an important role."

Moffat, who runs his own personal training business, will be retained on a playing contract for first team emergencies, with his outings now likely to come in reserve team fixtures.

He added: "Myself and the other lads who aren't playing regularly will be keeping our sharpness up in those games and they'll be a very important tool for the manager to use.

"I'll get involved in a bit of coaching with the reserves and also help with the sports science side of things, which everyone knows is a big interest of mine.

"The young lads we have coming through look really promising and if I can play my part in helping them, then great.

"A lad like Fraser Bryden has had a lot said and written about him, but he has that natural instinct that you cannot teach most boys.

"He is keen to learn and always asks the right questions as well...so hopefully I can really help the likes of him and young Max Guthrie who is also coming up through the ranks."

And the legendary striker, who entered the pantheon of United greats when hitting 100 goals in the black and white, admits he enters his tenth year at the club more enthused about its future than ever.

He said: "I've been lucky enough to enjoy some really good times here down the years.

"And I'd definitely say that, off the park, this is as good as it's ever been during my time.

"The challenge for us now is to transfer that on the park, because there's no point in doing everything right elsewhere if we're still fighting at the bottom of the league.

"But we're putting the right people in place to get the building blocks we need and the vibe is that everything is going in the right direction."

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