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Billy Ayre
The future
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September 2000 - Ayre is demoted to head coach after Alan Cork is appointed no.2 to Bobby Gould. "Billy's role at the club couldn't be more important," Bobby Gould tells the Echo.

October 2000 - Ayre applies for and gets the assistant coach's job at Cardiff City. "This is merely a change of title," says Sam Hamman, "Billy's importance to the club push for promotion has not been affected."

November 2000 - In a backroom reshuffle, Ayre is promoted to assistant to the assistant head coach (reserve team) at Ninian Park. "I see this as a sideways move. I can't stress highly enough my regard for Billy Ayre." writes Bobby Gould in his programme notes.

December 2000 - After a string of poor reserve team results Billy is given coaching responsibilites for the Youth team. He drives them to a game at Swansea. "Billy is such a loyal servant to the club." Bobby Gould says in a memo to Sam Hamman.

Jan 2001 - Ayre installed as chief boot polisher at Ninian Park. "Christ! Are you still here?" Hamman says to Ayre during an impromptu meeting in the lavatories.
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