By Honest Talk
January 12 2004

Ayr United have signed 23 year old striker Graeme Brown from Cowdenbeath for a fee which is reported to be in the region of £5,000. Ayr United have signed 23 year old striker Graeme Brown from Cowdenbeath for a fee which is reported to be in the region of £5,000.

Cowdenbeath chairman Gordon McDougall had the following to say after United swooped:

"Everyone at Central Park will be sad to see Graeme go but we would never deny him the chance of playing at a higher level and I wish him and Ayr United every success."

"Of course we also had to take into consideration the fact that Graeme would leave us for nothing in three months time, but this move suited Graeme and at the same time gave us the finance to buy an exciting young prospect in Dene Shields and secure him on a lengthy contract."

Manager Keith Wright added:

"I would like to thank Graeme for everything he has done for this club during his seven seasons at Central Park. It is just a pity he didn't get a chance to say farewell to our fans on Saturday but Ayr understandably didn't want to delay the move and risk their new signing."

Broonie, who is widely regarded as a legend by the Cowden support after scoring 62 goals from 235 appearances, signed from Broomhall Saints six years ago and made an immediate impact, scoring for the youth, reserve and first teams all in the same week.

The young striker is cup-tied and therefore unavailable for Saturday's game against Falkirk, but is expected to make his debut in Inverness next weekend.

Graeme will join Mick Dunlop and David Craig as part-time members of the United playing staff, and leads a busy lifestyle as a post-grad law student and bass guitarist for Edinburgh group Mydas (visit their website at www.mydas.org) !!