Mark Shanks was a defender who had been with Blackburn Rovers and Motherwell before signing for Ayr United in the summer of 1979.  He scored 3 goals for Ayr in his time and in 1985 he left for Dumbarton.

As a manager he served Queen of the South, Albion Rovers and Kilwinning Rangers before taking the Ayr United job, leading a coaching team comprising Robert Connor, Robert Reilly and Jim Dempsey. His tenure was a short one, lasting only six months, resigning from the club amidst a takeover bid for the club and the resignation of the club Chairman David Capperauld.

After Chris Strain had departed for Irvine Meadow at a vulnerable time for Troon, Mark answered an SOS in a caretaker capacity to help us in our battle against relegation from the Premier Division and our pursuit of the West of Scotland Cup, which we lifted in his reign. He was replaced by his former Ayr United assistant, Jim Dempsey.

PLAYING CAREER