Biography
Ayr United moved quickly to appoint Brian as their new manager to succeed Neil Watt after his sudden departure. The defender was a man of many clubs having been at Rangers, (where he spent five years), Dunfermline, Falkirk Morton, Queen of the South, Burnley and Blackpool.
37-year-old Brian Reid had what the club describe as a “brief and successful” spell as caretaker manager at Ayr in season 2005/2006 when, along with fellow player Mark McGeown, he took temporary charge of the first team while the club searched for a new manager. His first job was to stabilize the club and avoid relegation in 2007/08, as seems to have been the first task a number of the managers immediately preceding him.
He strengthened the squad for a successful promotion challenge in season 2008/09, bringing the club into the 1st Division for the centenary season of 2009/10. Unfortunately, United were not able to remain there and were relegated at the end of that season. Nevertheless, the failing was not laid at the managers' door and he remained in charge to attempt to steer the Honest Men to promotion which he did successfully at the end of season 2010/11 via the new play off system. However once again, despite some good wins and some clear improvement the club were again relegated, also via the play off system.
The club was keen to retain the managers services but Brian himself decided that it was time for a new challenged and left the club.
