A MAN who left Ayr with his parents in 1948 for a new life in Sydney Australia will return to his hometown some 70 years later.

Ian McAndrew, lived in the family home in Northfield Avenue opposite Ayr Northfield Bowling Club.

His father, John, was a senior aircraft inspector with Scottish Aviation Limited (SAL) at Prestwick.

Ian spent his Ayr school days at Newton Park HG School in West Sanquhar Road – a road he also walked along on many a Saturday en route to Somerset Park for an Ayr United home fixture.

But on June, 16 1948, Ian , then aged 11, left Newton-On-Ayr station for London’s Tilbury Docks with father John, mother Norah and sister Doreen to start their new life in Sydney Australia.

In Australia, Ian continued his love for football and, through to his late 20s, he played competitively. In 1965, following a successful career as a qualified accountant, Ian was appointed Secretary General of the Australian Football Association (then Australian Soccer Federation).

Not long after, Ian arranged for Scotland to tour Australia in 1967 for three International matches followed a month later with a visit by then FA English League Champions, Manchester United for seven friendly fixtures.

Ian subsequently returned to the commercial business world and spent many successful years, until his retirement, nationally and internationally in the tourism and marine industries.

From Thursday, July 12 to Saturday, July 14  Ian, who is now 81-years-old, will return to Ayr for the first time in 70 years.

He is travelling to Scotland and visiting Ayr with his wife Trish for a short nostalgic visit.

Ian, who also has family still in Scotland, is keenly looking forward to his return to Ayr and to taking visits down many memory lanes.