TITLE-chasing Ayr United are coining it in with attendances at Somerset Park going through the roof.

Ian McCall's men are enjoying one of the best periods in their recent history and at the time of writing were in second spot in the Ladbrokes Championship, hot on on the heels of leaders Ross County.

Last season they won the League One title, clinching promotion to Scottish football's second tier.

Home attendances this season have soared by 54.7 per cent to 22,104 and the highest crowd this season was 3,240 for the opening game of the season. The away support has also been sizeable.

Ayr United Commercial Manager Graeme Miller, a lifelong fan of the club, is hugely excited by the progress of the team but admits fans are an integral part of their success.

He said: "The average home crowds are up from about 1000 a couple of seasons ago to 2000 now. We are also helping other clubs because we have as big a travelling support as I can remember and took 700 fans to Dumfries just a few days after Christmas - that was amazing. The crowds are so good because I think a lot of the players are seen as heroes and they really enjoy watching them. The fans are vital to the club and we really appreciate their support.

"There hasn't been as exciting a time at the club since we had players like Andy Walker and Glynn Hurst in the 1990s but the guys we have in the team now are as good if not better than then."

Miller is hoping the season will ultimately have a fairytale ending with United winning the title.

He added: "It's an enjoyable season and still would be if I didn't work at the club as I'm a fan. I know the manager plays down talk of winning the title but we can all dream and it would be great if we could achieve that."