After 23 years, he has seen and done it all at Somerset Park.
But the man known as ‘Steely’ admits the time is now right to return to life on the terracing.
An Honest Man since before he could walk, popular Graham Steel has become one of Ayr United’s best loved characters of the last two decades.
Latterly serving as kitman to a range of managers from Brian Reid onwards, Steely departs Somerset this week with a lifetime of memories.
From promotion parties to the pain of relegation, few have the inside stories to tell like Steel, who first arrived at Ayr as security manager in the Bill Barr era.
The former pub and club doorman admits the last 23 years have been a blur while enjoying his “dream job”.
But following a mini stroke two years ago, his head has overruled his heart and told him to pack up his kit one last time.
Graham, 51, told the Ayrshire Post: “I definitely go with mixed emotions.
“It’s been an amazing 23 years filled with so many great memories.
“My dad was a season ticket holder in the late 60s and I came to Somerset from the age of two or three.
“I remember the wee Black and White shop over on the north terracing and still have my very first black and white scarf.
“My dad would buy me a pin badge at every home game – so this has been a dream job for me.”
Steel insists he hasn’t looked back since being thrown the kit baton by Reid – a job that has seen him immersed in some of Ayr’s greatest dressing rooms of recent times.
He revealed: “Being a part of the squad and sitting in the dugout is just a fantastic experience – especially for someone like me.
“It didn’t always end well on matchdays but it was always great to be part of it.
“Down the years I’ve been lucky to work with some great managers and players... the Dean Keenan and Ryan Stevenson era was a real highlight for me.
“Stevo in particular was fantastic to be around, he would tell great stories about his time at Chelsea as youngster.
“Memories like that are great for me to take away.”
Steely added: “But being at a football club is all about ups and downs and of course there were some bad times along the way.
“My saddest day was when we were relegated at Morton – watching Deano sitting on the park crying was so hard.
“As a fan you maybe don’t see certain things but when you’re in and around it every day it’s different.
“The undoubted high was winning the league under Ian McCall.
“The suspense of that day and waiting on the other result to come through was great.
“I had the players saying to me...Steely how will we know?
“I just pointed to the Somerset Road End and said don’t worry, they’ll let you know, and that’s exactly how it happened.
“The promotion up at Brechin was also special but for different reasons.
“I’ll never forget when Moff scored and about 40 fans jumped on top of him.
“I remember thinking...oh no they’ve killed Moff!”
Steely insists that even though he’s taking a step back, he will not be a stranger from his spiritual home.
And he said: “The fact there been so many great times down the years is what made the decision to leave so hard.
“But the time is right for me and my health.”
“If it wasn’t for that I’d probably be here until I had to be forced out.
“The body is telling me to slow down but the heart is telling me different.
“But i’ll still be here every home game and as many away games as I can.”
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