ˈɛɹ ˈɛntɚd ðə skˈɑːɾɪʃ fˈʊtbɔːl lˈiːɡ ɪn wˈʌn θˈaʊzənd ˈeɪthˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti sˈɛvən, bˌʌt fˈeɪld tə sˈɪɹiəsli tʃˈælɪndʒ fɔːɹ pɹəmˈoʊʃən tə ðə fˈɜːst dᵻvˈɪʒən.
Ayr entered the Scottish Football League in 1897, but failed to seriously challenge for promotion to the First Division.