EXPERIENCED Ayr United defender Martyn “Bobo” Campbell is relishing the coming season after being given a new one-year contract by Ian McCall last week.

And more good news was delivered on Monday, with midfielder Brian Gilmour agreeing to extend his stay at Somerset Park.

Fans’ favourite Campbell, who is the longest serving player by a long way at Somerset Park, hopes to help the Honest Men make a real challenge for the League One title in 2015-16.

The news of the deal, which is appearance-based comes as Campbell, who has been in two promotion-winning teams, enjoys his testimonial year which got underway with a fun day in the Somerset Park Hospitality Suite last month. The main event will be a pre-season match against opposition to be confirmed at Somerset Park and this should draw a bumper crowd.

Campbell (34), who has been at the club for 10 years is excited about the future and told Sportscene on Friday: “This is a good opportunity for me and it’s good to be given another one year deal. It was a frustrating season as we made such a good start. But our fate was in own hands and you couldn’t ask for much more than that. We had a really strong finish to the season, winning our last two games and we were always hopeful we could go to Forfar and get a result.

“We have some talented young players in the squad, some will hopefully stay on and we will bring in new faces. The manager has said we want to challenge for the title next season so that has to be the aim.” Manager McCall is delighted with news and added: “Bobo has been a great servant and with this new contract I feel it will take the pressure off him. He cares so much about the club and it’s good to have him on board. A fit and strong Martyn Campbell is a top defender at our level. He’s been a great servant for the club and he is happy to give something back by taking this contract.” Gilmour is also excited about next season and said: ”I am delighted to sign the contract, I feel happy here and very settled. Since the manager came in he has been enthusiastic about his plans for next season and I am looking forward to seeing who he brings in. Next season we will be making a title challenge and its exciting to be a part of that.” McCall is encouraged the former Ranger is staying on and said: ”It’s great to get Gilly signed up for next season as he is a talented player. He will be a big part of our plans playing in a role much further forward in midfield from where he has been and that is something he is going to work on.” Defenders Peter Murphy, Nicky Devlin and Adam Blakeman and last season’s club captain Jon Paul McGovern have all been offered contracts and have been given a deadline of this coming Friday, May 15.

Meanwhile the club last Thursday confirmed that striker Craig Beattie, goalkeeper David Hutton and defender David Robertson had all been released.

A statement from Ayr United read: “The club would like to thank all three for their efforts whilst with the club especially David Hutton who has played every minute of every match for the last two seasons and wish them all the best for the future.” Meanwhile season tickets are now on sale in the club shop and online. Prices will remain identical to last season and the early bird offer begins now and ends on Friday, July 3, at 4pm.