A REAL FAMILY AFFAYR

Honest day's work for Mitch and son Shaw

- ALAN ROBERTSON

HE kept his head down among the Honest Men to watch another Mitchell make his case as an Ayr No.1 while he was out to stymie their seniors.

But David Mitchell is now relieved he didn't simply keep himself to himself when the mental strain cued thoughts of retiring - and United could now see a father and son shot-stopping duo as a result.

The 35-year-old checked in to Somerset Park two months ago after three seasons of trying to get the better of them as a member of Partick Thistle's goalkeepers' union. In fact, he was still trying to do so during last season's playoffs while son Shaw, 9, was on trial at Ayr having decided to follow his father in pulling on a pair of gloves.

And yet, rewind a few years and Mitchell was ready to retire, revealing last summer Back Onside “saved my career”, along with close pal Jon Connolly who'd told him to pick up the phone to the mental health charity.