| Full name | Airdrie United Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Diamonds | ||
| Founded | 2002 | ||
| Ground | New Broomfield Airdrie Scotland (Capacity: 10,172) |
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| Chairman | Jim Ballantyne | ||
| Manager | Jimmy Boyle | ||
| League | Scottish Second Division | ||
| Website | Club home page | ||
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| Current season | |||
Airdrie United Football Club are a Scottish professional football team based in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. They are currently managed by ex-Airdrieonians player and former Airdrie United Under 19s coach Jimmy Boyle. They are members of the Scottish Football League and play in the Scottish Second Division. Club Chairman Jim Ballantyne also serves as president of The Scottish Football League and sits on the board of The Scottish Football Association.
Airdrie United have won two trophies in their short history – the Scottish Second Division in 2003–04 and the ALBA Challenge Cup in 2008–09.
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Airdrie United were formed in 2002, following the bankruptcy of Airdrieonians.[1]
Airdrieonians had finished runners-up in the Scottish First Division in the 2001–02 season[2] but went out of business with debts approaching £3 million.[3] The collapse of "The Diamonds", as they were known due to their distinctive kits,[4] created a vacancy in the Scottish Football League (in the Scottish Third Division). Accountant and Airdrieonians fan Jim Ballantyne attempted, with the help of others, to gain entry with a club called "Airdrie United" who were essentially to be a reincarnation of Airdrieonians.[5] Their application however was rejected as the then English Northern Premier League side Gretna were preferred by league members over the new Airdrie United.[6]
Ballantyne went on to complete a buy-out of the ailing Second Division side Clydebank[7] and with SFL approval the club was relocated to Airdrie,[8] the strips were transformed to resemble that of Airdrieonians, and the name was changed to Airdrie United. While this means that the club is therefore officially a continuation of Clydebank it is almost universally accepted as a reincarnation of Airdrieonians, with Clydebank having been reformed by supporters groups and entering into the Scottish Junior League.
Managed by Sandy Stewart, Airdrie United's first match took place at New Broomfield against Forfar Athletic in August 2002, with captain Stephen Docherty scoring the only goal of the game as Airdrie won 1–0. This first season in existence saw the club only narrowly fail to achieve promotion due to a late injury-time goal from Brechin City which saw them promoted instead. Airdrie beat Premier League outfit Kilmarnock in that season's CIS Insurance Cup on penalties at Rugby Park.
In the 2003–04 season, they won the Second Division Championship and gained promotion to the First Division. The side had started poorly but went on a run that saw them unbeaten in the last 18 games of the season. The final game of this run and of the league campaign saw a crowd of over 5,700 at New Broomfield to watch Airdrie defeat Morton 2–0 and lift the League Championship trophy, the club having been confirmed champions the previous week following their 1–0 victory away to Alloa Athletic at Recreation Park. In the same season, Airdrie reached the final of the Challenge Cup, but lost 2–0 to Inverness Caledonian Thistle at McDiarmid Park. Seasons 2004–05 and 2005–06 in the First Division saw the club finish 5th and 6th respectively.
In May 2006 player Kevin Barkey had a verbally-agreed contract offer withdrawn when supporters found what were alleged to be "pro-IRA" pictures on an internet dating profile he had made[9], and manager Sandy Stewart was sacked in November after over 4 years in charge. Stewart was replaced by former Airdrieonians player and Airdrie United coach Kenny Black, his first management post,[10] and under Black Airdrie finished the 2006–07 season 9th in the league, consigning them to the Scottish First Division play-offs. After beating Brechin City in the semi-final by an aggregate 6–1, Airdrie lost the final against Stirling Albion 5–4 on aggregate, relegating the club for the first time in their short history.
In 2007–08 season Airdrie finished behind Second Division winners Ross County, entering them into the play-offs where they beat Raith Rovers 4–2 on aggregate in the semi-finals, before losing to Clyde 3–0 on aggregate. The enforced relegation of Gretna to the Third Division, following their being put into administration, caused a restructuring of the leagues, with Airdrie being promoted to the First Division by virtue of being the losing play-off finalists.
The 2008–09 season saw the club overcome Hearts before exiting to Dundee Utd. in the 3rd round of the Co-operative Insurance Cup, and the Alba Challenge Cup final win over Ross County ended in a 3–2 penalty shoot out victory after a 2–2 draw. After this success much speculation surrounded manager Kenny Black, with him signing a long term contract (until 2012) following media reports linking him with Dundee. Escaping automatic league relegation but again finding themselves in a series of play-off games, Airdrie beat Peterhead 4–1 on aggregate, then met Second Division runners up Ayr United in the 2 legged final – following a 2–2 draw away, Airdrie lost the return game 1–0, and this defeat sealed the club to a 2nd relegation and 3rd successive play-off final loss. With much pressure from the fans on manager Kenny Black, chairman Jim Ballantyne announced the club would remain full-time with Black at the helm. However, the Diamonds were given a reprieve as the continued uncertainty over the future of Livingston meant that the West Lothian club were relegated to the Third division, so Airdrie were re-instated to the First by virtue of losing play-off finalists, giving the club a 2nd lifeline in just 2 years after the previous demise of Gretna.
The 2009–10 season saw Airdrie reach the 4th round of the Scottish Cup, but lost to Raith Rovers at home in the replay. More disappointment was to follow when, despite overturning an 11-point deficit to reach the Second Division relegation play-offs, they lost 3–1 on aggregate to Brechin City in the semi-finals. It was the 3rd successive season that Airdrie lost in the play-off stage, but unlike the previous 2 years there was to be no reprieve. And, as part of big financial cutbacks, all players were released by the club in May, whilst at the beginning of June it was announced the club would be operating on a part time basis. Later that month manager Kenny Black was relieved of his duties, with Jimmy Boyle appointed interim manager. Although Black and the club initially failed to reach agreement over compensation due to him for the remaining 2 years left on his contract, an agreement was reached when the media announced in July that Black was to become an assistant coach with the Scotland national team.
Season 2010–11 saw Jimmy Boyle appointed manager on a permanent basis in September, with the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser claiming that the contract was to run until the end of season 2011–2012. After a 1st round Co-operative Insurance Cup 1–0 away victory over 3rd Division Lanarkshire derby rivals Albion Rovers , Airdrie progressed to the 2nd round to meet Kilmarnock, but were beaten 6–2 at Rugby Park, and so exited the competition. The club's decision to focus on developing youth was vindicated in January 2011, as Celtic signed teenager Tony Watt for a sum of £80,000 plus add-ons. Airdrie overcame Beith Juniors 4–3 in a January Scottish Cup 3rd round replay in Ayrshire (after a 2–2 draw at home in November), but after another 2–2 draw v Morton in the 4th round at Cappielow, Airdrie lost the replay 5–2, and so gave up their place in the competition for another year. The league campaign ended with the club finishing 6th.
Airdrie began the new Season 2011–12 with mixed results:- they exited to Livingston in the 1st round of The Ramsdens Challenge Cup, however they defeated Stirling Albion 5-0 in round 1 of the The Scottish Communities League Cup and Raith Rovers 2-0 in round 2. The club were then drawn with Dundee United of the SPL in the 3rd round, but lost the match 2-0.
The first ever league game between the newly formed Airdrie United and local rivals Albion Rovers took place at New Broomfield on 10 September, with Airdrie winning 4-0. In November 2011 the club revised 2 records:- a new record loss (7-2 to Albion Rovers), and 2 weeks later a new record win (11-0 v Gala Fairydean). This latter result surpassed the old record of 11 March 2006 v Dundee (7-0), and booked the club's place in the 4th round of the Scottish Cup to play Dundee Utd.
Airdrie United play their home fixtures at Excelsior Stadium, unofficially known as New Broomfield.[11] The ground was built when now defunct Airdrieonians' previous home, Broomfield Park, was sold to supermarket chain Safeway, who were given permission to build a new store on the site.[12] This transaction has been cited as being the cause of the financial ruination of the club, as their old ground was demolished several years before they acquired planning permission for the new stadium. In the intervening years the club ground-shared Broadwood Stadium, in Cumbernauld, the home of Clyde.
The ground is owned by Broomfield Stadium Ltd, previously Excelsior Stadium Ltd,[13] who rent the stadium to Airdrie.[14]
It has an all-seated capacity of 10,171[15] and at the end of the 2009–10 season, a new 3G artificial surface was installed.[16]
In 2003 a ground share was proposed with Falkirk as their ground did not meet SPL requirements,[17] this was later refused as Falkirk could not prove the SPL fixtures would have priority.[18] Queen of the South played their Uefa Cup tie in 2008[19] at the ground as did Motherwell in 2009.[20]
Airdrie United inherited Airdrieonians distinctive playing colours of a white shirt with a red diamond. The design is the basis of Airdrieonians' nickname, The Diamonds, which has also been adopted by Airdrie United.
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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| Record type | Record | Additional information |
|---|---|---|
| Most league points in a season | 70 | in Second Division 2002–03 |
| Most league goals by a player in season | 19, Allan Russell | in Second Division 2007–08 |
| Record total league appearances | ||
| Record total league goals | 34, Stephen McKeown | |
| Record attendance | 5,924 | v Motherwell on 6 January 2007 in Scottish Cup 3rd round at New Broomfield |
| Record win | 11–0 | v Gala Fairydean on 19 November 2011 in Scottish Cup 3rd Round |
| Record loss | 2–7 | v Albion Rovers on 5 November 2011 in Second Division |
2011–2012 Div. 2: 4th - as at 3 January 2012.
10–11 Div. 2: 6th
09–10 Div. 1: 9th – Relegated to Div. 2 after defeat in play-offs.
08–09 Div. 1: 9th – Defeated in play-offs but maintained Div. 1 status due to the demotion of Livingston.
07–08 Div. 2: 2nd – Defeated in play-offs but secured promotion to Div. 1 due to the demise of Gretna.
06–07 Div. 1: 9th – Relegated to Div. 2 after defeat in play-offs.
05–06 Div. 1: 6th
04–05 Div. 1: 5th
03–04 Div. 2: 1st – Promoted to Div. 1 as Champions.
02–03 Div. 2: 3rd
HL – Highest league attendance (p – play off), HSC – Highest Scottish Cup attendance
2011–2012 Div. 2: HL 1490 (v Albion Rovers, 2 January 2012) - Average 880, HSC 732 (v Gala Fairydean, 19 November 2011) - as at January 2012.
10–11 Div. 2: HL 1127 (V Ayr Utd., 14 August 2010) – Average 789, HSC 1412 (v Beith Juniors 20 October 2010)
09–10 Div. 1: HL 1864 (v Dunfermline Athletic, 1 May 2010) – Average 1085
08–09 Div. 1: HLp 3303 (v Ayr Utd., 24 May 2009) – Average 1437
07–08 Div. 2: HLp 2077 (v Raith Rovers, 3 May 2008) – Average 1081, HSC 3258 (v Kilmarnock, 28 January 2008)
06–07 Div. 1: HLp 3465 (v Stirling Albion, 12 May 2007) – Average 1351, HSC 5924 (v Motherwell, 6 January 2007)
05–06 Div. 1: HL 2661 (v St. Mirren, 14 January 2006) – Average 1349, HSC 3557 (v Dundee, February 2006)
04–05 Div. 1: HL 3245 (v Falkirk, 30 October 2004) – Average 1923
03–04 Div. 2: HL 5709 (v Morton, 15 May 2004) – Average 1862
02–03 Div. 2: HL 2285 (v Forfar Athletic, 3 August 2002) – Average 1439
2011–12 Div. 2: Ryan Donnelly - 17 - as at 3 January 2012.
10–11 Div. 2: Scott Gemmill – 9
09–10 Div. 1: John Baird – 11
08–09 Div. 1: Simon Lynch – 10
07–08 Div. 2: Allan Russell – 19
06–07 Div. 1: Gary Twigg – 10
05–06 Div. 1: Bryan Prunty – 15
04–05 Div. 1: Owen Coyle – 14
03–04 Div. 2: Owen Coyle – 13
02–03 Div. 2: Jerome Vareille – 18
| Season | Senior Player of the Year | Young Player of the Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010–11 | Ryan McCord | Jamie Bain |
| 2008–09 | Stephen Robertson | Bobby Donnelly |
| 2007–08 | Allan Russell | Kevin Watt |
| 2006–07 | Neil McGowan | Stephen McKenna |
| 2005–06 | Bryan Prunty | Steven McDougall |
| 2004–05 | Marvyn Wilson | Stephen McKenna |
| 2003–04 | David Dunn | Willie McLaren |
| 2002–03 | Jérôme Vareille | Stephen McKeown |
| Season | Inductee |
|---|---|
| 2008–09 | Evan Balfour, Jackie Keenan |
| 2007–08 | Jimmy Sandison, Stephen McKeown, John Lapsley, Jimmy Crapnell |
| 2006–07 | Stephen Docherty, Paul Jack, Jimmy Reid |
| 2005–06 | Alex MacDonald, Willie McCulloch, Jimmy Conner |
| 2004–05 | Brian McKeown, Lawrie Leslie |
| 2003–04 | Steve Cooper, Billy Wilson |
| 2002–03 | Antonio Calderón, Alan Lawrence, Jimmy Welch |
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