Historical Football Kits

 

Airdrie United

Formed 2002

Replaced Clydebank in Scottish Division Two 2002

Kit History

 

airdrie united 2002-03

2002-2003 d

airdrie united 2003

2003-2004 c d

Prostar
airdrie united 2004

2004-2006 a d

Diadora
airdrie united 2006

2006-2007 b d

Diadora
airdrie united 2007

2007-2008 b d

Surridge
airdrie united 2008-09 home kit

2008-2009 b

 

Background

airdrie unitedThe admittance of Airdrie United to the Scottish League was an episode that generated considerable controversy and acrimony. In May 2002 Airdrieonians (formed 1878) became bankrupt with debts of £3 million despite having finished as runners up in Scottish Division One and resigned from the SFL. This left a vacancy in Division Three which was filled by Gretna who were preferred to the newly created Airdrie United, formed by a local consortium led by Jim Ballantyne. It appeared that the town of Airdrie would be without a senior side until Ballantyne, completed a buy-out of Clydebank FC, who were homeless, in administration and in urgent need of a buyer. With the approval of the Scottish Football League the Clydeside club relocated to Airdrie and became Airdrie United, taking over Clydebank's place in Division Two. Thus league football was preserved in the town but only at the expense of another club, an event without precedent in the UK.

The new team inherited Airdrieonians distinctive playing strip and moved into the New Broomfield stadium (officially the Excelsior Stadium), the cost of which had contributed to the collapse of the Airdrieonians club. The name of Clydebank was ceded to the United Clydebank Supporters (UCS) who formed a new club who would play at junior level.

In 2003-04 United reached the final of the Bell's Scottish Cup and won their divisional championship to earn a place in Scottish Division One. They lost their status in 2009 when they were beaten in the play-off final by Ayr United who took their place in the First Division.