Historical Football Kits

 

Airdrie United

Formed 2002

Replaced Clydebank in Scottish Division Two 2002

Kit History

 

2002-2004 c

2004-2005 a

2006-2007 b

2007-2008 b

 

Background

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

The new club 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.

Sources