Airdrie United
Formed 2002
Replaced Clydebank in Scottish Division Two 2002
Kit History
2002-2003 d
2003-2004 c d
2004-2006 a d
2006-2007 b d
2007-2008 b d
2008-2009 b
Background
The 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.
Sources
- (a) London Hearts
- (b) Airdrie United Official Site
- (c) Classic Kits
- (d) SNS Pix