Airdrieonians Football Club is a team that has been at the heart of Airdrie for almost 150 years. With the team recently being promoted to the Scottish Championship, it seems they are back on the path to success. Despite this, the club has had its fair share of challenges and disputes over the years. Nevertheless, the team has kept a loyal and dedicated fanbase who continue to attend the games, win or lose. ?
Formation of the Club
Originally known as the Excelsior Football Club, the team was established in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, in 1878 before their name was changed to Airdrieonians three years later. In 1885, the local cricket club organised a charity football competition, which Airdrieonians won, earning them a reputation for themselves.
The next year, Airdrieonians cemented their name across the country when they handed Glasgow Rangers their worst-ever home loss—a 10-2 loss. In 1894, it was chosen to join the Scottish Football League. The 1920s were the club’s most prosperous years when Hughie Gallacher was signed in 1921 from Queen of the South. For four seasons (1923–1926), Airdrie finished in second place in the Scottish Championship, challenging Rangers’ dominance. Their success in this period perhaps peaked with them winning the Scottish Cup in 1924.
This period also holds some significance for football as a sport, with the first ever penalty kick being awarded at their home ground in 1891.
Liquidation
Airdrieonians FC went into liquidation in May 2002 after going bankrupt with debts of almost £3 million. A “new” club was formed under the name of Airdrie United, who were essentially intended to be a reincarnation of Airdrieonians FC, but it was denied entry to the Scottish Football League. Airdrie United then decided to buy Clydebank FC as they had been in similar financial trouble.
However, this decision received a lot of backlash from Clydebank fans who even attempted to buy the club themselves but were ultimately outbid by Airdrie United. Clydebank FC then had its names changed to Airdrie United FC and was relocated to Airdrie where the team took on the traditional red and white colours of the Airdrieonians and the iconic diamond symbol.
It wasn’t until 2013 that the club could finally change its name back to Airdrieonians FC.
Recent Years?
The team was promoted to Scottish First Division in the 2012/13 season after being relegated only three years prior. This is where the team remained for the next decade until they won the Scottish Championship Play-Offs to be promoted in 2022/23. This brings us up to last season when Airdrieonians FC won the Scottish Challenge cup and also managed to finish fourth in the Scottish Championship. They have also won the newly founded North Lanarkshire Cup (also known as the ‘Broadwood Cup’) in both 2022 and 2023.
About the Author
Lucy Irvine is a Digital Collections Volunteer with the Curatorial Team. She is a sixth year pupil at Airdrie Academy who hopes to study history at university next year. She has an interest in local history, particularly that of Airdrie and other places close by in North Lanarkshire.