Airdrieonians F.C.

Formation as Airdrie United

The club was formed in 2002 as Airdrie United, following the bankruptcy of the original Airdrieonians. Airdrieonians had finished runners-up in the Scottish First Division in the 2001–02 season but went out of business with debts approaching £3 million. The collapse of "The Diamonds", as they were known due to their distinctive kits, 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. Their application however was rejected as the then English Northern Premier League side Gretna were preferred by league members over the new Airdrie United. Airdrie United then went on to complete a buy-out of the ailing Second Division side Clydebank and with SFL approval the club was relocated to Airdrie, 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 legal continuation of Clydebank, it is almost universally accepted as a reincarnation of Airdrieonians, with a new version of Clydebank being reformed by supporters' groups and entering into the West Region Junior League.

Early years: league title with Sandy Stewart (2002–2006)

Managed by Sandy Stewart, Airdrie United's first match took place at New Broomfield…

Honours

Scottish Championship Play-off Final Winners: 2022–23, 2024–25 Scottish League Second Division Winners: 2003–04 Runners up: 2007–08 Scottish Challenge Cup Winners: 2008–09, 2023–24 Runners up: 2003–04

Minor Trophies

North Lanarkshire Cup Winners: 2022, 2023 Meldrum Cup Winners: 2015

Records

International players

Only includes caps won while playing for Airdrieonians.

18 players were selected for Scotland while playing for the original Airdrieonians, collecting 47 caps in total.

On 18 May 2024 the club announced that the player of the year award would be renamed the Ian McMillan player of the year award after his passing earlier that year.

Player of the Year

Hall of Fame

A Hall of Fame was established by the new club in 2002 to honour noted players of the previous entity (some of whom also played for the new club), with more entrants added each year.