View source for Airdrieonians F.C. (1878)

{{Short description|Former association football club in Scotland}}
{{For|the current club|Airdrieonians F.C.}}
{{pp-move}}
{{more citations needed|date=July 2011}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox football club
|clubname  = Airdrieonians
|image     = File:Airdrieoniansnewlogo.png
|fullname  = Airdrieonians Football Club
|nickname  = The Diamonds<br/>The Waysiders
|founded   = 1878 ''as Excelsior F.C.''
|dissolved = 2002
|ground    = [[Excelsior Stadium]]<br/>[[Airdrie, North Lanarkshire|Airdrie]], Lanarkshire
|capacity  = 10,171
|league    = [[Scottish Football League First Division|Scottish First Division]]
|season    = 2001–02
|position  = Scottish First Division, 2nd
|pattern_la1 = _redborder
|pattern_b1  = _Vonwhite
|pattern_ra1 = _redborder
|pattern_so1 = _color_3_stripes_red
|leftarm1    = FFFFFF
|body1       = FF0000
|rightarm1   = FFFFFF
|shorts1     = FFFFFF
|socks1      = FFFFFF
|pattern_la2 = _whiteborder
|pattern_b2  = _whiteV
|pattern_ra2 = _whiteborder
|pattern_so2 = _color_3_stripes_white
|leftarm2    = FF0000
|body2       = FF0000
|rightarm2   = FF0000
|shorts2     = FF0000
|socks2      = FF0000
|}}

'''Airdrieonians Football Club''', more commonly known as '''Airdrie''', was a Scottish professional [[association football|football]] team from the town of [[Airdrie, North Lanarkshire|Airdrie]], in the [[Monklands (district)|Monklands]] area of [[Lanarkshire]].

The club became defunct at the end of the [[Scottish Football League]] 2001–02 season, despite the team finishing as [[runner-up|runners-up]] in the [[Scottish Football League|SFL]] [[Scottish Football League First Division|First Division]] to [[Partick Thistle F.C.|Partick Thistle]] and therefore only narrowly missing out on promotion to the [[Scottish Premier League]].

During their 124-year existence the "Diamonds", as they were nicknamed, won the old [[Scottish Division Two]] three times, the [[Spring Cup]] once and the [[Scottish Challenge Cup]] on three occasions. The club also competed in four separate [[Scottish Cup]] finals; winning the competition in 1924.

Airdrieonians were the first club in the [[Scottish Football League|Scottish League]] to fold since 1967, when [[Third Lanark A.C.|Third Lanark]] went bankrupt.

==History==

===Formation and early years===
The team was founded in [[Airdrie, North Lanarkshire|Airdrie]], North Lanarkshire in 1878 as '''Excelsior Football Club''', changing its name to Airdrieonians in 1881. It was elected to the [[Scottish Football League]] in [[1894–95 in Scottish football|1894]].<ref name = "Crampsey29">{{harvnb|Crampsey|1990|p=29}}</ref>

The club enjoyed its most successful era in the 1920s, following the signing of [[Hughie Gallacher]] from [[Queen of the South F.C.|Queen of the South]] in 1921. Airdrie challenged the dominance of [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]],<ref name = "Crampsey71"/> as they finished in second place in the Scottish League championship for four consecutive seasons (1923 - 1926). They won the [[1924 Scottish Cup Final]] beating Hibernian 2–0. [[Bob McPhail]] said, "The terror-like attitude of Gallacher caused havoc with the Hibs defenders. He and Russell were easily our best forwards". [[Willie Russell]] scored both goals.<ref name = "qos">{{Cite web |url=http://qosfc.com/content-legendsView.aspx?playerid=1039 |title=Hughie Gallacher on Queens Legends, www.qosfc.com |access-date=19 April 2017 |archive-date=7 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107112245/http://qosfc.com/content-legendsView.aspx?playerid=1039 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following this victory, in early summer 1925, the club visited Norway and Sweden, and made a big impression. Translations of local newspaper reports, and some photographs of the tour, are still available.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.angelfire.com/space/airdrie/ |title="Airdrieonians in Norway/Sweden 1925" |access-date=21 February 2007 |archive-date=4 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060504040137/http://www.angelfire.com/space/airdrie/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This successful era came to an end after Gallacher in December 1925 and McPhail in 1927 were sold to [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] and Rangers respectively.<ref name = "Crampsey71">{{harvnb|Crampsey|1990|p=71}}</ref>

===Post war era and beyond===

Airdrie spent much of the post war era "[[yo-yo club|yo-yoing]]" between the top flight and [[Scottish Football League Second Division|Second Division]]. Airdrie entered the first [[Texaco Cup]] competition in [[1970–71 in Scottish football|1970–71]],<ref name = "Crampsey183">{{harvnb|Crampsey|1990|p=183}}</ref> defeating [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] in the first round.<ref name = "Crampsey184"/> That tie was decided by a [[penalty shootout (association football)|penalty shootout]] and Airdrie became the first Scottish club to be involved in that method of deciding a contest.<ref name = "Crampsey184">{{harvnb|Crampsey|1990|p=184}}</ref> Airdrie reached the Texaco Cup Final in [[1971–72 in Scottish football|1972]], losing 2–1 on aggregate to [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]]. They also reached the [[1975 Scottish Cup Final]], losing 3–1 to [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]]. After the leagues were restructured in 1975, a competition called the [[Spring Cup]] was instituted for the teams in the lower divisions.<ref name = "Crampsey197">{{harvnb|Crampsey|1990|p=197}}</ref> Airdrie won this competition in [[1975–76 in Scottish football|1976]], but it was discontinued after one season as clubs preferred to play additional league games instead.<ref name = "Crampsey197"/>

===Alex MacDonald era===
[[Image:Airdriecelticcupfinal.jpg|thumb|left|245px|Airdrieonians compete in the [[1995 Scottish Cup Final]].]]
During the 1990s, with [[Alex MacDonald (footballer born 1948)|Alex MacDonald]] at the helm, Airdrie worked their way into the [[Scottish Premier Division|Premier Division]] in the [[1991–92 in Scottish football|1991–92]] and [[1992–93 in Scottish football|1992–93]] seasons, were regularly considered challengers for promotion and recognised as one of the bigger clubs in [[Scottish Football League First Division|First Division]].

MacDonald also guided the Diamonds to two [[Scottish Cup Final]]s. The first appearance coming on 9 May 1992 when the club faced [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] in front of 44,045 strong crowd at [[Hampden Park]]. Unfortunately for Airdrie on this occasion however, a goal each from [[Mark Hateley]] and [[Ally McCoist]] earned the blue half of [[Glasgow]] a 2–1 victory.

Although Airdrie lost in the [[1992 Scottish Cup Final]] they had already qualified for the [[1992–93 European Cup Winners' Cup]], as [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] had also won the [[list of Scottish football champions|Scottish league championship]] in [[1991–92 in Scottish football|1992]]. Airdrie were drawn against Czech side [[Sparta Prague]] in the first round. Airdrie lost 1–0 at Broomfield and 2–1 in Prague, losing 3–1 on aggregate. [[Kenny Black]], who later went on to become manager of [[Airdrie United F.C.|Airdrie United]], scored the only Airdrie goal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12587338.Airdrie_pay_the_penalty/|title=Airdrie pay the penalty|work=The Herald|date=1 October 1992|access-date=14 August 2017}}</ref>

Airdrie also reached the [[1995 Scottish Cup Final]], where they faced the other half of the [[Old Firm]], [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]]. Airdrie would once again fall at the final hurdle, as they lost 1–0 to a [[Pierre van Hooijdonk]] goal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/celtics-compensation-1621393.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103223553/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/celtics-compensation-1621393.html |archive-date=2014-01-03 |url-access=limited |url-status=live
|title=Celtic's compensation|work=[[The Independent]]|date=27 May 1995|access-date=14 August 2017}}</ref> Airdrie also won the [[Scottish Challenge Cup]] in [[1994–95 in Scottish football|1994–95]].

===Stadium problems===

Airdrie sold their Broomfield home to Safeway in 1994, but had to groundshare with [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]] at Broadwood Stadium for four years until the [[Excelsior Stadium]] was opened. It is arguably this stadium re-location and the difficulties generated by it that was Airdrie's first step towards oblivion. The mismanagement of the entire situation by the club's board, as well as [[North Lanarkshire]] Council's lengthy delay in granting planning permission caused Airdrieonians financial situation to reach critical level. This was not helped by the low attendances at [[Excelsior Stadium]] following the completion of the move, which was connected to the quality of football on display due to the lack of funds available to be spent on the team.

The demise of Airdrieonians was personified by the sudden and unexpected death of Joey Rowan, the club's sole remaining director. Rowan had a long and intimate association with the club and was son-in-law and advisor to Airdrieonians long term benefactor Jack Dalziel (recognised by having the main stand named after him). Rowan, already a popular figure with the club's supporters due to his passion, candour and trademark ponytail, gained even more respect by remaining with Airdrieonians and incurring substantial personal losses whilst trying to steer the club away from liquidation despite the fact that the rest of the board had resigned amid finger-pointing and acrimony in an attempt to avoid reproach and financial liabilities.<ref>[https://www.thefreelibrary.com/THE+FINAL+SAY+...%3B+Joey+Rowan%27s+heart+failed+him+but+he+failed+no+one.-a060884369 THE FINAL SAY ...; Joey Rowan's heart failed him but he failed no one]. ''Daily Record'' (21 February 2000). Retrieved 2024-06-09.</ref> He is considered the club's last great hero for his selfless sacrifice and unyielding loyalty.

===Liquidation===
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:Archibald2.jpg|thumb|left|[[Steve Archibald]]]] -->
In February 2000, [[KPMG]] were appointed as provisional liquidators of Airdrieonians.<ref name = "liquidator">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/628268.stm|title=Hope remains for struggling Airdrie |work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=2 February 2000|access-date=16 June 2012}}</ref> This move came soon after [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] chairman [[David Murray (Scottish businessman)|David Murray]] had applied for a court order to seize some of Airdrie's revenue in lieu of funds owed to another of his companies.<ref name = "liquidator"/> KPMG and the board hoped more private investment would be made in the club.<ref name = "liquidator"/> Most of the playing staff were made redundant at the end of the [[1999–2000 in Scottish football|1999–2000]] season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/790960.stm|title=Sacked Airdrie players to appeal|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=16 June 2000|access-date=16 June 2012|archive-date=16 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816023655/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/790960.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Steve Archibald]] put forth a bid for the club and during the [[2000–01 in Scottish football|2000–01]] season he brought in many foreign players, including [[David Fernández Miramontes|David Fernández]], [[Jesús García Sanjuán|Jesus Sanjuán]], [[Antonio Calderón]] and [[Javier Sánchez Broto]], that became popular with the fans<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/scottish/airdrie-owners-spanish-colony-701002.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305020626/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/scottish/airdrie-owners-spanish-colony-701002.html |archive-date=2016-03-05 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title=Airdrie owner's Spanish colony |first=Phil|last=Gordon|work=Independent on Sunday|date=3 September 2000|access-date=16 June 2012}}</ref> and won the [[Scottish Challenge Cup]] in 2000. [[KPMG]] terminated their management deal with Archibald in February 2001,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/feb/22/newsstory.sport3|title=Postponement gives Airdrie time|work=The Guardian|date=22 February 2001|access-date=16 June 2012|archive-date=9 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509225044/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/feb/22/newsstory.sport3|url-status=live}}</ref> stating that Archibald had not kept up to date with payment of fees.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/airdrieonians/1172507.stm|title=Airdrie closest yet to closure|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=16 February 2001|access-date=16 June 2012}}</ref> After difficulty fulfilling their fixtures, Airdrie narrowly avoided relegation to the [[Scottish Football League Second Division|Second Division]].

Despite the obvious financial problems, [[Ian McCall (footballer)|Ian McCall]] managed to build a new Airdrie team and retained the Scottish Challenge Cup.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/1598965.stm|title=Airdrie retain Challenge Cup|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=14 October 2001|access-date=17 June 2012|archive-date=7 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307080754/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/scotland/1598965.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The club also performed well in the [[2001–02 Scottish First Division]] and chased promotion to the [[Scottish Premier League]]. A run of only two victories in the last 14 games, however, meant that [[Partick Thistle F.C.|Partick Thistle]] won the First Division and the promotion place. The final match played by Airdrieonians was an away game against [[Ayr United F.C.|Ayr United]] at [[Somerset Park]] on 27 April.<ref name = "match stopped"/> The match was abandoned by the referee after a crossbar was broken during a pitch invasion by Airdrie fans, who were protesting against the Ayr United owner Bill Barr.<ref name = "match stopped"/> His [[Barr Construction]] company had built the [[Excelsior Stadium]] and became one of the major creditors of Airdrie.<ref name = "match stopped">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/airdrieonians/1955075.stm|title=Airdrie match stopped by invasion|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=27 April 2002|access-date=17 June 2012|archive-date=8 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208182305/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/airdrieonians/1955075.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

After Airdrieonians went out of business on 1 May 2002, local accountant [[Jim Ballantyne]] attempted to gain entry to the [[Scottish Football League]] (SFL) with a team named [[Airdrie United F.C.|Airdrie United]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/2048687.stm|title=Airdrie may edge out Gretna|first=Clive|last=Lindsay|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=17 June 2002|access-date=17 June 2012|archive-date=15 March 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040315123528/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/2048687.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> His bid for league status was rejected, however, in favour of the application by [[Gretna F.C.|Gretna]], who were then playing in the English [[Northern Premier League]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jun/18/newsstory.sport3|title=Gretna beat Airdrie United to Scottish League place|work=The Guardian|publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited|date=18 June 2002|access-date=17 June 2012|archive-date=9 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909150330/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jun/18/newsstory.sport3|url-status=live}}</ref> Ballantyne then opted to buy control of [[Clydebank F.C.|Clydebank]], another SFL club experiencing extreme financial hardship.<ref name = "clydebank">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/2069736.stm|title=Airdrie United given green light|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=1 July 2002|access-date=17 June 2012|archive-date=7 March 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040307221124/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/2069736.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> With approval by the SFL, their name was changed to Airdrie United, the team relocated to Airdrie and the strip was altered to the famous diamond style of Airdrieonians.<ref name = "clydebank"/> A ''[[Airdrieonians F.C.#Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]]'' was established by the new club to honour noted players of the previous entity (some of whom also played for the new club), with more entrants added each year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airdriefc.com/hall-of-fame|title=Hall of Fame|publisher=Airdrieonians FC|access-date=19 July 2019|archive-date=2 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502064632/https://www.airdriefc.com/hall-of-fame|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2013, the SFA allowed [[Airdrie United F.C.|Airdrie United]] to change their name to Airdrieonians.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.acadvertiser.co.uk/coatbridge-airdrie-sport/2013/06/03/airdrieonians-name-revived-after-sfa-approval-65864-33421801/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130624222136/http://www.acadvertiser.co.uk/coatbridge-airdrie-sport/2013/06/03/airdrieonians-name-revived-after-sfa-approval-65864-33421801/|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 June 2013|title=Airdrieonians name revived after SFA approval|first=Colin|last=Paterson|publisher=Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser|date=3 June 2013|access-date=3 June 2013}}</ref>

==Stadium==
[[Image:broomfieldparkairdrie.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Broomfield Park]]]]
[[Image:Excelsior Stadium.png|thumb|250px|Front Entrance to [[Excelsior Stadium]]]]
For most of its history, Airdrieonians played at [[Broomfield Park]], which was opened in 1892.<ref name = "Inglis427">{{harvnb|Inglis|1996|p=427}}</ref> The ground was located in a hollow in [[Airdrie, North Lanarkshire|Airdrie]] town centre.<ref name = "Inglis427"/> The Broomfield pitch was very narrow, at just 67 yards wide.<ref name = "Inglis427"/> These physical features and the proximity of the stands to the pitch meant that Broomfield had a raucous atmosphere, which visiting clubs disliked.<ref name = "Inglis427"/> Broomfield was known for its distinctive corner pavilion, which was built in 1907.<ref name = "Inglis427"/> After winning the [[1923–24 Scottish Cup]], the club built a main stand, adjacent to the pavilion.<ref name = "Inglis427"/>

The final game at Broomfield took place in May 1994 after which the ground, having been sold to supermarket chain [[Safeway (UK)|Safeway]], was demolished to make room for their new store.<ref name = "Inglis427"/> The club planned to make use of the funds generated from the sale to build a new all-seated stadium, but had difficulties acquiring planning permission.<ref name = "Inglis427"/> Airdrie went on to groundshare with [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]] at [[Broadwood Stadium]] in [[Cumbernauld]]<ref name = "Inglis427"/> for four seasons with the club eventually moving into its new home, the [[Excelsior Stadium|Shyberry Excelsior Stadium]], in time for the [[1998–99 in Scottish football|1998–99]] season. Airdrieonians played their home games there until they were liquidated in 2002.

==The last Airdrieonians team==

'''2001–02 Squad'''
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player |nat=ENG|name=[[Neil Bennett (footballer, born 1980)|Neil Bennett]]|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player |nat=SCO|name=[[Allan Ferguson]]|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player |nat=IRL|name=[[Paul Armstrong (Irish footballer)|Paul Armstrong]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player |nat=SCO|name=[[Kevin James (Scottish footballer)|Kevin James]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player |nat=SCO|name=[[Allan McManus]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player |nat=SCO|name=[[Craig McPherson]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player |nat=SCO|name=[[Joseph McAlpine]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player |nat=SCO|name=[[Stuart MacDonald]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player |nat=SCO|name=[[Sandy Stewart (Scottish footballer)|Sandy Stewart]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player |nat=SCO|name=[[Tony Smith (footballer born 1973)|Tony Smith]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player |nat=ENG|name=[[Darren Beesley]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player |nat=SCO|name=[[Stephen Docherty]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player |nat=SCO|name=[[Lee Gardner (footballer)|Lee Gardner]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player |nat=SCO|name=[[Neil MacFarlane (footballer)|Neil MacFarlane]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player |nat=SCO|name=[[Stuart Taylor (footballer born 1974)|Stuart Taylor]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player |nat=IRL|name=[[Owen Coyle]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player |nat=SCO|name=[[Robert Dunn (Scottish footballer)|Robert Dunn]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player |nat=SCO|name=[[Colin McDonald (Scottish footballer)|Colin McDonald]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player |nat=SCO|name=[[Stephen McKeown]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player |nat=SCO|name=[[Mark Roberts (Scotland)|Mark Roberts]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player |nat=SCO|name=[[Paul Ronald]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player |nat=FRA|name=[[Jérôme Vareille]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs end}}

==Honours and records==

===Honours===

*'''[[List of Scottish football champions|Scottish Football League]]'''
**'''Runners up (4):''' [[1922–23 Scottish Division One|1922–23]], [[1923–24 Scottish Division One|1923–24]], [[1924–25 Scottish Division One|1924–25]], [[1925–26 Scottish Division One|1925–26]]
*'''[[Scottish Football League First Division]]''':<ref name="2nd division">Known as second division prior to 1975</ref>
**'''Winners (3):''' [[1902–03 Scottish Division Two|1902–03]], [[1954–55 Scottish Division Two|1954–55]], [[1973–74 Scottish Division Two|1973–74]]
**'''Runners up (9):''' [[1900–01 Scottish Division Two|1900–01]], [[1946–47 Scottish Division Two|1946–47]], [[1949–50 Scottish Division Two|1949–50]], [[1965–66 Scottish Division Two|1965–66]], [[1979–80 Scottish First Division|1979–80]], [[1989–90 Scottish First Division|1989–90]], [[1990–91 Scottish First Division|1990–91]], [[1996–97 Scottish First Division|1996–97]], [[2001–02 Scottish First Division|2001–02]]
*'''[[Scottish Cup]]:'''
**'''Winners (1):''' [[1923–24 Scottish Cup|1923–24]]
**'''Runners up (3):''' [[1975 Scottish Cup Final|1974–75]], [[1992 Scottish Cup Final|1991–92]], [[1995 Scottish Cup Final|1994–95]]
*'''[[Scottish Challenge Cup]]:'''
**'''Winners (3):''' [[1994–95 Scottish Challenge Cup|1994–95]], [[2000–01 Scottish Challenge Cup|2000–01]], [[2001–02 Scottish Challenge Cup|2001–02]]
*'''[[Lanarkshire Cup]]:'''
**'''Winners (32):''' 1885–86, 1886–87, 1887–88, 1890–91, 1891–92, 1896–97, 1897–98, 1902–03, 1903–04, 1908–09, 1910–11, 1912–13, 1913–14, 1914–15, 1917–18, 1918–19, 1921–22, 1922–23, 1924–25, 1930–31, 1934–35, 1937–38, 1962–63, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1975–76, 1979–80, 1983–84, 1987–88, 1995–96
*'''[[Spring Cup]]:'''
**'''Winners (1):''' 1976

===General club records===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Record Type
! Record
! Additional information
|-
| '''Most Capped Player '''
| [[Jimmy Crapnell]], ''9 ''
| for [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]]
|-
| '''Most League Points in a Season '''
| 60
| in [[Scottish Football League Division Two|Scottish Division Two]]&nbsp;– 1973–74 ''<small>(2 points per win)</small>''
|-
| 
| 61
| in [[Scottish Football League First Division|Scottish First Division]]&nbsp;– 1994–95 ''<small>(3 points per win)</small>''
|-
| '''Most League Goals by a Player in a Season '''
| Hughie Baird, ''53 ''
| in 1954–55 Season
|-
| '''Record Attendance '''
| 24,000
| -v- [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]] on 8 March 1952 at [[Broomfield Park]]
|-
|
| 8,762
| -v- [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] on 19 August 1998 at Shyberry [[Excelsior Stadium]]
|-
| '''Record Victory '''
| 15–1
| -v- Dundee Wanderers F.C. in [[Scottish Division Two]] on 1 December 1894
|-
| '''Record Defeat '''
| 1–11
| -v- [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]] in [[Scottish Football League First Division|Scottish First Division]] on 24 October 1959
|-
| '''Record Appearances '''
| [[John Martin (footballer born 1958)|John Martin]], ''755 ''
| between 1980 and 1999
|-
|}

===League record===
'''The Diamonds Twelve Year League Record'''

[[Image:Airdrieoniansleague record.PNG]]

Red = [[Scottish Football League Premier Division]] (before [[Scottish Premier League]])

Yellow = [[Scottish Football League First Division]]

===Top league goalscorers===
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Player
! Goals Scored
|-
| 2001–02
| [[Owen Coyle]]
| 23
|-
| 2000–01
| [[David Fernández Miramontes|David Fernández]]
| 7
|-
| 1999–00
| [[Niall Thompson (soccer, born 1974)|Niall Thompson]] & [[Alex Neil (footballer)|Alex Neil]]
| 5
|-
| 1998–99
| [[Steve Cooper (footballer, born 1964)|Steve Cooper]]
| 8
|-
| 1997–98
| [[Brian McPhee]]
| 12
|-
| 1996–97
| [[Steve Cooper (footballer, born 1964)|Steve Cooper]], [[Paddy Connolly]] & [[Brian McPhee]]
| 8
|-
| 1995–96
| [[Jim McIntyre (footballer)|Jim McIntyre]]
| 9
|-
| 1994–95
| [[Andy Smith (Scottish footballer)|Andy Smith]]
| 12
|-
| 1993–94
| [[Davie Kirkwood]]
| 10
|-
| 1992–93
| [[Owen Coyle]]
| 9
|-
| 1991–92
| [[Owen Coyle]]
| 11
|-
| 1990–91
| [[Owen Coyle]]
| 20
|-
| 1989–90
| [[Owen Coyle]]
| 10
|-
| 1988–89
| Kenneth Macdonald
| 22
|-
| 1987–88
| David McCabe
| 20
|-
| 1986–87
| David McCabe
| 13
|-
| 1985–86
| [[John Flood (footballer born 1960)|John Flood]]
| 11
|-
| 1984–85
| David McCabe
| 21
|-
| 1983–84
| [[John Flood (footballer born 1960)|John Flood]]
| 11
|-
| 1982–83
| Blair Millar
| 12
|-
| 1981–82
| [[Sandy Clark]]
| 15
|-
| 1980–81
| [[Sandy Clark]]
| 10
|-
| 1979–80
| [[Sandy Clark]]
| 22
|-
| 1978–79
| [[Sandy Clark]]
| 23
|-
| 1977–78
| [[Joe Cairney]]
| 22
|-
| 1976–77
| [[Derek Whiteford]]
| 15
|-
| 1975–76
| [[Derek Whiteford]]
| 8
|}

===European record===
Airdrieonians qualified for a UEFA club competition on one occasion. In 1992, Airdrieonians reached [[1992 Scottish Cup Final|the final of the Scottish Cup]] and were beaten by [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]]. The winner of the [[Scottish Cup]] would normally qualify for the [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]], but because Rangers had already qualified for the [[UEFA Champions League]] through their league ranking in the [[Scottish Premier Division]], the place was passed to Airdrie as runners-up. Airdrie were eliminated in the [[1992–93 European Cup Winners' Cup#First round|first round]] by [[AC Sparta Prague|Sparta Prague]] of Czechoslovakia in a [[two-legged tie]].
{|class="wikitable"
! Season
! Competition
! Round
! Opponent
! Home
! Away
! Aggregate
|-
|[[1992–93 European Cup Winners' Cup|1992–93]]
|[[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]]
|First round
|{{flagicon|TCH}} [[AC Sparta Prague|Sparta Prague]]
|align="centr"|0–1
|align="centr"|1–2
|align="centr"|1–3
|-
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

; Sources
*{{cite book| last=Crampsey | first=Bob | title=The First 100 Years | publisher=Scottish Football League | year=1990 | isbn=0-9516433-0-4}}
*{{cite book| first = Simon  | last = Inglis  | title = Football Grounds of Britain  | year = 1996  | publisher = Collins Willow  | isbn = 0-00-218426-5  }}

==External links==
* [http://www.fitbastats.com/airdrieonians1878/index.php Results and statistics] at ''Fitbastats''

{{Airdrieonians F.C. (1878)}}
{{Scottish Football League}}
{{Defunct Scottish football clubs}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Airdrieonians F.C. (1878)| ]]
[[Category:Defunct football clubs in Scotland]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1878]]
[[Category:1878 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:Association football clubs disestablished in 2002]]
[[Category:2002 disestablishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:Football in North Lanarkshire]]
[[Category:Scottish Football League teams]]
[[Category:Scottish Cup winners]]
[[Category:Scottish Challenge Cup winners]]
[[Category:Companies that have entered administration in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Airdrie, North Lanarkshire]]