The Airdrie Pheonix Rises

The Airdrie United story nearly didn’t begin when a consortium suffered a 16 - 11 vote against them in the fight for league membership to replace Airdrieonians who had gone bust in May 2002. Gretna had won that battle for the vacant division three slot. A few weeks later, however, the League Management Committee backed Airdrie United's proposed buy-out of cash strapped second division club Clydebank. Amazingly they were allowed to take Clydebank’s second division place in the 2002/03 season.

League position kept the two United’s of Ayr and Airdrie apart until they did finally find themselves as league buddies in Division Two in season 2007/08. The two clubs met for the first time at New Broomfield Park on 6th October 2007 where the clubs served up an uninspired 0-0 draw in front of 1,269 people. Airdrie United’s first ever visit to Somerset Park was on 27th February 2008 when another draw - this time 1-1 was recorded in front of 1,104. 

Only 737 fans turned up to see Ayr United break this run of draws and record their first ever win against Airdrie United on 19th March 2008. Goals from Paul McLeod and Ryan Stevenston gave the Honest Men a 2-0 win.