Little Success at Airdrie

Although the clubs first met in a Scottish Cup 2nd round match at Somerset park on 8th February 1913, Ayr United's first visit to Broomfield Park, the home of Airdrieonians Football Club was on 7th March 1914. The clubs were on first division football duty and a score of 1-1 was recorded. Ayr's survival in that seasons league campaign meant a second visit the following season. This match, on 7th April 1915, saw Ayr's first victory at Broomfiled with a 2-1 scoreline. Honours were even at Broomfield and Ayr found themselves successful there again on 9th February 1921 by 2-1.

Fortunes fluctuated and the two clubs found themselves often in different divisions. In the 1930's Airdrie had the upper hand and they recorded a few wins of 3-2. After the war the teams once again found themselves playing in different leagues but on 11th December 1954 Ayr lost out narrowly by 5-4.

By the team that Ayr lined up at Broomfield on 31st October 1959, it had been some time since the Honest Men had come away with a victory. Their 2-1 first division win on that day was, therefore, a welcome win. Again relegation for Ayr separated the teams for a few more years until 13th November 1965 when Airdrie again won 1-0, this time in a second division clash - although both clubs gained promotion with Ayr as champions.

Fortunes still did not favour Ayr and and a 1-0 win for the Diamonds, and relegation for Ayr, were the order for the following season.

25th March 1967 was another first division clash but Airdrie were again victors by 3-1.

It was not until 9th October 1971 that Ayr won there again, but what a win. With United 3-1 down Johnny Graham struck three times in the last half hour to give Ayr a 4-3 win scoring in 65, 77 and 85 minutes having already scored the first for Ayr. On 28th April 1973 Ayr won there again, by 1-0 in a first division game.

Ayr did not play there again until 1979, this time due to Airdrie being in the lower league and after Ayr's spell in the new Premier league. Defeat again though for Ayr. United managed a win in 1985, but sank to an all time low on 10th February 1990 when they were beaten 6-0 and 4-0 the following season.

Ayr did manage a point at home on 15th December 1990 when Ally Graham and Tommy Bryce from the spot earned Ayr the draw. Ayr were not fairing any better in the 1990's and played their last game at Broomfield Park on 10th February 1998, with a 2-0 defeat.

Airdrie had moved to their new Excelsior Stadium for 1998/99 and Ayr United were rewarded with two 2-0 wins, the first of these on 21st November 1998. A draw was managed in 1999/2000 and the first game of season 2001/02 saw Ayr slump to a 2-1 defeat.

On 9th February 2002, the last time that Ayr United played at Broomfield, Marvyn Wilson gave Ayr the lead in 21 minutes.                                                                

Unfortunately this was to be the last season for Airdrieonians Football Club as they went out of business at the end of season 2001/02, their last ever match having been played at Ayr on 21st April 2002.