Airdrie United Football Club are a Scottish association football team currently playing in the Scottish Football League First Division. They are currently managed by Sandy Stewart .

The club was formed in May 2002 on the bankruptcy of a previous club, Airdrieonians, who had finished runners-up in the Scottish League Division One but gone out of business with debts of almost £3million. The collapse of Airdrieonians had left a vacant place in the Scottish Football League (in Division Three) but Airdrie United lost this place to Gretna. But the following month, Airdrie United owner Jim Ballantyne completed a buy-out of the ailing Division Two side Clydebank and this allowed Airdrie United to compete in Division Two for the 2002-03 season. Airdrie United's arrival in the Scottish league meant the end of Clydebank F.C.'s existence. Airdrie United play their home fixtures at New Broomfield officially known as Excelsior Stadium, their previous home having been sold to Safeway Supermarket. It was this which triggered the financial ruin of Airdrieonians as their old ground was demolished several years before the new ground was given planning permission. The board of directors built a stadium with a capacity in excess of 10,000 despite their crowds being less than 2000 which was the criteria for joining the Scottish Premier League should the team top the 1st division, the requirement is now 6000.

Airdrie United reached the final of the Bells Challenge Cup in 2003-04 and lost to Inverness Caledonian Thistle, but consolation came in the form of the Division Two championship and promotion to Division 0ne.

Airdrie United have inherited Airdrieonians distinctive playing colours and nickname, 'The Diamonds' since the team play in white top with a red diamond although some fans refused to follow United due to the way they came about - effectively killing another team.

Airdrieonians (Airdrie United inherited them) have long had problems with hooliganism. Their infamous "Section B" have caused trouble for many years and to this day Police forces regulate their fans more strictly than most other teams.

External links

• Official website