{"product_id":"airdrieonians-1920","title":"Airdrieonians 1920","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs x126k92a\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs x126k92a\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs x126k92a\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAirdrieonians – A History of the Diamonds\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe story of Airdrieonians began in 1878 in the Lanarkshire industrial town of Airdrie, where the club was originally established under the name Excelsior Football Club. Three years later it adopted the name by which it would become familiar throughout Scottish football: Airdrieonians. The club entered the Scottish Football League in 1894 and, after establishing itself in the Second Division, reached the First Division in 1903.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe club's early colours changed considerably. Records from the nineteenth century are not always conclusive, but Airdrie appear to have moved away from their original blue and white towards red and white vertical stripes during the 1880s. The most important change came in 1912, when the familiar red diamond was introduced on a white shirt. Although Manchester United had appeared in a broadly similar design in the 1909 FA Cup Final, there is nothing to suggest that Airdrie were deliberately copying them. At Airdrie the band continued around the back of the shirt, creating a complete diamond and giving rise to the club's enduring nickname, the Diamonds.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe great Airdrie side of the 1920s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf one period stands above all others in the history of the original Airdrieonians, it is the 1920s. The arrival of Hughie Gallacher from Queen of the South in 1921 helped transform an already capable side into one of the strongest teams in Scotland. At a time when Rangers were a formidable force, Airdrie finished runners-up in the League Championship in four successive seasons, from 1922–23 through to 1925–26.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir greatest triumph came in the Scottish Cup of 1924. Airdrie defeated Hibernian 2–0 in the final, Willie Russell scoring both goals. Gallacher's aggressive, direct attacking play was central to the team's success and the side contained sufficient quality to compete with Scotland's leading clubs over several seasons rather than merely enjoying one exceptional campaign.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuccess also took Airdrie beyond Scotland. In the summer of 1925 the club toured Norway and Sweden, attracting considerable attention. The great side gradually broke up, however. Gallacher left for Newcastle United in December 1925 and Bob McPhail subsequently joined Rangers. Their departures helped bring Airdrie's finest sustained period of football to a close.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRelegation, recovery and cup football\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAirdrie were relegated in 1936 and the following decades brought repeated movement between the divisions. They returned to the top level in 1947, although initially for only one season, and were back in Division One between 1950 and 1954. After winning the Second Division championship in 1954–55, they established themselves for a much longer period among Scotland's leading clubs, interrupted only by relatively brief spells outside the top flight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere were memorable cup adventures as well. Airdrie entered the inaugural Texaco Cup in 1970–71 and eliminated Nottingham Forest in a tie settled by a penalty shoot-out, making them the first Scottish club to take part in that method of deciding a competitive tie. The following season they went all the way to the Texaco Cup final before losing 2–1 on aggregate to Derby County.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnother major occasion arrived in 1975, when Airdrie reached the Scottish Cup Final, losing 3–1 to Celtic. League reconstruction that year placed the club in the new First Division, which was now the second level of Scottish football. Airdrie subsequently won the short-lived Spring Cup in 1976 and returned to the top division in 1981 for a two-season stay.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBroomfield and the revival of the 1990s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor generations, Airdrieonians and Broomfield Park were almost inseparable. Opened in 1892 and situated close to the centre of Airdrie, Broomfield was a compact and intimidating ground. Its pitch was only 67 yards wide and spectators were close to the action, helping create an atmosphere that visiting teams rarely enjoyed. Its distinctive corner pavilion appeared in 1907, while a new main stand followed the club's 1924 Scottish Cup triumph.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere was another strong period under Alex MacDonald in the early 1990s. Airdrie returned to the Premier Division and reached the 1992 Scottish Cup Final, where Rangers defeated them 2–1 at Hampden. Defeat nevertheless brought an unexpected reward. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause Rangers had also won the League Championship, Airdrie qualified for the following season's European Cup Winners' Cup.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir European adventure was brief but remains a distinctive chapter in the club's history. Drawn against Sparta Prague, Airdrie lost 1–0 at Broomfield and 2–1 in Prague, Kenny Black scoring their only goal of the tie. Three years after the Rangers final, the Diamonds returned to Hampden for the 1995 Scottish Cup Final, this time losing 1–0 to Celtic. They also won the Scottish Challenge Cup in 1994–95.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeaving Broomfield\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe decision that ultimately transformed the club's fortunes came away from the football field.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBroomfield was sold for redevelopment in 1994, with the expectation that the proceeds would help finance a modern all-seater stadium capable of meeting the requirements of top-level Scottish football. The problem was that Airdrie left their historic home before their replacement ground was ready. Planning difficulties followed and the club was forced to spend four seasons sharing Clyde's Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAirdrie finally returned to their home town in 1998 when the new Shyberry Excelsior Stadium opened. By then, however, the club had lost something that was difficult to recover. Attendances had fallen during the years away from Airdrie and the financial burden associated with the new stadium became increasingly difficult to sustain.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe contrast with old Broomfield was considerable. A ground remembered for its tight dimensions, proximity of supporters to the pitch and distinctive atmosphere had been replaced by a modern stadium built to satisfy contemporary requirements, but one whose capacity and associated costs were difficult for the club to support. The move intended to secure Airdrieonians' future instead became closely associated with the financial problems that overwhelmed them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe end of the original Airdrieonians\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBy 2000 the position had become critical and provisional liquidators were appointed. Yet the remarkable feature of Airdrie's final years was the extent to which their troubles off the field contrasted with events on it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehe club continued to produce competitive teams and won the Scottish Challenge Cup in both 2000 and 2001. During 2001–02, despite the financial crisis surrounding them, Ian McCall's side even mounted a challenge for promotion to the Scottish Premier League. A poor closing run eventually allowed Partick Thistle to take the championship.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe last match played by the original Airdrieonians took place against Ayr United at Somerset Park on 27 April 2002. It ended in extraordinary circumstances when protesting Airdrie supporters invaded the pitch and a crossbar was broken, forcing the referee to abandon the game. Just a few days later, on 1 May 2002, Airdrieonians went out of business.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt was a bleak ending to a club with 124 years of history. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eProduct details:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou will only pay shipping\/postage for 1 item, no matter how many items you purchase.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiscounts are given for multiple purchases.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eSize: A3, A4, A5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSingle Sided\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003ePaper: 400gsm premium art stock\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003ePrint quality: Museum-grade, high-resolution\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eFinish: Unframed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eWatermark shown in images does NOT appear on the final print\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCarefully packaged for safe delivery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA striking piece of football history — ideal for collectors, historians, and lovers of our national game.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAny issues please contact me at \u003ca href=\"mailto:paul@worldvintagecolours.com\"\u003epaul@worldvintagecolours.com\u003c\/a\u003e by clicking the hyperlink and I will get back to you ASAP.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"World Vintage Colours","offers":[{"title":"A3","offer_id":49014195781824,"sku":"Airdrieonians FC 1920 - A3","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"A4","offer_id":49014195814592,"sku":"Airdrieonians FC 1920- A4","price":9.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"A5","offer_id":49014195847360,"sku":"Airdrieonians FC 1920 - A5","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/8242\/7840\/files\/A3-Airdrieonians1920.jpg?v=1789398712","url":"https:\/\/www.worldvintagecolours.com\/products\/airdrieonians-1920","provider":"World Vintage Colours","version":"1.0","type":"link"}