Airdrie United

Airdrie United Football Club, now known as Airdrieonians FC, is a professional football team based in Airdrie, a town in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. The club was established in 2002, following the liquidation of the original Airdrieonians FC, which had been in existence since 1878. The new club was initially denied entry into the Scottish Football League (SFL), but was later admitted after the demise of another club, Gretna FC.

Airdrie United's early years were marked by a series of promotions and relegations between the lower divisions of the SFL. The club won the Scottish Second Division (now known as Scottish League One) in the 2003-2004 season, earning promotion to the First Division. However, they were relegated back to the Second Division after just one season. The club again secured promotion to the First Division in the 2008-2009 season, but once again faced relegation after a single season.

In 2013, Airdrie United officially changed its name back to Airdrieonians FC, in homage to the original club. The club's home ground is the Excelsior Stadium, also known as the Penny Cars Stadium for sponsorship reasons, which has a capacity of approximately 10,000 spectators. The stadium is the third largest in the Scottish League One.

Airdrieonians FC's colours are white and red, and their crest features a football and a diamond, a nod to Airdrie's history as a major centre of the diamond cutting industry in the 19th century. The club's nickname, "The Diamonds", also derives from this history.

Despite its relatively short history, Airdrieonians FC has had a significant impact on Scottish football. The club has produced several players who have gone on to play at higher levels, including Scotland internationalists. The club also has a strong community presence, with a dedicated fan base and a youth development program that nurtures local talent.

Airdrieonians FC's greatest achievement to date came in the 2008-2009 season, when they won the ALBA Challenge Cup, a competition for teams in the lower divisions of the Scottish football league system. The club has also reached the final of the Scottish Challenge Cup on two other occasions, in 2003 and 2011.

Despite the ups and downs, Airdrieonians FC remains a beloved institution in Airdrie and a vital part of the town's identity. The club's history may be short, but its roots run deep, and its future looks bright as it continues to build on the legacy of the original Airdrieonians FC.