Airdrie United v. Albion Rovers - Preview

By Gordon Thomson
July 25 2002

Airdrie United will play their first ever fixture on Saturday 27th August 2002 at The Excelsior Stadium, Broomfield Park, Airdrie at home to Peter Hetherston's Albion Rovers.

Jim Ballantyne and company's hard work finally comes to fruition on Saturday when Airdrie United play their first ever game at the Excelsior Stadium. After the death of Airdrieonians FC, and the protracted formation and 'leaguealization' of the new club, Sandy Stewart is still in the process of recruiting and registering of the playing staff with the help of his assistants, Brian Rice and Kenny Brannigan. Saturday's fixture should be stiff workout for Sandy's new squad as they've only played a few closed door games.

Former Diamond Peter Hetherston has by comparison had a seemingly easier time replacing another Diamonds legend, John McVeigh in the Rover's hotseat. It can safely be assumed that Silky will want to draw first blood from the new Diamonds.

So what can we expect from Sandy's team? It's kind of difficult to tell from the snippets available so far as there is still so far no official news on signed players. Given Sandy's playing experience it looks like we'll be playing a style similar to Doddies team from the early to mid nineties. Sandy himself will probably be the sweeper with Kenny Brannigan, a wily old no-nonsense centre half flanking him. Look for another big centre half on Sandy's left. Rumour has it we had former Stenhousmuir centre back Simon Vella playing there last week. In midfield he'll probably play four accross the middle. Jimmy Boyle will probably be on the right, and youngster Willie McVey from Clydebank on the left. Stevie Docherty and possibly Stuart MacDonald or Lee Gardner from last season's team will probably be in the middle. In the hole between them and the strikers could be Paul Harvey. Like Boyle, he was an on/off favourite of mine many moons ago but will their advancing years be a hinderance? Certainly Boyle at 35 (36 next Feb) and Harvey at 34 (later in the month) will feel they have a point to prove to their doubters. Anyone who was at Fir Park in August 1994 will fondly remember how good those two players can be though! Up front it looks like former Stranraer, Dumbarton, Clydebank and Berwick frontman, Martin Glancy, could be a regular starter with maybe Paul Ronald providing the girth and height. The goalie was rumoured to be former Motherwell, Stirling and Stranraer goalie, Mark McGeown. If so he is a steady player who could and should have played at a higher level than he has done. At 32 he too can draw on vast experience. This proposed lineup is pure conjecture as there has been no official news and I'm working on snippets of information I've found in the papers and on the web.

In fitting with the new club's projected vision and image, there will be a children's carnival before the game with some roundabouts, a clown (my old mate bubbles - he's not playing, I hope), facepainting, beat the goalie, and some other goodies for the kids. The bar will be open for the big kids from 12noon. Anyone wanting to buy a season ticket can do so, probably from the ticket office (TBC) from 12 till 2.

What more can be said about Saturday's historic game? Please get along, bring as many new faces as you can, get the season ticket if you can and support the new Diamonds. Bear in mind that Rome wasn't built in a day and that every big building needs a good foundation. Let Sandy and Jim know that their hard work is appreciated.