Airdrie in the Irn Bru Scottish 1st division

At the end of Season 2011-2012 Airdrie soundly defeated Ayr United and earned ourselves a place in the playoff finals and a chance to play our way in to the 1st division, as we know Dumbarton left us reeling and we thought our chance of promotion had gone with it.

Today 17^th of July it was announced officially that we will be promoted to the Irn Bru 1^st division because another team has faltered. With only two weeks confirmation Airdrie are once again left with the problem of changing a team built for the 2^nd division in to 1^st division fighters. That’s what it will take to succeed this season a team of fighters a team who are willing to give 110% every single game.

By accepting promotion, not there was any chance of refusing it, we have left behind us three teams that brought a travelling support to us Queen of the South probably one of the most organised supporters clubs in Scotland, Ayr United it seems that in the last 10 to 15 years our fortunes have been linked and finally Albion Rovers, many of our fans don’t see the “wee Rovers” as being big enough to be considered rivals but in last year they brought more fans to us than many of the 1^st division teams will.

Behind us in the 2^nd division we leave matches against Albion Rovers, Alloa, Arbroath, Ayr, Brechin, East Fife, Forfar, Queen of the South and Stenhousemuir.

Instead our promotion will see us play
Dumbarton 11^th of Aug, 27^th of Oct, 19^th of Jan & 20^th of Apr
Livingston 18^th of Aug, 10^th of Nov, 2^nd Mar & 27^th Apr
Dunfermline 25^th of Aug, 12^th of Jan, 9^th of Mar & on the last day of the season 4^th of May
Cowdenbeath 1^st of Sept, 17^th of Nov, 02^nd of Jan & 16^th of March
Raith Rovers 15^th of Sept, 24^th of Nov, 5^th of Jan & 23^rd of March
Falkirk 22^nd of Nov, 8^th of Dec,  26^th Jan & 30^th of March
Greenock Morton 29^th Sept, 15^th of Dec, 9^th of Feb & 6^th of April
Hamilton 6^th of Oct, 26^th of Dec, 16^th of Feb, 9^th of April
Partick Thistle 20^th Oct, 29^th Dec, 23^rd of Feb, 13^th of April
Red donates home games

The Hamilton matches above bring in to focus the clubs who voted against what seems to be the general consensus of opinion, well I for one feel that this whole episode of Scottish football has to be learnt from but more than that everyone has to support their clubs and attend as many games as you can possibly afford Scottish football now needs it’s fans more than ever.

So that’s what we have to look forward to this season, the furthest north will be Raith Rovers, no more than an hour away, the closest Hamilton or Thistle. For those of us who like a good away day it looks as though we hold out for a favourable cup draw.

Who are you looking forward to seeing, which match stirs the blood if any?