Airdrie
Meet the Chairman Q & A.
By Stomp Admin
July 12 2016
Last night was the first time I had the opportunity to sit and listen to our chairman and his plans. I have to say I’m a cynic about all things Scottish Football everything from those who run the game to fans. Over the last few months I’ve seen a change at Airdrie, a happening, a slow change and to me that came across last night.
So some points from last night:-
Eddie Wolecki Black won't be back as soon as hoped, it seems he is not as healthy as they had hoped and the club intend to support him and his family. He is being kept in the loop and the Chairman, Kevin McBride and other coaches use him as a sounding board and keep him in the loop.
https://www.sundaypost.com/in10/health/airdrie-football-boss-suffered-near-fatal-stroke-survived-daughters-birth/
League Cup and Challenge Cup structures.
The Chairman understood that change was needed and doesn’t expect that the cross over competition will allow a certain two teams to leave the Scottish game and head south, there are already several examples of teams from one country playing in another, Welsh teams playing in England and team English team playing in Scotland.
It was stated that due to the re-structuring of the league cup teams were using the matches as part of their pre-season and we were no different however it’s felt we are in a strong position as we started training early and are full time. Partick Thistle and Queen of the South will be tough challenges.
It is £12 to get in on Friday due to half the takings going to Thistle and the cost of the stadium rental.
Signings & Transfers.
Kevin McBride said we will hopefully today (Tuesday) be signing the trialist Kevin Schmidt who played against us for Annan and scored 2 of their goals. See the link.
http://airdriefc.com/news/2016/07/kevinschmidt
There was also agreement that we still needed a strong center half but that person would need to meet the standards the club were setting and they wouldn’t rush in to selecting the wrong player.
The Chairman said he wanted to sign players from leagues above and not players that had played league one last year.
Both the chairman and head coach commented on the selection of players, they were fast agile players who were here to play FOOTball, he wants to see us play from front to back and was encouraged to see play starting from Rohan Ferguson and progressing up the park, he sees him playing like a sweeper as much as a goal keeper.
It was also acknowledged that this sort off football might not always be possible especially when up against stronger teams on tighter parks Stranraer was an example.
The Chairman was asked about the players that left us and went to Livingston and he stated that they had offered us £500 as a compensation payment for Nicki Cadden and the assumption is that it will go to a tribunal.
The Chairman explained that James Daly was only offered a 6 month contract as he is just back from bad injury, if it all works out after 6 months then a longer deal will be offered and hopefully accepted. He said he is just being cautious as with a tight squad we can't afford long term injuries taking up a wage. He used Kevin McBride and David Van Zanten as an example as both were carrying injuries and never got back to fitness.
Promotion this season challenge.
As would be expected both tried to play down our chances but they both want to be challenging. It was also stated that (correct me if I’m wrong here) 6 of the last 9 teams who won this league were full time, take from that what you want.
Iain King’s departure.
Was down to the chairman being “a control freak” he was talking to the same players and people King was so what was the point of a middle man.
Season tickets and other matters
Season tickets go on sale Friday and Sunday of this week, with further dates to be announced.
There are no credit facilities at the club so season tickets will have to be paid in full this, tickets prices will be the same this year as last year.
Home shirts will be on sale in August and the away shirts in November for the Christmas market.
There are no plans to leave the stadium it’s our home ground.
There are plans to have an open day at Ravenscraig where everyone will be welcome too come and see the Airdrie branded facilities in Motherwell ;)
The under 20’s will be playing their matches out of Ravenscraig if SFA or Scottish League agree to allow matches to be played indoors. It can hold 400 spectators.
Airdrie are using the European method of training namely between 3-5pm after meeting at 12 for a team lunch and doing planning and video analysis.
15,000 homes in Airdrie will recieve a brochure advertising the club and our sponsores.
The club are running a survey via the official site and it’s hoped all fans will take part it closes on Friday.
http://airdriefc.com/news/2016/05/mailinglist
The meeting didn’t close on this but in closing I think it’s worth mentioning:-
The chairman stated that we have faced problems selling the clubs new vision to potential younger footballers and part of that is the attitude of some of our home support, he also partly blames our poor home record from last season on this. We have to remember that our younger players sit in the stands and hear the abuse dished out some weeks to those on the park. He feels that if you can’t come to the match and support the team then think seriously about why you’re attending games. P.S. <- he wasn’t that diplomatic.
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12/07/2016 20:01
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