Broomfield Bulletin

Pre-Season Diamonds

Welcome

Hello, and welcome to our first Broomfield Bulletin of the 2025/26 season. Thank you for all your support so far, we hope you continue to read and enjoy the programme as we embark on a new season. This issue will cover the games against Penybont and Albion Rovers and will study: previous games against Welsh and non-Scottish opposition, the 2024 Challenge Cup final, Welsh connections with Airdrie, a look at the Monklands derby and the debut of 'Aff the Shelf'.

We hope you are looking forward to the new season and taking a first look at our new additions as we are. 'Mon the Diamonds!

Penybont FC

Penybont FC is a team from Bridgend, South Wales, formed in 2013 following the merger of Bridgend Town and Bryntirion Athletic. The club has risen through the Welsh football leagues and gained promotion to the JD Cymru Premier in 2019. Since then, under the guidance of Rhys Griffiths, Penybont has gone from strength to strength, establishing itself as one of the top sides in the country—finishing 2nd in the most recent season and securing European football for the second time. In Europe, we’ll face Kauno Žalgiris of Lithuania in the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round, with the aim of progressing to meet either Valur or Flora Tallinn in the next stage.

This success has been built on a strong squad full of quality. From goalkeeper and defence to midfield and attack, every player has played a vital role in getting the club to where we are today. James Crole, Gabe Kircough, and Kane Owen were all named in the JD Cymru Premier Team of the Season, but it’s the team as a whole that makes Penybont such a tough side to play against. With that togetherness and belief, there’s every reason to be confident heading into the new season and Europe once again.

By Tom Watkins @Watkins968

Non-Scottish opposition at New Broomfield

The match against Penybont on 28th June will mark the first time a Welsh side has visited Excelsior Stadium for a match against Airdrieonians. Excluding Berwick Rangers, my records have it that they are the eighth non-Scottish side to have played the Diamonds at Excelsior since we moved in during August 1998.

Looking at competitive matches first, the Challenge Cup has provided ties against English and Irish opponents. Sutton United from south London visited in the second round in September 2018, closing a 38 years gap since the Anglo-Scottish Cup tie against Bury in 1980. They had finished third in the National League (England's 'fifth' division) in 2017/18 and were sitting in seventh place when they arrived in North Lanarkshire. We were in the third tier at the time so their 1-0 win perhaps didn't say too much about comparative standards.

Bohemian from north Dublin came calling one year later, this time in the third round. They had finished in mid-table in the previous season's League of Ireland Premier Division and were third on the morning of the tie. Our third tier status meant our 3-2 success was very commendable in that context.

If that accounts for the competitive fixtures, we've encountered four English clubs in friendlies down the years. The most memorable one was against York City who had the honour of helping us to open the stadium back on 1st August 1998. Alan Moore etched his name in club records with the stadium's first goal.

A Newcastle United XI was next up when they called at the end of January 2001. Jesus Sanjuan's strike gave us another single goal win. Wallsall visited six months later but this time they scored the game's only goal. Norwich City visited in July 2009 and won 3-2. (Motherwell’s new manager Jens Berthel Askou scored for Norwich that day)

Canadian side, FC Edmonton, are still the only club from outside these islands that we've played at Excelsior. They provided the opposition in a mid-season game, this time in March 2016. They won 2-1.

If Penybont are the first Welsh club we've met in North Lanarkshire, the Bridgend side are not the inaugural visitors from the Principality. That honour was bestowed on Llanelli who played Motherwell at Excelsior on 2nd July 2009.

That was the first-leg of the Europa League's first qualifying round, the game played in Airdrie because of remedial work being undertaken on the pitch at Fir Park. Stuart Jones scored the only goal of the match for the visitors in what was a stirring victory for the Carmarthenshire club, but Motherwell turned things round with a 3-0 second-leg success. Flamurtari Vlore from Albania visited Excelsior in the next phase but the Steelmen's encounter with Steau Bucharest in the third qualifying round means that former European champions can be added to the list of non-Scottish visitors.

If we include the women's sections of Chelsea and Paris St Germain then the Kings (Queens)of Europe list extends to four. Glasgow City played both at Excelsior in 2015 while our league cup victory over Celtic in August 1998 provided one of the new stadium's greatest nights. If we're talking of queens, then there was also Queen of the South's UEFA Cup second qualifying round tie against Danish club Nordsjaelland in August 2008.

Glasgow City also played Slovakian, Ukrainian, Polish and Swiss clubs but their match against Glentoran from east Belfast in August 2014 means that a club from every part of these islands has visited Excelsior at some point.

Far less exotic, but much closer to home, Albion Rovers visit the week after Penybont. We played league matches against them from 1920 to 2018, almost a century of local competition. Their demotion to the Lowland League at the end of 2022/23 means it could be some time before that happens again.

By Peter Smith

Welsh Airdrieonians

Tommy ‘T.G.’ Jones

Tommy Jones was one of the most elegant and composed defenders of his generation, often referred to as “The Prince of Centre-Halves.” Born in Queensferry, Wales, he began his career with Wrexham before joining Everton in 1936 for £3,000. At Goodison Park, he became a central figure in the club’s 1938/39 First Division title-winning team, alongside another Airdrieonian in Torry Gillick, while also being managed by an Airdrionian- Hunter Hart who in his time earned Airdrie their record transfer fee (Between 3-4 thousand pounds) when he moved to Everton in 1922.

During the Second World War, Jones served as a Physical Training Instructor in the RAF, stationed in Arbroath. While there, Airdrieonians managed to secure his services on a temporary wartime transfer from Everton in April 1943. Although his time with the Diamonds was brief, he made two appearances—both at left-back. The first came in a Southern League Cup tie away to Third Lanark on 3 April 1943, and the second in a Southern League match at home to Falkirk on 10 April 1943.

Carl Harris

Carl Harris was a Welsh international winger known for his blistering pace and a standout spell at Leeds United in the 1970s and early ’80s. He earned 24 caps for Wales and was once described by England’s Mick Mills as the toughest opponent he ever faced. Signed by former Leeds teammate Gordon McQueen his time at Airdrie was fleeting making just one appearance. Still counts though!

Tom Fry

The Wales-Born attacking midfielder signed with the Diamonds ahead of the 17/18 season after three successful trial games. Featuring in 30 games, He only scored the one goal but it’s a goal that’ll be long remembered not only by Airdrie fans watching their team win the derby but by Rovers fans watching their rivals add another nail to their relegation coffin. The Wee ‘Vers were relegated two weeks later.

Photo credit Robert Dalzell | Redacted Media

By Airdrieonians in History

First Final

The day started with a long walk to The Falkirk Stadium from the other side of Helix Park. The main thing I can remember was the number of Airdrie fans. We were everywhere, and I couldn’t believe how many red and white scarves we passed. Before the game there was a real feeling of optimism as we all walked up towards the stadium. This was my first cup final, and I was more nervous than normal. I held on to the fact that I had never seen Airdrie lose at The Falkirk Stadium. That helped to settle the nerves. It was the daft wee things that added to the excitement, including the merch van and the TV vans. I had never seen anything like that at an Airdrie game. The special walkout jacket made for the Cup Final certainly got my approval! The Airdrie fans obviously outnumbered The New Saints fans in huge numbers.

The game itself got off to the worst possible start with Ben Clark scoring for TNS on 12 minutes. Their fans over to the right were delighted. I clung onto the hope that at least we still had 78 minutes to get back into the game. Next thing I knew, it was the 22nd minute and Frizzell played a ball and ‘Magic’ Mcstravick seized the chance to strike the ball sweetly into the top left corner and, all of a sudden, Airdrie fans were dreaming again.

Photo credit Robert Dalzell | Redacted Media

The game was fairly even, with both teams having good chances at either end. This only added to the nerves. We did have our fair share of misfortune in the game when Rhys came off injured, followed by Mcstravick coming off with what appeared to be a more serious injury.

Shortly after the injuries, Josh O ‘Connor won the Diamonds a penalty. Now the stress kicked in. I deliberated whether I would be able to watch the penalty, but I was also desperate to see who would take it. My heart was pounding. Airdrie had an amazing chance to take the lead in the cup final. Toddy stuck the penalty away and sent the Airdrie stands into pandemonium with fans of all ages jumping for joy!

Injury time was nerve-wracking. I genuinely didn’t think I could cope, and I wasn’t the only Airdrie fan praying for the referee to blow his whistle. The feeling when the final whistle blew is one that is hard to describe. One of sheer joy, relief, all the travelling to Peterhead, Stranraer and everywhere in between is made worth it by moments like these. Seeing my team lift a trophy was exceptional and something I hope to be lucky enough to see again. It was a lovely touch to have Airdrie fans – Trenchie and Diamond Abi – doing the presentation.

I was scrolling social media in the car on the way home and started to sense excitement from Al-Hilal fans. The Saudis were delirious that little old Airdrie had stopped TNS from breaking their unbeaten record. I’m still waiting for the promised friendly to be scheduled! (Al-Hilal and TNS were embroiled in a bizarre feud which centred around the Guinness World Record for most wins in a row.)

I will forever be grateful to Rhys and the team for giving me a day that will live long in the memory. My first ever Airdrie cup final win.

By Cal Gilkison

Welsh Connections

Like Tommy Jones, Hunter Hart and Torry Gillock - Neville Southall was a league winner with Everton in 1985 and 1987. His connection to the Diamonds? Southall played against us for Bury in the 1980/81 Anglo Scottish Cup quarter-finals, one of a few Welshmen who played against Airdrie in the competition. Bury won out over the two quarter-final legs (4-2 at Broomfield in the first leg and 1-0 in the return fixture at Gigg Lane) before losing 3-2 to Chesterfield in the semi-finals.

In the earlier days of the competition, Airdrieonians reached the final in 1972 where they played Brian Clough's Derby County. In doing so, Airdrie defeated Huddersfield Town (who counted Welshman Dick Krzywicki in their squad), Ballymena United and Manchester City, becoming the first and only Scottish team to defeat Man City in competitive action. In terms of Welsh rams, Terry Hennessy started the first leg in midfield for Derby and was booked in what was said to be a 'physical encounter' that finished 0-0 and left all to play for at the Baseball Ground. There was some consternation after the game as Clough and Derby chairman (Sam Longson) both missed the game and the Derby players missed the post-match reception due to having to catch their flight home.

The second leg was scheduled for 8th March but was also not without controversy, as the game was postponed due to the level of rainfall the night before, with some Airdrie fans having already embarked on their travels. Stuart Webb, Derby County secretary, wrote in the Leicester edition of the Ram match programme on 18 March: ‘May I offer the apologies of Derby County to those supporters of Airdrie who travelled all the way from Scotland to Derby only to discover that the Texaco Cup Final second leg had been postponed. We flashed the news to Glasgow immediately but not soon enough to intercept some fans; we also had Airdrie directors and Texaco officials to placate, but they know we would have played the match had it been at all possible. The decision to call off the game did not, of course, lie with Derby County. On the Tuesday, we were faced with a heavy pitch but nothing out of the ordinary for this time of year. Then torrential overnight rain radically altered the conditions. We knew at 8.30am that the position was hopeless, and informed the Football League accordingly’.

More controversy would follow once the game was played. Terry Hennessy again started for the Rams as, a future Derby programme mentioned the match had 'more than the odd flash of temper displayed': none more so than Colin Boulton's punch on Drew Jarvie in the penalty area that went unpunished by referee Jack Taylor. Hennessy's Derby side ultimately prevailed 2-1 to win the Anglo-Scottish Cup.

By Sean Smith

Aff the Shelf – Books, Magazines, and all things Scottish Fitba!

Welcome to Aff the Shelf!

Following on from last season’s Collectors Corner, where we looked at old match programmes with an Airdrie connection, this season I want to lift off the shelf and blow off the dust, to discover all sorts of fitba books and magazines, all with a link to the Diamonds. I hope these treasures will be of interest to you all, both young and old Diamonds alike.

The Drew Busby Story, By Andrew Hoggan, Foreword by Donald Ford, published 2013.

Airdrieonians in the 1970’s can only mean two things – Busby and Jarvie!

I want to concentrate on one of this great partnership – the legend that is Drew Busby.

Or to be more precise re live the ‘Buzz Bomb’ experience through the book simply called The Drew Busby Story, written by Andrew Hoggan and published in June 2013.

Drew, born in Glasgow on 8th December 1947, and brought up in Dumbarton, had his first senior debut with Third Lanark in 1967. Sadly, the Third went under in the same year, and Drew had the unfortunate claim on scoring their last goal. Drew scored 5 goals from 11 appearances before they folded.

After one appearance for Partick Thistle, Drew returned to the Juniors until he was picked up by Ralph Collins for the Diamonds starting on a part time basis in 1970, earning a whole £20 per week.

Drew joined up with his striking partner Drew Jarvie and between them created so many great memories for both me and all Airdrie fans at the time, in what was a tremendous period to be a Diamond.

Drew stayed with the Diamonds for three seasons before his transfer to Hearts in May 1973. Bobby Seith brought him to Tynecastle for a then club record fee of £35,000.

Not surprisingly the book focuses on Drew’s period at Hearts, with Donald Ford ex Hearts striker providing the foreword. However, to be fair, the author covers Drew’s period of three seasons at Airdrie, in detail. And it is this that I want to examine.

In season 1970/71, Drew played with many legends – Roddy McKenzie, Sam Goodwin, Derek Whiteford, Billy McPheat, Davie Marshall, Billy Wilson, Mark Cowan and of course Drew Jarvie. Many older fans today, can rhyme off the complete team with pride – followed by the mutter of envy” Great Days then”. In the book, Drew spoke of his partnership with Jarvie, describing how Jarvie had an uncanny knack of, with one touch, knocking balls into his path to crack into the net. Drew had an uncompromising style, where in less regulated times, the goalie could be bundled into the net along with the ball! Stewart Rennie Falkirk goalie following a 7-1 drubbing from Airdrie where Drew scored two, described Drew as “He liked to clatter into you at every opportunity……Drew was a nice guy off the park but on it he seemed to hate goalies.” This probably explains Drew’s description of Roddy McKenzie as a great goalkeeper except he was “too nice” to opposition strikers!

That season, Airdrie beat Nottingham Forest on penalties after a two-legged affair finished 4-4, came back from 2-0 down to draw 3-3 with Celtic in a Scottish Cup semi final, and beat Rangers 4-3 at home.

The next season (71/72), Drew was crucial to Airdrie’s achievement in reaching the final of the Texaco Cup narrowly missing out to a very ‘fortunate’ Derby County, after besting Huddersfield Town and Manchester City on route. The price of success was the loss of his partner, Drew Jarvie to Aberdeen for £72,000.

The following season 72/73, Airdrie bought Billy Hulson to do the same job as the now departed Jarvie, however Drew missed his previous partner and the team struggled getting relegated at the end of the season. Bobby Seith Hearts Manager offered Drew £2,000 to sign. Drew sought advice from the Airdrie Directors as he was not too impressed with the terms. Airdrie offered him an additional £1,000 to go! And conceded to Drew’s demand to doubled it! No wonder. He eventually went to Tynecastle for £35,000 in May 1973.

Drew’s record at Airdrie: 92 plus 1 Appearances – 43 goals scored.

Drew went on to have a successful stay of six seasons at Hearts, followed by periods with Toronto Blizzards, Greenock Morton, and player/manager at Queen of the South before moving on to the pub trade, back in his home town of Dumbarton.

In his book, Drew quotes sports writer Brian Scott, following another defeat for Scotland, this time against Russia where Scott recommends Busby as a solution to Scotland’s difficulty in scoring. As evidence Scott wrote “He’s not over endowed with grace, but he can score goals…. he knows what to do with the ball…. he’s knocked it off at Broomfield. Last season, he was Scotland’s top league goal scorer.”

Scotland could certainly do with a Busby just now!

In the book Drew recalls after hanging up his boots, his auld partner Drew Jarvie asked him to have a look at two up and coming prospects – Allan Moore and Owen Coyle. After watching them in action, Drew reported back “If I was offered the two of them for nothing, I’d have to think about it!” So Drew, better at football than scouting, perhaps!

Sadly, Drew Busby passed in July 2022, however remains much admired. He had little to show in terms of silverware in his senior football career, but was much loved by Airdrie fans and many others. And today when goalies have over protection from referees, Diamonds fans will shake their heads, and lament Busby would have put him and the ball in the back of the net!

This book is a great read for all Airdrie fans young and old, Busby was what Airdrie are all about.

Scottish Football Programme Fair

There is a Programme Fair at Hampden Park on Sunday 6 July 10.30pm – 2pm. Admission free.

By Andy Locke

North Lanarkshire Derby

A game that today may just be labelled as a "friendly", but this is a game that always has significance to both sides.

While today might just seem like a typical pre-season friendly to people on the outside looking in, most fans of the Diamonds and Wee Rovers will see it as a game they want to win, and win convincingly.

The sides first met in the 1919/20 Scottish Football League, with the Diamonds emerging victorious in both encounters. The Diamonds defeated Rovers 2-1 at home, with us also winning 2-0 in the away fixture.

Recently, with Rovers falling into non-league, the fixture has become somewhat rare, the last time they met completely in the league was in 2018, the Diamonds ending that game 2-0 victors with goals from Adam Brown and Tom Fry.

That wasn't the last time we met competitively though, as in 2019 Airdrie travelled to Cliftonhill in the Scottish Cup with Airdrie winning 4-1 thanks to goals from Kurtis Roberts, Kyle MacDonald and a Sean Crighton double. Rovers' goal came from a Crighton OG.

The fixture isn't all Diamonds wins though, as a game many Airdrie fans wish to forget is when Rovers demolished us 7-2 at Cliftonhill, in a match that we wish never happened.

The clubs have a history of players playing for both clubs though. Paddy Connolly and Charlie Reilly are just two examples, and they have former Diamonds academy players Nathan Brown and Bright Prince within their ranks now, along with quite the Airdrie legend as their manager, in Sandy Clark.

All in all, the Monklands derby is a game that means a lot in any circumstance as fans, players and coaching staff alike know what it means to play in this fixture, and today is no different. Let's hope for a Diamonds victory.

By David Jarvie