What goes around comes around appears to be the story as far as Airdrie United are concerned. The club, when known as Airdrieonians, lost their right to operate under that name due to financial difficulties back in 2002 with Gretna taking their place in the SFL. Now, with Gretna demoted to the Third Division and possible extinction, the phoenix of Airdrie United has returned to the First Division. While they have been promoted for non-football reasons the club have no intention of just making the league have a more balanced look. The club are driving forward to build a team that can hold it's own and more in the First Division.
Airdrie United Chairman Jim Ballantyne said "We would have preferred to have been promoted in the normal manner and we take no pleasure in the demise of Gretna FC, however we embrace the opportunity with both hands. I have been preaching the concept of sustainability for years and it is not always what fans want to hear but the Gretna situation is a timely reminder of the short term folly of benefactor management".
