July 31st 2010 isn’t a date that would automatically stick out to the average Airdrie fan these days.  At the time though, it was derby day.

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Not since a brief Scottish Cup encounter against Motherwell in 2007 had Airdrie been blessed with a regular derby fixture to entice the fans.

True, Hamilton still gave us a few good Lanarkshire Derbies when both clubs had the fortune of being in the same division, but it isn’t the same as our relationship with other clubs.

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On the January 6th 2007 though, every Diamond’s dream came true as Airdrie once again faced Motherwell: the most bitter of rivals in their unmistakable claret and amber.

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A close game, from what I remember – Richie Foran scoring in the 31st minute and temporarily deflating the incredible atmosphere that had built up pre-match (and in the first half hour).  Nothing has ever come close to it at Broomfield since then.

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The one team that always eluded Airdrie in cup draws was Albion Rovers and after nine years we were finally granted our wish.  A Monklands Derby.

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It was an exciting summer’s day.  For a change, we didn’t have to travel far to get a good atmosphere.  It was also the beginning of a period of change.  The game would be Jimmy Boyle’s second game in charge as caretaker manager and a complete squad overhaul had taken place.

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Although Paul Lovering and Scott Gemmill had remained, gone were the likes of Marc Smyth, Stephen Robertson and Kevin McDonald – players who had seen through the past few years at the club.  But every cloud had a silver lining, and the fans could only imagine the potential from new members of the squad such as Ryan McCord, Tony Watt and Kieron Stallard.

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As one of the “older” heads in the squad, it was Scott Gemmill who stepped up to the plate in the 67th minute of that match to net the winner, in a second half which saw both sides go down to 10 men.

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Cliftonhill was a full house that day; the same can hopefully be said for New Broomfield on September 10th for the Wee Rovers’ first official visit.

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I say official, because as some of you may remember a charity match that took place exactly three months after the clubs had met in the League Cup.

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October 31st was a special day for me as I became player/manager of a team of Airdrie fans who played a team of Albion Rovers fans to raise money for St Andrews Hospice.  A great day was had by all and it was a good atmosphere – despite one red card, there’s always one! – and we defeated our Coatbridge counterparts 9-1.

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Here’s hoping for a similar result on Saturday, come on the Diamonds!

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Douglas Barrie