I really can't believe this sort of thing is allowed to happen. The old Airdrie are dead, so Ballantyne decides to start a new one. Where the hell was he two years ago when Airdrie were in trouble? Shouldn't he have bought them then and gain with it a place in the first division? So he appears, tries to create a new Airdrie without any debt, and is correctly rejected for a place in the SFL. If the new Airdrie were let in, then every club would be running themselves to the wall then starting afresh. It's a great idea but one I think is pathetic, and Gretna were instead admitted.. The sensible thing to do now is to enter Airdrie (United) into a junior league of some sort, to show the league this is a new Airdrie and to show how serious they are, but oh no, not this punter whose arrived on the scene just weeks before.
Instead he hunts around for a club in trouble, and his eyes see Clydebank. A club without a ground for the last 5 years at least, and few fans, and miles from home in Greenock. A club in receivorship for the last 2 years, and struggling big time. However, they do still have fans, fans who support the team through thick and thin. But does Ballantyne give a flying Yardley's behind about them? Does he hell! He makes a bid for the club (read league place), a bid of just £160,000. But first, he has to go to the SFL to make sure it's allowed, and this is what amazes me. THEY SAID YES! One of them, our very own chairman Stewart Gimour, thinks it's like any normal takeover. Of course it is Mr. Gilmour, any club takeover involves the disappearance of one club and the introduction of another. A late bid by Clydebank fans is sadly rejected, and today Airdrie are in. Stuff everyone seems to be Ballantyne's tactic, we'll rock the system. Stuff the Clydebank fans, they can go through what we had to suffer. But hey, we'll give a token invite to their old staff as a PR stunt to make it look like they do care.
My main problem with this is it starts a franchise system. A non league team, if they had money, could come and buy struggling Hamilton or some other club, and now can't be rejected. It sets a terrible precedent, and I can't believe this, or even Livingston years ago, is allowed.
People say Airdrie will have more fans. Where were they all last season, when they had the chance to keep the original club alive. A shocking support for a team going for promotion to the SPL. What the hell will it be like if they are struggling for division 2 survival? It will be half the paltry amount that turned out last season at least.
May you rest in peace Clydebank, and we pray you find an ethical way of gaining entry to the league in the future. As for Airdrie United, I hope you get relegated and Ballantyne runs out of cash.