Airdrieonians became the first club to go out of business since Third Lanark, back in 1967. The Diamonds departure from the Scottish scene was all but 62 days, as the newly formed Airdrie United, having lost out to Gretna FC in the original ballot for the empty space in the League, made a move for the financially troubled Clydebank.
Clydebank, originally starting life as E.S Clydebank (a fusion of East Stirling and Clydebank), became a well-known team in Scottish football. Kilbowie Park became a regular place for Scottish League football - it was originally the home of Clydebank Juniors - with it's pylons from Firs Park and the very noticeable social club behind the goals, within the boundaries of the stadium. Talented players came out of the club on a regular basis including Owen Coyle, Ken Eadie, Tommy Coyne, Davie Mitchell and one of Scotland's greatest ever players, Davie Cooper.
Clydebank FC Social Club - An extremely convienent drinking establishment
Within 10 years of the club joining the League, Clydebank had won their first, and only, League title, winning the newly established Second Division. During the following 10 years they would make 3 appearances in the Scottish Premier. In 1990, the Bankies reached the semi-final of the Scottish Cup. Local heroes Wet Wet Wet also ensured their beloved Bankies recieved worldwide attention when they became the first ever pop group to participate in shirt sponsoring - Clydebank shirts were soon an essential part of any Wets fan's wardrobe.
The mid-nineties saw the Steedman family, the original
owners of Clydebank, sell-up to John Hall, an ex-pat who wanted to own a football
club. This started the downwards spiral to eventual extinction. Kilbowie was
sold and the Bankies began their nomad-like existence, first moving to Boghead
and a groundshare with Dumbarton. Numerous interested buyers showed up and Clydebank
were facing relocations to the Borders (merging with Gala Fairydean) and Dublin
(to establish Dublin City), as well as moving Carlisle United to Scotland and
getting them into the Scottish League. The fans, constantly fed up with the
never-ending saga, were protesting at games - a supporter handcuffed himself
to the goals and got a match against Stenhousemuir abandoned. In 1999, the club
gained notoriety and fame with fans and stattos when a record low of 29 turned
up to watch their first game at Cappielow against East Stirling. The club went
into adminisitration, with no real saviour in site. This situation prompted
Jim Ballantyne, the chairman of the Airdrie United organisation, to bid for
the club. A last-minute bid by the United Clydebank Supporters group was rejected
and the Bankies disappeared on July 11 into the history books. A tragedy of
the modern game.
A lot of people are extremely sad and angry for what has happened. UCS were
never happy with the way that John Hall handled the whole thing and went to
the lengths of printing the contact details of shareholders that backed the
expat. The Steedmans were also vilified for selling out in the first place,
although they have come forward to express their feelings - they said that if
they'd known what would have happened, then the deal would never have gone through
("If Only" doesn't do much). While many Clydebank supporters, and
football supporters in general are mourning their loss, may are furious that
Airdrie United have profited from the situation (if they had been successful
in the first place, Airdrie would have returned a league lower.
Goodbye Clydebank - we're gonna shed a tear..
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