Gartcairn Juniors
Full nameGartcairn Football Academy Juniors
Nickname(s)The Cairn
Founded2015
GroundMTC Park, Airdrie
ChairmanMartin Peacock
ManagerMichael Dunlop
LeagueWest of Scotland League Premier Division
2022–23West of Scotland League First Division, 1st of 16 (promoted)

Gartcairn Football Academy Juniors, commonly referred to as Gartcairn Juniors, are a Scottish semi-professional football club from the town of Airdrie, North Lanarkshire who play in the West of Scotland League Premier Division.

History

The Gartcairn Football Academy was founded in 2007 with two teams at under-8 and under-10 level.[1] Since that time, the club grew to involve 700 players and 60 coaches with teams from the youngest age groups up to an adult amateur side. Gartcairn decided to apply for membership of the Scottish Junior Football Association in 2015, to create an unbroken player pathway to semi-professional level and to provide a playing option for existing local talent in Airdrie and neighbouring Coatbridge.[2] Airdrie had previously had no representation at Junior level since the 1930s.

The Academy officially opened their own facility at St Margaret's High School in Airdrie in January 2014, however the Junior side initially had to play out of Coatbridge Outdoor Sports Centre due to certain ground criteria not being met.[3] The club were able to use to their own ground, named MTC Park, from January 2016 after alterations were made.[4]

Willie Kinniburgh was appointed manager of the first team in December 2019.[5] The club attracted former Hibernian player Tam McManus out of retirement for their debut Junior season.[6] The club did the same with recently retired former Dundee and Partick Thistle player Gary Harkins in 2020.[7]

Entering the SJFA West Region's bottom tier, Central District Division Two, the club finished 2nd in 2017–18 and gained promotion. The following season, they became champions of West League One to gain promotion to the second tier of the West Region structure.

After the move to the West of Scotland Football League in 2020, the club consolidated their position in the Conferences and then won the First Division title in 2022–23 to gain promotion to the Premier Division.

Honours

West of Scotland Football League

SJFA West Region

Managers

References

  1. ^ "About Us: In The Beginning". www.gartcairn.com. Gartcairn Football Academy. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  2. ^ Paterson, Colin (25 June 2015). "'The hard work starts now': Gartcairn Juniors chairman Robert McCallum ready to get going". Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser. Daily Record. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  3. ^ "Gartcairn Football Academy Launch New 3G Pitch". thescottishfootballpartnership.com. The Scottish Football Partnership. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  4. ^ Paterson, Colin (27 January 2016). "Gartcairn get the green light to play home games in Airdrie". Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser. Daily Record. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  5. ^ Pirie, Mark (30 December 2019). "New Gartcairn boss Willie Kinniburgh aims to stay clear of relegation dogfight". Daily Record. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  6. ^ Paterson, Colin (24 June 2015). "Former Hibernian star Tam McManus comes out of retirement to sign for Gartcairn Juniors". Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser. Daily Record. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  7. ^ Pirie, Mark (3 July 2020). "Gary Harkins shock retirement U-turn as seventh tier Gartcairn complete incredible deal". Daily Record. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  8. ^ Paterson, Colin (28 August 2015). "Junior Football: Gartcairn under new management ahead of league bow". Daily Record. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  9. ^ Paterson, Colin (18 March 2016). "Junior Football: More change at Gartcairn who appoint THIRD manager this season". Daily Record. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  10. ^ Paterson, Colin (25 March 2016). "Junior Football: It's a winning start for new Gartcairn boss Gerry Bonham". Daily Record. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  11. ^ Pirie, Mark (13 January 2017). "Gartcairn boss hopes to bounce back from debut defeat against Vale of Leven". Daily Record. Retrieved 9 October 2018.

External links

55°52′18″N 3°58′02″W / 55.87163°N 3.967341°W / 55.87163; -3.967341


West of Scotland Football League
Scottish Junior Football Association, West Region
Categories