A YEAR OF CHANGE...

While on the park many fans have been left disappointed this term, behind the scenes it marks a new era after months of turmoil at the Diamonds.

The Advertiser breaks down a timeline of the horror months for the club before the Bobby Watsonfronted consortium took the helm.

MAY 31 2017: Airdrieonians secretary AnnMarie Ballantyne trashes any talk of a takeover.

JUNE 6: Tom Wotherspoon announces he is stepping down as chairman and Jim Ballantyne will once again be taking the role. He states he is looking to sell his shares.

JUNE 17: Head coach Mark Wilson announces he will be leaving the Diamonds. Director of football Gordon Dalziel tells the Advertiser they will take time to find the right replacement.

JUNE 24: Airdrie start the season with a friendly against Gala Fairydean Rovers.

JULY 5: The club is plunged into turmoil as chairman Jim Ballantyne threatens to resign and demands £10,000 from the Supporters Trust to keep the club alive.

JULY 6: At a crisis fan meeting, Ballantyne warns of“hard days ahead”and that it was a “pretty s**t time”for the club since Wotherspoon stepped down.

JULY 19: Rangers legend and ex-Clyde boss Barry Ferguson plays down rumours linking him to the Diamonds hotseat.

JULY 20: North Lanarkshire Council refute Jim Ballatyne’s claims that the deal for training at Ravenscraig has been re-negotiated, as he claimed at the meeting with fans.

JULY 22: In a press conference after the Betfred Cup clash with Livingston, Gordon Dalziel says there is no money to pay a manager or head coach.

AUGUST 4: Airdrie start the regular league season with Willie Aitchison taking charge of the team as head coach.

AUGUST 16: Despite Aitchison’s involvement, Gordon Dalziel admits he “touched base”with former Rangers star Nacho Novo regarding coming into the club.

AUGUST 19: Willie Aitchison is axed after victory in the Monklands derby and enters a public bust-up with Jim Ballantyne.

AUGUST 30: A group of Airdrie-minded businessmen reveal a plan to take over the club.

SEPTEMBER 13: Kevin Thomson rules himself out of taking charge at the Diamonds.

SEPTEMBER 19: The Airdrieonians Supporters Trust vote to hold funding of the modern apprenticeship scheme at the club on hold at a crisis meeting.

OCTOBER 1: Stephen Findlay takes up the role as first-team coach.

OCTOBER 28: Fan group‘Diamonds for Change’reveal themselves at the Monklands derby with a huge banner stating‘Back the Team - Sack the Board’

NOVEMBER 8: Former Diamonds gaffer Bobby Watson and Sir Alex Ferguson’s brother Martin reveal themselves as the leaders of the consortium.

NOVEMBER 15: Fans are told of a potential buyer, as Seref Zengin is confirmed as preferred bidder for Tom Wotherspoon’s stake in the club.

NOVEMBER 17: At an emergency meeting, fans discuss a boycott after the bidder news.

NOVEMBER 18: Fuming fans confront chairman Jim Ballantyne at the Excelsior Stadium after a humiliating 3-2 Scottish Cup defeat to Cove Rangers.

NOVERMBER 22: Zengin pulls out of a deal, while it is confirmed that the consortium expect to be named preferred bidder.

JANUARY 9 2018: Bobby Watson and the consortium finally seal the deal for the club, bringing in a new board and structure.

JANUARY 10: Director of football Gordon Dalziel steps down due to change in training schedules.

JANUARY 17: The new owners reveal the club will return to part-time football.

FEBRUARY 8: Stephen Findlay is handed an 18-month contract and a new title - manager. Marc Fitzpatrick is given the nod as number two.