Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Coyle: I’m backing Diamonds
Success is just around the corner, says legend
Airdrie legend Owen Coyle believes the glory days are on the horizon again for the Diamonds.
The Broomfield hero will make his return to the Excelsior Stadium as part of the Readers’ Room Appeal Legends Charity match and has been keeping an eye on his former side.
Despite a seventh-place finish in League One last term, the 51-year-old reckons they are a club on the rise.
The former Burnley, Bolton and Ross County boss enjoyed three stints at the Monklands outfit, reaching cup finals and playing in Europe while wearing the Diamond. Coyle admits that some of the fan base was lost during the move to Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld after leaving Broomfield. However, he insists that there are a number of
positives behind the scenes following the recent consortium takeover that will give the supporters hope.
“It’s a club steeped in history,” Coyle told the Advertiser.
“Even something like the jersey is so unique. Wherever you go in the world people know that it is Airdrie. It’s a wonderful club and they are not alone in having to build themselves back up again.
“I still follow the club. Sandy’s boy Scott (Stewart) is doing really well and I’m friends with directors Gavin and Walter Speirs, who are positive about the future and have a real love of the club.
“With these kinds of people behind the scenes I have no doubts that they will continue to grow and become an even bigger part of the community.
“Going to follow a team can be tough and even tougher if you’re not in your own town so I think the move away from Airdrie was hard on a lot of people. If you don’t go once or twice it can be easy to stop going altogether.
“I hope that one day Airdrie can get back some of the support and get back to those past glories.”