Airdrie hero concern

Legend Stephen Docherty fears missing out on the second tier could see Airdrie focus more on part-time football.

The Diamonds are all-but certain to be playing in League One when the new season starts after league reconstruction talks collapsed last week.

The former Broomfield skipper and Partick Thistle star was gutted to see Ian Murray’s side miss out as they sat just five points off of champions Raith before the fixture list was axed.

“There are so many teams who have lost out and Airdrie are one of them,”he said.“Even for Partick Thistle to get relegated with a game in hand is farcical in my opinion.

“For Airdrie, even to get into the play-off it gives you that wee chance. This season Airdrie put all their eggs in one basket. They brought in full-time players, and a full-time manager in Ian.

“They have basically got nothing out of the season; it’s really just null and void for them after spending all that money on full-time wages.

“You might see more part-time players now coming in because of this. How can they sustain it again? Airdrie were banking on going up and they need to be getting the bigger crowds.

“To start giving out league titles and rewarding teams, but doing nothing for others, doesn’t seem right.

“It’s the directors and the fans who you feel sorry for who have put their money in.

“They haven’t had the chance to win the play-off or go on a run to the title. Any successful team I played with went on a run from January onwards and Airdrie were capable of doing that.”