JIMMY SANDISON is the first central defender to enter the Airdrie Greatest XI, with 41% of the overall vote.

 

JIMMY SANDISON
1991-2001
Edinburgh born Sandison started his career with Heart of Midlothian in 1983. When Alex MacDonald became Airdrie Manager in 1991, he made Sandison his first signing for around £100,000. He was immediately appointed Captain and would become a pivotal player in the team for the next ten years.

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Jimmy was everything a club could look for in a Captain - solid in defence, organising and encouraging his team mates at all times. Playing primarily as a sweeper, Jimmy was very much the last line of defence on many occasions, striking up an excellent understanding with goalkeeper John Martin - much to the dismay of many an opposing attacker.

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Jimmy was to Captain the team not only throughout his entire spell at the club but also during the club's most succesful spell since the 1920's. However his first season was to be blighted by controversy and heartbreak, firstly in the League Cup Semi-Final vs Dunfermline and its highly controversial late "penalty" awarded by referee David Syme. Jimmy would then go on to miss out on the chance to Captain the team in the 1992 Scottish Cup Final due to suspension. The fact that he never allowed these personal low points to affect his performances or duties as Captain is a testament to the player.

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Sandison would eventually have his chance to Captain the team in a Scottish Cup Final three years later in 1995 vs Celtic. He also played in four League Cup Semi-Finals, won the B&Q Cup in 1994 and Captained the team in both legs of their only appearance in European Football. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.