We were saddened to receive the news that former Airdrie midfielder Kevin McCann passed away at the weekend.

A flamboyant winger, Kevin spent seven years at Broomfield in the 1970s, and wrote himself into Airdrie folklore when he scored for the Diamonds in the 1975 Scottish Cup Final - he remains one of only three players to achieve such a feat.

A member of the Airdrieonians Hall of Fame, Kevin was also shortlisted for the right-midfield position in the club’s Greatest XI in 2016. Our expert panel had this to say about the fans’ favourite:

“Kevin McCann was signed for the Diamonds from Carluke Rovers in 1972. Season 1972/73  saw the team relegated to Division 2, however Kevin was able to provide a spark in the gloom when he netted an 89th minute winner against Champions elect Celtic in a fantastic 2-1 Broomfield success. His wizardry on the ball was in evidence throughout the 1973/74 season when the Diamonds scored over a hundred goals en route to Second Division title success. Many of those goals came from McCann deliveries. 

“His dazzling control and ability to go one way, only to instantly change direction, would take him past any marker. Entertainment was part of his game, exemplified when he scored a memorable goal in a 4-0 rout of Raith Rovers after weaving his way past four players. The following season he was part of the team that ran Celtic close in the League Cup semi-final losing 1-0, a first team regular in the League side that finished in 11th position to miss out on the Premier League by a couple of points, and played a critical role in the 1975 Scottish Cup final in which Ian McMillan’s side were beaten 3-1 by Celtic - though Kevin had every Airdrieonians fan on their feet at Hampden when he fired home an equaliser close to half-time. His goal took him into the record books as one of only three Airdrie players to score in the Cup final. 

“When Ian McMillan left the manager’s position towards the end of the following season, Jackie Stewart had a two year spell in charge followed by Bobby Watson. Kevin was a regular fixture at the time, but called time with the Diamonds towards the end of the 1978/79 to head for Dumfries. He played for Queen of the South for four seasons before signing for Stenhousemuir. 

“During his time with Airdrie he made 185 appearances, scoring 20 goals and putting a smile on the faces of everyone who watched him grace the Diamond shirt over that seven year spell.”

Kevin passed away in St Andrew’s Hospice at the weekend, and his family got in touch with the club to share the sad news. They indicated that they would like to thank the staff at St Andrew’s for their wonderful care of Kevin in recent times.

The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Kevin’s family, friends and former team-mates.