STAFF MOVEMENTS
As well as an overhaul of the management team and playing squad, there were a number of changes among the club’s staff at the tail end of last season and over the summer.
 
Two new associate directors have come on board as Stuart Millar and Brian Hamilton return to the club.
 
Stuart needs no introduction, having represented the club as a player, director of football, and club ambassador in the past. After leaving his scouting position with Ross County in the summer, Stuart took us up on our invite to take on yet another role with the Diamonds, and as always his advice will prove invaluable.
 
Brian Hamilton is a former stalwart of Scottish football who represented both Hearts and Hibs, winning the League Cup with the latter having already lifted the Scottish Cup with St Mirren. Now the managing director of pitch installation company SGS Grass, Brian assisted with coaching in the club’s academy set-up last season, and now brings his considerable experience to the boardroom.
 
We are also pleased to welcome ex-Diamond John Lapsley to the club in an ambassadorial role. John joins Willie McGuire, Bobby Watson, and Brian McPhee as a representative of the club and will prove an excellent addition.
 
Lifelong Airdrie fans Russell Clarke and Des Walker joined Iain Allison’s matchday operations team last season, and both will continue in their roles having settled in seamlessly.
 
Last but by no means least, we are pleased to have performance analyst Maisie Biggar assisting the coaching staff. Last season Maisie completed a placement with the club on the way to achieving her university masters degree, and as a dyed-in-the-wool Diamonds fan, she was happy to return to lend her expertise this season.
 
Continuing in their existing roles are our safety team of Davie McIver (safety officer), Kenny Reid (deputy safety officer) and Bobby McDonald (security supervisor), and our media team of Stuart Mathie, Neil Pardoe, Rob Taylor, Andrew Duffy, Arran Ewart, and longstanding match photographer Robert Dalzell. The key points of contact for stadium matters and pitch hire will remain Heather Allan (manager) and Raymond Walker. Child Welfare and Protection Officer Derek Rolink continues assisting the club in this vital role. We thank all of the above for their unerring commitment to the fantastic jobs that they do!

A directory detailing all of the club’s staff can now be found on the website at airdriefc.com/club-directory
 
NEW KITS ARE A HIT
Our fantastic new Puma kits are selling like the proverbial hot cakes, and the feedback received by club shop staff is overwhelmingly positive, with the deeper diamond on the home and away kits proving to be a popular feature.
 
Steven Dow of Football Nation, who run the clubstore, pointed out that the black away kit is almost matching the home kit in terms of sales, which suggests that it’s on the way to become one of the best sellers yet. The shop is well stocked with all three kits as well as a whole new range of Puma gear and Airdrieonians merchandise – be sure to pop in and check it out!
 
THE TREATMENT ROOM
The medical team were pleased to see Adam Devine and Dylan MacDonald return to full training and competitive action following injuries and provided an update on the other sidelined players. 
 
Dapo Mebude has resumed full training with a view to being included in the matchday squad for Saturday’s trip to Cove Rangers, while fellow muscle-strain victim Zac Butterworth is expected to be a number of weeks away from a return. Defender Mason Chisholm remains sidelined with a hip injury proving more problematic than expected, and his progress will continue to be monitored. Newly appointed club captain Cole McKinnon remains on track with his recovery, stepping up his fitness regime with a view to returning to full training in the coming weeks.
 
AND FINALLY…
The squad were in for their headshots this week, and as always there were a few mocking voices when the goalkeepers posed for goal celebration shots. On this occasion the keepers had the last laugh, as both summer signings have a senior goal to their name – Jamie Sneddon for Partick Thistle against Cove Rangers, and Ruairidh Adams for Edinburgh City against Queen of the South. A small victory for the goalies union!