SCOTTISH football suffered another blow yesterday when Airdrieonians were placed in full liquidation.
The announcement came hard on the heels of Motherwell, another North Lanarkshire club, being put into administration, and the continuing struggle of Scottish premier league clubs to agree a television deal.
Airdrie, founded in 1878, could share the fate of Third Lanark which went to the wall 35 years ago. Doubts also remain about Clydebank and Morton.
Tony Higgins, leader of the players' union, said the past week had been one of the blackest times in the history of Scottish football. Jack McConnell, first minister, said: ''This is a tragedy for the local community.''
KPMG, administrators for Airdrie, said it had failed to find a buyer after two years. The club has debts of about (pounds) 3m. Its assets have been put up for sale: the 10,000 seater Shyberry Excelsior Stadium, a small retail unit in Airdrie town centre, and the Airdrie FC name. If a buyer is found for the name, and local businessmen were said to be interested, the club could be resurrected. But its first division status no longer exists.
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