Gartcairn F. A. Juniors
| Full name | Gartcairn Football Academy Juniors | |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Cairns | |
| Founded | 2015 | |
| Ground | MTC Park, Airdrie | |
| Chairman | Robert McCallum | |
| Manager | Gerry Bonham | |
| League | West of Scotland League Central District Second Division | |
| 2015–16 | West of Scotland League Central District Second Division, 5th | |
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Gartcairn Football Academy Juniors, commonly referred to as Gartcairn Juniors, are a Scottish semi-professional football club from the town of Airdrie, North Lanarkshire who play in the Scottish Junior Football Association, West Region.
History
The Gartcairn Football Academy was founded in 2007 with two teams at under-8 and under-10 level.[1] Since that time, the club grew to involve seven hundred players and sixty coaches with teams from the youngest age groups up to an adult amateur side. Gartcairn decided to apply for membership of the Scottish Junior Football Association in 2015, to create an unbroken player pathway to semi-professional level and to provide a playing option for existing local talent in Airdrie and neighbouring Coatbridge.[2] Airdrie had previously had no representation at Junior level since the 1930s.
The Academy officially opened their own facility at St Margaret's High School in Airdrie in January 2014, however the Junior side initially had to play out of Coatbridge Outdoor Sports Centre due to certain ground criteria not being met.[3] The club were able to use to their own ground, named MTC Park, from January 2016 after alterations were made.[4]
The first team have been managed since March 2016 by Gerry Bonham.[5] The club attracted former Hibernian player Tam McManus out of retirement for their debut Junior season.[6]
References
- ↑ "About Us: In The Beginning". www.gartcairn.com. Gartcairn Football Academy. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- ↑ Paterson, Colin (25 June 2015). "'The hard work starts now': Gartcairn Juniors chairman Robert McCallum ready to get going". Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser. Daily Record. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- ↑ "Gartcairn Football Academy Launch New 3G Pitch". thescottishfootballpartnership.com. The Scottish Football Partnership. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- ↑ Paterson, Colin (27 January 2016). "Gartcairn get the green light to play home games in Airdrie". Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser. Daily Record. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- ↑ Paterson, Colin (25 March 2016). "It's a winning start for new Gartcairn boss Gerry Bonham". Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser. Daily Record. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ↑ Paterson, Colin (24 June 2015). "Former Hibernian star Tam McManus comes out of retirement to sign for Gartcairn Juniors". Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser. Daily Record. Retrieved 8 February 2016.