Airdrieonians legend Kenny Black believes that the full-time ‘hybrid’ can see the Diamonds return to the “upper echelon of Scottish football”.
Black was the last manager to lead the Penny Cars Stadium side to a trophy as he lifted the Challenge Cup back in 2008, before the club went part-time in 2009.
Since his departure, "It gives us an opportunity" Full-time 'hybrid' future laid out by Airdrieonians Director of Football Stuart Millar , bouncing around the lower reaches of the second tier and the centre of League One.
The 55-year-old was a midfield star during the Broomfield mens most successful era, when the plucky side were narrowly defeated by Tommy Burns’ Celtic in the 1995 Scottish Cup Final. Black was also part of the 1992 cup final run, but missed the big day at Hampden against Rangers through suspension.
He further cemented his place in the history books when he took to the field for the European Cup Winners’ Cup loss to Sparta Prague, as the club competed in the top two divisions during his successful eight-year spell.
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Black, who made more than 250 appearances in a Diamonds shirt, admits that it will be tough for the current crop to hit those heights again, but he feels the ambitious plans of club bosses to mix full-time and part-time players next
term will offer a glimmer of hope after a mostly dismal decade.
The current Scunthorpe United assistant boss says the club should set a realistic goal of climbing out of League One – despite the struggles of current Championship sides.
The former Motherwell and Rangers assistant is optimistic about seeing the Diamonds battling at the top level and competing for trophies again soon.
“You have to take your hat off to the people behind the scenes,” he told the Advertiser. “They are trying to make a fist of it. It looks like the owners are backing them to go and try and make a mark in Scottish football again.
“When I was playing we were in the top division, making cup finals and in Europe.
“That’s a distant memory for the fans now, and some who go won’t even remember it.
“My best days at Airdrie were at the old Broomfield, but we did win the Challenge Cup.
“They’ve had a tough time of it since then, but if they can add good part-time players to a full-time squad I don’t see why they can’t create those special days again.
“They might not be able to get to European level, but if they have the ambition to bring in full-time players and get close to that standard again, it’s good news for the supporters.”
Black went on: “To get back to the top flight would be a big, big ask.
“The wheels of time don’t stop for anyone. There are so many established clubs in the top flight, and ambitious Championship sides looking to get promoted. Even getting to the second tier is a challenge now for smaller clubs.
“You go down the leagues and you see Raith Rovers. They are a big club with a big fan base bursting to get back to the Championship.
“Clubs like Partick Thistle, Falkirk and Morton are all trying to have a positive end to their season.
“Dundee United are a giant club in Scottish terms, but they are having to settle for a promotion play-off spot.
“For Airdrie, it’s about the small steps that can get them back to the upper echelons of Scottish football, and hopefully the hybrid model is something that does it for them.”
With manager Ian Murray and Director of Football Stuart Millar leading the summer overhaul, Black says it will be important to strike a balance with the part-time recruits.
He admits that they risk missing out on players who have work commitments, and losing the core of the team from this year’s disappointing campaign.
During his final year he had to find his own formula and says the duo now at the helm will have to come up with a suitable training regime if they hope to put out a competitive team.
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The ex-gaffer explained: “I’ve seen the combination of full-time and part-time before, and it works if you have the part-time players coming in a couple of days a week to train with the full-time players.
“Full-time training is great, but if you are going to be signing the best part-time players you have to make sure they are integrated properly. That is a balance that the club will have to find.
“It’s also a balance for the players. Some players won’t work during the day and will be able to come to morning sessions, and others will work during the day and only be able to come on the odd night.
“They might have to make a choice between their jobs and football.
“People have lives and good jobs outside of the game. That can give you security, when football is an insecure job.
“When I was at Airdrie we only had a couple of players who were part-time and we made sure that they were at at least two sessions.
“You have to make sure each player is happy and can buy into the environment you are creating, and that they can still be an important part of the team.”
A decade in the doldrums for the Diamonds...
SEASON 2008/2009
Manager: Kenny Black
Division: First Division
Final standing: Ninth
Season defining moment: Airdrie lift the Challenge Cup with a penalty shoot-out win over Ross County.
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SEASON 2009/2010
Manager: Kenny Black
Division: First Division
Final standing: Ninth
Season defining moment: The Diamonds are sent down in the playoff by Brechin, who win home and away ties.
SEASON 2010/2011
Manager: Jimmy Boyle
Division: Second Division
Final standing: Sixth
Season defining moment: Airdrie showcase their sleeping giant status, as the clash with Livingston at Almondvale brings in over 1800 punters – the highest in the third-tier that term.
SEASON 2012/13
Manager: Jimmy Boyle
Division: First Division
Final standing: Bottom (relegated)
Season defining moment: Promoted as part of the league restructuring as Rangers drop down the leagues, the Diamonds are shown to be out of their depth as Partick Thistle who run riot in the 7-0 win.
SEASON 2013/14
Managers: Jimmy Boyle, Gary Bollan
Division: League One
Final standing: Sixth
Season defining moment: Airdrie are obliterated at the Excelsior Stadium by Rangers 6-0 as the Old Firm giants climb through the divisions.
SEASON 2014/15
Managers: Gary Bollan
Division: League One
Final standing: Fifth
Season defining moment: The New Broomfield side are pipped to the playoff places, this time by Brechin, on the last day of the season.
SEASON 2015/16
Managers: Gary Bollan, Eddie Wolecki Black, Danny Lennon.
Division: League One
Final standing: Fifth
Season defining moment: Airdrie miss out on a top four finish again on the final day of the season to Stranraer.
SEASON 2016/17
Managers: Kevin McBride, Mark Wilson.
Division: League One
Final standing: Third
Season defining moment: The full-time Diamonds are knocked out in the Championship play-off semi-final penalty shoot-out against Alloa.
SEASON 2017/18
Managers: Gordon Dalziel, Willie Aitchison, Stephen Findlay
Division: League One
Final standing: Seventh
Season defining moment: Full-time Airdrieonians are humbled 7-1 by Arbroath at Gayfield.
SEASON 2018/19
Managers: Stephen Findlay, Ian Murray.
Division: League One
Current standing: Sixth
Season defining moment: Airdrie fail to capitalise on East Fife’s top four slip up, and lose 1-0 in front of the TV cameras in their clash with Stenhousemuir.
