Outgoing Diamond Dean Cairns believes he wasn’t given a chance to prove himself under Airdrieonians gaffer Ian Murray.
The 21-year-old has left New Broomfield for Lowland League side East Kilbride having been at the club since he was just 12.
The academy product was among a trio of players to exit the club in the past week, with Scott Robertson signing for Stranraer and Joao Victoria released.
Kieran MacDonald also looks set to leave Airdrie, with a transfer bid having been accepted from an unnamed club.
Cairns is looking forward to a fresh start outside of the senior league pyramid at ambitious Kilby, having been placed on the transfer list, but the gutted defender had hoped to be given a chance under Murray.
“I’ve been offered the chance to join East Kilbride, which I’ve decided to accept,” he told the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser.
“It’s a club with a lot of ambition and I’m looking forward to it, but I’m gutted to leave Airdrie.
“I’ve been at the club since I was about 12 or 13, so obviously moving on will be hard, but that’s football.
“Being put on the transfer list wasn’t a huge shock to be honest.
“I hadn’t played at all under the new manager so I had prepared myself for it.
“I don’t think I was given the opportunity to prove myself but that’s football and I had to accept the position I found myself in.”
Cairns’ tough-tackling style was developed in the youth academy, and saw him emerge as a fan favourite with his no-nonsense and committed play.
Looking back on his near decade of service, he says the support of the fans is something that will stay with him.
“There’s been a lot of moments I’ve enjoyed,” he continued.
“Progressing from the youth team into the first team was something I didn’t think I would achieve, to be honest.
“Scoring in the Monklands derby was a great moment and obviously winning Young Player of the Year two seasons ago was a personal achievement I will remember.
“There’s a few people at the club who I can’t thank enough for what they’ve done for me.
“The fans seemed to kind of like me which was a good feeling.
“I always gave 100 per cent and even though I maybe wasn’t the best technically gifted player I’m sure they appreciated that. I wish them all the best and I will miss playing for Airdrie.”
