Airdrie legend Stephen Docherty admits he has concerns about a split in the Diamonds dressing room between full-time and part-time players.
The former captain played for both Airdrieonians and the reformed Airdrie United, scoring the first goal of the new incarnation before it reverted back to the historic name.
When he rejoined with the club, they were moving towards full-time contracts, but he also has experience of the transition during his time at Partick Thistle.
The hybrid system was implemented during John Lambie’s time at the helm, before it was scrapped by the Jags boss.
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Docherty feels it will be crucial to make sure that there is a real team spirit for next season if the club are to find success.
He believes Ian Murray and director of football Stuart Millar will have to unify the Penny Cars Stadium squad before the start of the next League One campaign.
“When I first came back to Airdrie they were moving away from part-time to full-time,” he told the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser.
“When I came in I knew it was going that way and I’m sure a lot of the boys did as well.
“We were on full-time wages, but it wasn’t a big wage. At that time I’m sure there was part-time players who were on better wages at their clubs.
“The one thing we did have was a brilliant team spirit, which was vital.
“You need to have that work ethic and a togetherness in the dressing room.
“It will be interesting to see how it goes at Airdrie this time. When I was at Partick Thistle under John Lambie this was what happened.
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“We had part-time and full-time players, but they were training separately and it wasn’t working. In the end John scrapped it.
“I would say what Airdrie need to make sure they do is not have a division. The team needs to be bonded. It can’t be that these are the full-time players, and these are the part-time players.
“At Thistle cliques formed and it didn’t help the club. It can’t be split, the team spirit needs to be there.
“It needs to be about Airdrie and going out there and doing well for the club.”
Docherty will be joining the Airdrieonians Supporters’ Trust at their end of season dinner and awards night on May 17.
He will be amongst a host of former favourites as the fan group present the 2018/19 Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards and induct the new members into the Hall of Fame.
