The Airdrieonians Supporters’ Trust have issued a last-ditch plea to meet with the Diamonds hierarchy after a row erupted over kids football camps.
The fan group revealed that they would be running a free ‘Diamonds in the Community’ Football Camp on May 6 and May 7 at MTC Park.
However, less that 24 hours later the club revealed that they would be welcoming Empire School of Football to the Penny Cars Stadium on the exact same days.
The Trust have been at odds with the Diamonds hierarchy since Trust chairman Willie Marshall stepped down from the board.
Marshall revealed to the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser that they had approached the club to book these dates in May “months ago” and “were told that we couldn’t.”
“We approached them again last week and didn’t hear anything back,” he said.
“We then heard last week that Empire were doing the camps, so we changed what we were doing.
“We know the kids we want to help with this because we have been doing it for 18 months.
“It’s not like this is a money making exercise for us, it’s for the community benefit of the club. With the last Easter Camp we were working at a loss.
“Two apprentices were kept on at the club by the Trust paying them to help organise and coach the camps, we brought back Bryan Prunty to do our Easter Camps because he is a real star to Airdrie fans.
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“We’ve tried to reach out to the board as ideally we would work with the club and the stadium to go forward. We just want to be a part of the club and get going.
“We hope we can sit down from someone at the end of the season and resolve things.”
The Supporters’ Trust will also be holding an open meeting for fans on May 2 at The Tudor Hotel in Airdrie.
Former Albion Rovers’ coach Tony McMinn revealed that 30 places out of the 50 course gone by the time the club camp was announced.
It is understood coaches will be paid around £10 an hour with costs covered by the Trust.
McMinn said the supporters group had been ”desperate to do something like this.”
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He continued: “The Trust got in touch with me and asked if I could provide the coaches. I seen it as doing some social good and giving a wee bit back.
“For me it’s about getting four of my coaches in work, and getting kids active.
“We have had a great relationship with the guys on the Trust and hopefully they can get together with the guys from the club and work this out.”
Airdrieonians Director of Football Stuart Millar said the club would not be commenting on the Football Camp situation.
Empire School of Football director and owner Malcolm Mclean added: "Empire School of Football is an independent, professional coaching company who are only using the facilities of the Penny Cars stadium to run their professional coaching services and camps.
"Empire currently coaches seven days a week running mostly individual coaching sessions while also having a Girls Academy and LIL KICKERS class which is for 3-5 year old. Empire also has a sister company called Empire School of Dance which also runs dance classes’ through-out the week and holiday camps for kids in the local area.
"Empire School of Football does not see any camp as a rival as our aim is to help develop kid’s technical ability, understanding of the game and confidence through their love of football. Any other camp or coaching company who have the same beliefs will only receive support from Empire School of Football and Dance.
"We are not involved or in partnership with Airdrie FC as a club but are very grateful to be given the opportunity to use their fantastic facilities to help better kids development within football in a fun, safe environment."
