Lanarkshire derby facts for kids

The Lanarkshire derby is a big football rivalry in Lanarkshire, Scotland. It involves matches between teams like Motherwell, Airdrieonians, Hamilton Academical, and Albion Rovers. Other teams like East Kilbride F.C., Cumbernauld Colts F.C., and Caledonian Braves F.C. are also part of this exciting local competition.

Motherwell vs Airdrie: The North-South Derby

This match is often called the 'north-south' derby. The first game between these two teams was on 11 August 1894. They played in the 1894–95 Scottish Division Two.

Their most recent game was in the NL Cup in 2023. Airdrie won that match with a score of 4-0.

A memorable game was in the semi-final of the 1974–75 Scottish Cup. Motherwell was playing very well back then. But Airdrie caused a big surprise by winning. They went on to play in the cup final.

These teams often played in the now-finished Lanarkshire Cup. Sometimes, their match was even the final game. When the competition ended in 1996, Airdrie had won 33 cups. Motherwell had won 32. This shows how important these clubs were in Lanarkshire.

After the original Airdrieonians team ended in 2002, a new team called Airdrie United started. This team is now called Airdrieonians again. Since then, the clubs have only played one official match. It was a Scottish Cup Third Round game on 7 January 2007. Motherwell won 1–0 at New Broomfield, with Richie Foran scoring the goal. Almost 6,000 fans watched the game. This was a record crowd for the new Airdrieonians at New Broomfield.

Some players have played for both clubs. These include Owen Coyle, Alan Gow, Lee Hollis, and Kenny Black. Coyle and Black even played for both the old and new Airdrieonians teams.

The two teams were in the same group for the 2020–21 Scottish League Cup. This was their first game in 14 years. Even though Airdrieonians was two divisions lower, they won the game 2–0. It was a great victory for them.

Motherwell vs Airdrie: Match Results

As of: 21 July 2021.

Motherwell vs Hamilton: The South Lanarkshire Derby

This match is sometimes called the South Lanarkshire derby. This is because Motherwell and Hamilton are the two most southern clubs of the four main teams. However, since 1996, only Hamilton is in the South Lanarkshire Council area. This game became a regular derby when Hamilton was promoted to the Scottish Premier League (SPL) in 2008. The rivalry continued until Hamilton was relegated in 2011. In the 2013–14 season, Hamilton won promotion again. This brought the derby back to the Scottish Premiership.

This derby has become very intense in recent years. There have been reports of objects being thrown between fans. Security has been increased with many police officers at games. During a game in the 2014–15 season, when Hamilton beat Motherwell 4–0, there were reports of fan misbehavior.

Before Hamilton's return to the top league in 2014, these clubs often played in the Lanarkshire Cup final. One time, ten fans needed hospital care after fights broke out. This happened because there wasn't enough security.

Since the 2008–09 season, Motherwell has won eleven games. Hamilton has won eight, and there have been six draws in 25 league matches.

Players like Miodrag Krivokapic, Richard Offiong, Stuart Elliott, and Simon Mensing have played for both clubs. Mensing even moved directly from Motherwell to Hamilton.

Motherwell vs Hamilton: Match Results

As of: 21 April 2021.

Hamilton vs Airdrie: North-South Lanarkshire Derby

This game is also known as the North-South Lanarkshire derby. Until 2007, this match happened often. Both clubs were usually in the same football division. These divisions were below the top SPL league. So, this match was not as famous as games involving Motherwell. Hamilton was relegated from the SPL, and Airdrie was promoted. This meant the game returned for the 2012–13 First Division season. Ricky Waddell is one player who played for both teams.

The two clubs played in the 2022–23 Scottish Championship play-off final in May 2023. Airdrie won the first game 1-0 at Excelsior Stadium. Hamilton won the second game 2–1 at New Douglas Park. But Airdrie won the overall match 6–5 after a penalty shootout. They took Hamilton's place in the Scottish Championship.

Hamilton vs Airdrie: Match Results

As of: 20 May 2023.

Albion Rovers vs Airdrie: The Monklands Derby

This game is traditionally known as the North Lanarkshire derby. This is because Coatbridge and Airdrie are very close towns, only about two miles apart. It's also sometimes called the Monklands derby. This name comes from the local council area that covered both towns from 1973 to 1994.

This derby has not happened very often. This is because the clubs are usually in different divisions. Also, the Lanarkshire Cup, where they used to play, no longer exists. In July 2010, the teams played at Cliftonhill stadium. Airdrie won 1–0. This was the first official game between them since the new Airdrieonians team was formed. About 1,000 fans watched the match.

Both teams played in the Second Division in 2011–12. Airdrie won three times. But Albion Rovers won one game with a big score of 7–2.

The two teams met in the Third Round of the 2019–20 Scottish Cup. Airdrie won that game 4–1 in Coatbridge.

Their last meeting was in a pre-season game in 2023/24, the Broadwood Cup. Airdrie beat Albion Rovers 5-0. Goals were scored by Nikolay Todorov, Cammy Ballantyne, and Gabby McGill.

Paddy Connolly is an example of a player who has played for both clubs.

Albion Rovers vs Airdrie: Match Results

Updated 23 November 2019.

Albion Rovers vs Motherwell

This is probably the least famous of the Lanarkshire derbies. Rovers have beaten Motherwell several times in Lanarkshire Cup games. Their most famous win was on 30 November 2013. They won 1–0 at New Douglas Park (Hamilton's home stadium) in the 2013–14 Scottish Cup 4th round.

Albion Rovers vs Motherwell: Match Results

As of: end of 2017–18 season.

Albion Rovers vs Hamilton

Coatbridge and Hamilton are only seven miles apart. So, this match is also considered a derby. The most recent game was a League Cup group match on 25 July 2017. It was played at Cliftonhill. The game ended in a 4-4 draw. Rovers won the extra point in a penalty shootout. Hamilton also shared Rovers' home ground for a short time. This was from 1994 to 2001 when Hamilton didn't have their own stadium. Since then, they haven't played an official game until recently. The two teams were drawn together in the 2020–21 Scottish League Cup group stages. This was their first match since 2003. However, Rovers could not play the game. This was due to problems from the COVID-19 pandemic. Hamilton was given a 3–0 win instead.

Albion Rovers vs Hamilton: Match Results

Updated 24 July 2021.

Overall Totals for Four Teams

As of: 20 May 2023.

Clyde: A Nearby Club

Clyde F.C. is sometimes thought of as a Lanarkshire club. When they first started, they were based in Bridgeton, Glasgow. Later, they moved to Shawfield, which was part of Rutherglen. Rutherglen was a town in Lanarkshire until 1975. Then it became part of Glasgow. However, Clyde usually played in the Glasgow Cup. Their main rivals were other Glasgow teams like Third Lanark and Partick Thistle. They didn't often play the town teams in Lanarkshire.

Clyde left Shawfield Stadium in 1986. They played at Partick's Firhill Stadium for five seasons. Then they played at Douglas Park, Hamilton Academical's home, for three seasons. Hamilton Academical also had to share a stadium later. In 1994, Clyde settled at the new Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld. This town is about 5 miles north of Coatbridge and Airdrie. Two years later, Cumbernauld became part of the North Lanarkshire council area. In the early 2000s, many people from Clyde moved to Hamilton Academical. This included investors, coaches, and players. This caused some bad feelings among the fans.

Also, one of Partick Thistle's biggest rivals is Airdrieonians.

Achievements of Lanarkshire Clubs

Up to and including season 2019–20.