Lanarkshire derby facts for kids

The Lanarkshire derby is a big football rivalry in Lanarkshire, Scotland. It's when any two of these teams play each other: Motherwell, Airdrieonians, Hamilton Academical, and Albion Rovers (from Coatbridge). Other local teams like East Kilbride F.C., Cumbernauld Colts F.C., and Caledonian Braves F.C. are also part of this exciting rivalry.

Motherwell vs Airdrie: A Classic Rivalry

• First game: 11 August 1894, 1894–95 Scottish Division Two
• Next game: To be confirmed.

This match is often called the 'north-south' derby. The teams last played in the NL Cup in 2023, where Airdrie won 4-0.

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

These teams often met in the Lanarkshire Cup, which was a local competition. Sometimes, their match was even the final! When the competition ended in 1996, Airdrie had won 33 cups and Motherwell had won 32. This showed how important both clubs were in Lanarkshire.

The original Airdrieonians club closed down in 2002. A new club, Airdrie United (now called Airdrieonians again), was formed. Since then, the teams have only played one competitive game. This was a Scottish Cup Third Round match on 7 January 2007. Motherwell won 1–0 with a goal from Richie Foran. The crowd of 5,924 was the biggest for the new Airdrieonians at their New Broomfield stadium.

Some players have played for both clubs, like 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 meeting in 14 years. Even though Airdrieonians were two divisions lower, they won the game 2–0.

Motherwell vs Airdrie: Game Results

As of: 21 July 2021.

Motherwell vs Hamilton: The South Lanarkshire Derby

• First game: 22 September 1888, 1888–89 Scottish Cup
• Next game: To be confirmed.

This match is sometimes called the South Lanarkshire derby. Motherwell and Hamilton are the two most southern clubs of the four main teams. 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. After being relegated in 2011, Hamilton earned promotion again in 2014 to the Scottish Premiership, bringing the derby back.

This derby has become more intense in recent years. There have been reports of objects being thrown between fans. Police presence is often high around the stadiums.

Before Hamilton's promotion in 2014, these clubs also played in the Lanarkshire Cup. Sometimes, their match was the final.

Since the 2008–09 season, Motherwell has won eleven league 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. Simon Mensing even moved directly from Motherwell to Hamilton.

Motherwell vs Hamilton: Game Results

As of: 21 April 2021.

Hamilton vs Airdrie: North-South Lanarkshire Derby

• First game: 8 September 1883, 1883–84 Scottish Cup
• Next game: To be confirmed.

This game is also called the North-South Lanarkshire derby. Until 2007, these teams played each other often because they were in the same division. These games were not as high-profile as matches against Motherwell. Hamilton was relegated from the SPL, and Airdrie was promoted. This meant the game was played again in the 2012–13 First Division season. Ricky Waddell is a player who played for both clubs.

The two clubs met 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. However, Airdrie won the overall match 6–5 in a penalty shootout. This meant Airdrie took Hamilton's place in the Scottish Championship.

Their most recent game was on 8 March 2025 in a Championship match. Both teams were trying to avoid relegation. Airdrie won 2–1 with a late goal from Gavin Gallagher.

Hamilton vs Airdrie: Game Results

As of: 8 March 2025.

Albion Rovers vs Airdrie: The Monklands Derby

• First game: 1 January 1920, 1919–20 Scottish Division One
• Next game: TBC

This game is 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.

These teams are usually in different divisions, so they don't play each other very often. They played in July 2010 at Cliftonhill stadium. Airdrie won 1–0. This was the first competitive game between the two clubs since the new Airdrieonians team was formed. About 1,000 fans watched the game.

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 played in the Third Round of the 2019–20 Scottish Cup. Airdrie won 4–1 in Coatbridge.

The last time they played was in the 2025/26 pre-season. Airdrie beat Albion Rovers 7-0. Goals were scored by Lewis McGrattan, Sean McGinty, Craig Ross, Chris Mochrie, Cammy Cooper (two goals), and Dylan MacDonald.

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

Albion Rovers vs Airdrie: Game Results

Updated 23 November 2019.

Albion Rovers vs Motherwell: A Less Common Derby

• First game: 18 October 1919, 1919–20 Scottish Division One
• Next game: To be confirmed.

This is probably the least famous of the Lanarkshire derbies. Albion Rovers has 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: Game Results

As of: end of 2017–18 season.

Albion Rovers vs Hamilton: Close Neighbours

• First game: 9 January 1904, 1903–04 Scottish Division Two
• Next game: To be confirmed.

Coatbridge and Hamilton are only seven miles apart, so this is also considered a derby. The most recent game was a League Cup group match at Cliftonhill on 25 July 2017. The game ended 4-4, and Rovers won the bonus point in a penalty shootout. Hamilton also shared Rovers' stadium for a short time from 1994 to 2001 when they didn't have their own home ground.

The two teams were drawn together in the 2020–21 Scottish League Cup group stages. This was meant to be their first match since 2003. However, Rovers could not play the game due to problems from the COVID-19 pandemic. Hamilton was given a 3–0 win.

Albion Rovers vs Hamilton: Game Results

Updated 24 July 2021.

Overall Totals for the Four Main Teams

As of: 8 March 2025.

Clyde: A Lanarkshire Connection

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 in Rutherglen. Rutherglen was part of Lanarkshire until 1975. However, Clyde usually played in the Glasgow Cup. Their main rivals were other Glasgow teams like Third Lanark and Partick Thistle.

Clyde left Shawfield Stadium in 1986. They played at Partick's Firhill Stadium for five seasons. Then they played at Douglas Park, home of Hamilton Academical, for three seasons. In 1994, they moved to 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, some important people and players moved from Clyde to Hamilton Academical. This caused some bad feelings among the fans. Also, one of Partick Thistle's big rivals is Airdrieonians.

Achievements by Lanarkshire Clubs

Up to and including season 2019–20.