Airdrie full-time status assured

Ballantyne had warned that Airdrie could go part-time

Airdrie United chairman Jim Ballantyne has vowed to fund full-time football next season - even if the club fail to gain promotion to Division One.

Ballantyne warned fans last month that an average attendance of 700 and a lack of external investment could see the club go part-time.

However, the chairman said the club would remain full-time irrespective of the result in the play-off with Clyde.

He praised supporters after they pledged to help fund the club's future.

Ballantyne said the club needed crowds of about 1,200 at Excelsior Stadium to ensure it remains viable.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to Airdrie's full-time decision

"It's very hard financially for us and it was important that we got that message across to the fans," he said.

"We need them to support us and commit. The signs have been good and they've shown they will back us next season.

"But we still need more people coming through the gates."

Ballantyne said the play-off games against Clyde were probably "the biggest in the club's short history".