McCall starts Airdrie signing spree

Airdrie are now under consortium leader Jim Innes

Closure-threatened Airdrieonians have been given the green light to complete their remaining Scottish League Division One fixtures.

The news follows confirmation that the Fife-based consortium, led by Jim Innes, has been awarded preferred-bidder status.

Airdrie's new manager Ian McCall will now be able to field a side for the home fixture against Falkirk on Saturday and has been plunged into a race against time to sign enough players.

Joint interim liquidator Blair Nimmo said on Friday: "The deal tabled by the consortium offered the best value for creditors and presented the best chance of securing the long-term viability of the club.

Rejected another offer

"Without this deal, the club would have gone out of business.

Eddie May will play former club Falkirk

"We would also like to put on record our thanks for the support provided by the Scottish League and its constituent clubs during this difficult period."

The consortium still has to deal with a number of outstanding issues before finalising their acquisition of the club.

Any possible deal will be subject to approval by creditors and shareholders.

The joint interim liquidators also revealed that had rejected a further offer from would-be owner Steve Archibald.

So far signed

In a statement, they said: "While it represented an increase in his offer of 13 March, it was still substantially lower than his draft offer of July last year and, more importantly, was significantly lower than the consortium's offer."

Sean Sweeney returns to Airdrie colours

McCall was working flat out on Friday as he put together a line-up to turn out against Falkirk.

The former Clydebank and Morton manager has so far signed:

Goalkeeper: Allan Ferguson, formerly of Hamilton Academical.

Defender: Sean Sweeney, formerly of Clydebank.

Midfielders: Eddie May, recently released by Dunfermline Athletic, Craig McPherson from Clyde, Stuart Davidson from Kilmarnock.

Strikers: Robert Dunn, formerly of Partick Thistle, Scott Bannerman from Hibernian.

Also in negotiations with McCall were Allan McManus, who had been told he has no future at Livingston, former Airdrie midfielder Stuart Taylor, former Airdrie defender Eddie Forrest, who is presently injured, and former Rangers and Hearts defender Dave McPherson.

McCall also fixed up a number of the younger players who had been at Airdrie but who were out of contract at the club.

McCall admitted that he had been upset at the suggestion that he had to be escorted to his car on Thursday evening after a meeting with the supporters.

"We found the majority of the supporters were helpful and wanted the best for the club," he said.

Threatened a demonstration

"The first thing that has to be done is to play tomorrow or the club will not be in business.

Scott Bannerman arrives from Hibs

"And then our target is to stay in this division.

"After that, there will be a three-to-five year plan to build this club and get it into the Premier League."

Some fans still back Archibald and have threatened a demonstration.

But Innes said: "This will be a big day for Airdrie and for the community.

"New Broomfield is a beautiful stadium in which to play and watch football."

Archibald is believed to be preparing another bid of his own and it could be tabled after a meeting with Airdrie's creditors next week.