The Gartcairn Football Academy was founded in 2007 with two teams at under-8 and under-10 level.[1] Since that time, the club grew to involve 700 players and 60 coaches with teams from the youngest age groups up to an adult amateur side. Gartcairn decided to apply for membership of the Scottish Junior Football Association in 2015, to create an unbroken player pathway to semi-professional level and to provide a playing option for existing local talent in Airdrie and neighbouring Coatbridge.[2] Airdrie had previously had no representation at Junior level since the 1930s.
The academy officially opened their own facility at St Margaret's High School in Airdrie in January 2014, however the Junior side initially had to play out of Coatbridge Outdoor Sports Centre due to certain ground criteria not being met.[3] The club were able to use to their own ground, named MTC Park, from January 2016 after alterations were made.[4]
Entering the SJFA West Region's bottom tier, Central District Division Two, the club finished 2nd in 2017–18 and gained promotion. The following season, they became champions of West League One to gain promotion to the second tier of the West Region structure.
After the move to the West of Scotland Football League in 2020, the club consolidated their position in the Conferences and then won the First Division title in 2022–23 to gain promotion to the Premier Division.
