The club entered the Scottish Cup for the first time in 1875–76, its first Cup tie against Hamilton ending in a goalless draw, although Airdrie played "apparently with the motive that charging was the sole motive and end of the game".

[12] By 1884 the club was dwarfed by Airdrieonians - the new name for Excelsior - which boasted nearly six times as many members, and even the similarly moribund Airdriehill had a larger membership than Airdrie.

Airdrie's last competitive match was a 7–2 defeat to Airdrieonians in the 1884–85 Lanarkshire Cup second round, and the formal end for the club was its being struck from the SFA's register in August 1885.

[14] Its original colours were blue and scarlet jerseys and hose, with white knickers.

[15][16] In 1882 the club changed to white jerseys and knickers with black and white hose; in 1884 it added green tassels to the shirts, and changed the knickers and hose to green, perhaps reflecting its Irish links.