Had Hamilton Accies been relegated on merit, I might still be there, says former skipper
Sean McGinty says he needed to take a clean break from Hamilton Accies, and reckons he might still be there had they been relegated on their own merit.
Captain McGinty exercised a relegation release clause when a 15-point deduction for off-field offences pitched Accies down to League One.
The English-born defender has since signed for Championship side Airdrie, where he will operate in a dual coaching role throughout the season.
But he admits his decision to leave New Douglas Park was a heavy one.
McGinty said: 'Last season was tough. I came in at the start of the season, we signed quite a few good players, and that's what drew me to Hamilton – a good squad, a good manager, he had success the year before.
'On the pitch we did really well. Coming up from League One to the Championship, to finish what would have been seventh was a good season for us.
'Obviously what happened happened, and it was really disappointing. As a playing group I thought we achieved what we needed to achieve, but unfortunately how it ended was really gutting for everyone.
'But I'm sure they'll bounce back and have a very good season.'
McGinty added: 'I had a relegation release clause and decided to activate that. Fortunately I've managed to secure myself a contract within the coming weeks, so I'm delighted to get it all sorted.
'It was a very stressful end to the season for everyone at Hamilton – we didn't know if we were staying up, or going down, so it's just nice to have a clean break and focus on the football.
'If we had been relegated, it was our own fault, and we deserved to go down, it might have been a different story - maybe I would have stayed.
'But I just think the way it all happened, I decided to make the move, and thankfully Airdrie have given me the option to sign for them and keep playing Championship football, which I'm delighted with.
'I'm just really looking forward to getting going, meeting the boys, and getting back out on the pitch.
'I'm really looking forward to getting going and it's quite an exciting challenge for myself.
'I'm sure it will be a very positive year.'
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