Hamilton relegation confirmed after appeal dismissed

The Herald Scotland

01-05-2025

The club earlier announced they are set to relocate to Broadwood and make plans to build a new stadium in Hamilton after rejecting a proposal to continue leasing New Douglas Park from the club's former owner.
An appeal against sanctions imposed by the Scottish Professional Football League last month was dismissed by an appeal panel convened by the Scottish Football Association.
Hamilton fans suffered a double whammy (Jeff Holmes/PA)
They received the bulk of the punishment – a 12-point deduction – over a failure to notify the league of wage defaults to six players and 'failure to act with the utmost good faith' in representations to the SPFL board over the lifting of a transfer embargo following previous tax and wage defaults.
They were deducted a further three points over the downgrading of their SFA club licence and received a £9,000 immediate fine after being charged with giving incorrect information on stadium ownership and the late provision of their membership criteria submission for next season.
Accies chairman Jock Brown declared the club were 'obviously very disappointed' at the outcome and added: 'The board is prevented from making any further comment on the matter by SPFL regulations, but will communicate further with supporters in early course.'
Supporters now face a 28-mile round trip to Cumbernauld for home games in League One next season.
🏟 We are pleased to confirm that we will continue to play home matches in Hamilton for the 2025/26 season. https://t.co/OEgccDdF0A
— Clyde FC (@ClydeFC) April 30, 2025
Accies announced their impending move 24 hours after Clyde, former tenants at Broadwood, confirmed that they would continue playing at New Douglas Park next season.
Former Accies owner Colin McGowan last week issued a public offer to the club for a one-year rent-free use of the stadium as the two parties negotiate a purchase.
Reports last week claimed that the club owed £260,000 for using it in the two seasons since Seref Zengin's takeover.
However, Brown declared that they cannot accept the deal.
Hamilton are set to leave New Douglas Park (Jane Barlow/PA)
Brown wrote in a statement: 'In the first instance the balance in respect of the funds accruing between the parties over the past 22 months is substantially in favour of the club, so any postponement of settlement of the appropriate balance is inappropriate. The club is not indebted to the owner.
'Second, the terms of the only new draft lease provided so far are unacceptable.
'Third, the club's experience of being tenants over the past 22 months has been thoroughly unsatisfactory.'
Brown claimed funds were available to purchase the company that owns the stadium but accused the seller of failing to provide routine due diligence or 'necessary warranties'.
'In such circumstances any purchase would be irresponsible and has thus been rendered unachievable,' he added.
Hamilton are set to play at Broadwood (Jeff Holmes/PA)
The statement added: 'Arrangements are now being made to relocate the club from the start of next season to Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld, with the long-term aim of building a new stadium in Hamilton. Discussions with South Lanarkshire Council have started in order to identify a suitable location.
'The board is now carefully considering several innovative options around fan engagement and season ticket support relating to the relocation.'
Accies previously played outside of Hamilton – at Firhill and Cliftonhill – for seven years after selling former ground Douglas Park to a supermarket. They moved into New Douglas Park, which is adjacent to their old home, in 2001.