Latest news with #HamiltonAcademical
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Staying at Hamilton stadium 'could have finished Accies'
Buying New Douglas Park instead of moving to Cumbernauld next season could "almost certainly have finished" Hamilton Academical, chairman Jock Brown has Scottish Championship club have been relegated after receiving a 15-point penalty for various breaches of Scottish Professional Football League, including giving incorrect information to the governing body about stadium subsequently announced that they would be moving to Broadwood Stadium next season after deciding to stop renting their current ground from a company controlled by Colin McGowan, one of the club's former owners."It became impossible to stay at New Douglas Park and there is no other location at the moment available in the town which could house the club at this time," Brown told his club website. "We tried for many months to purchase the company which owns the stadium, which was the seller's preferred method of completing the transaction. The funds were in place, but the seller refused to provide all the normal information about the company – a standard, required procedure."Brown said Accies would have had to "buy the company without knowing what liabilities it had" and with no redress if there were any."That would have been irresponsible in the extreme and would almost certainly have finished the club," he said. Brown disputed a claim made by the seller that the club owed him rent in excess of £500,000, saying they owe "absolutely nothing" and that the terms of a two-year rent-free lease were "unacceptable".League 2 club Clyde will continue to rent New Douglas Park while looking for a permanent home in Glasgow as Accies say they are looking for a new arena site in their home recognised that moving to Clyde's former stadium in Cumbernauld would "affect our home support".However, he also stated that the experience of being tenants for the last two years were "totally unsatisfactory for the club in respect of players' facilities, hospitality, catering, cost, and general management of the stadium". Meanwhile, Brown promised to clarify soon what the future holds for their youth academy.
The Herald Scotland
02-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
We're all witnessing the death of Hamilton Academical
Make no mistake about it, Thursday, May 1, 2025 was the day when Hamilton Academical were finally put on the path to oblivion. Not only was the 15-point deduction imposed on them due to a series of infringements upheld by the SPFL, it was announced earlier in the day that they would be moving out of their New Douglas Park home to take up residence in Cumbernauld as the newest tenants of Broadwood. To underline the ridiculousness of it all, this came a day after Clyde, former Broadwood residents themselves, confirmed they would continue to play at New Douglas Park next season after doubts had arisen due to the fractured relationship between those who own Accies and those who own the stadium. So, effectively, Clyde and Accies have executed a stadium swap over the course of three years. Typically it's a tired, navel-gazing, stupid over-reaction when people say "only in Scottish football" but on this rare occasion it feels rather apt. The house-move comes about over a dispute regarding unpaid rent amid an attempt to purchase the ground. Such hopes are now, according to the statement Accies released, dead in the water. Instead, a decision has been made to vacate the premises, pitch up at Broadwood and explore the possibility of moving to a new stadium within the Hamilton area over the coming years. If that sounds far-fetched, it's because it is. On the whole, even Accies supporters don't believe this promise will come to fruition. As this paper covered earlier this year, Hamilton have been on the road to nowhere for quite some time due to a seemingly never-ending string of characters who have held control over the club but clearly not held its best interests at heart. This even stretches back to their Premiership days when crowds dwindled while they should have been booming. From then until now, disillusionment from the stands has continued to grow. Instead of trying to pacify or even win back the trust of an infuriated fanbase, owners and directors have treated the lifeblood of the club with nothing but contempt. The fractured relationship has only got worse, leading to a moment last month where a director was attacked in the aftermath of the club's relegation following the points deduction and a 0-0 home draw with Queen's Park, the latter of which officially sealed their fate. Scottish football sides have been forced out of their homes before and it'll inevitably happen again in the not-to-distant future. It's a far from ideal situation for a team to find themselves in and often leads to a slow decline from which it's difficult to recover. That's why it should only be treated as a last resort, or when there is literally no choice in the matter. This isn't the case this time and, what's more, it has been decided without any consultation from the support whatsoever – the same fans who are now expected to make a 28-mile round-trip every second Saturday to watch "home" games. With crowds already hugely on the decline and League One football awaiting them, it's hard to envision them maintaining their full-time status. There are hundreds who have previously hung on while empty seats around multiplied who will now have reached the end of their tether. They may still follow the team away from Broadwood, but it's clear to see that many are done giving money to those in charge. It'll precipitate a faster decline of the football club, but it seems preferable to watching it die slowly and painfully. And who knows, a rapid decline into the mire could even lead to a rescue coming from elsewhere, as we've often seen from SPFL clubs who suffer through extreme financial hardship. Supporters could even consider rallying together and starting again with a phoenix club. That is obviously easier said than done. Finding somewhere to play in Hamilton suitable for hosting hundreds of attendees would be an immediate hurdle and there would be several other financial and logistical stumbling blocks, but it can happen. We've seen it in England with AFC Wimbledon, while there's even a success story in Scotland to follow (enter Rangers joke here). Clydebank have won this season's West of Scotland Premier Division and are favourites to make it into the Lowland League next season. Once they achieve promotion, whether now or in the future, with a healthy fanbase for the lower levels fully behind them they're expected to make a push for a place back in league football. That's a journey which has taken over 20 years – though they were a Junior outfit for a lot of that – while the chances of them making it back to the spot they once occupied in the Scottish football structure seem remote, but it demonstrates a rebirth is possible. Besides, regardless of the level they're competing at, it just seems preferable to support a team you are proud of and feel connected to than one which simply doesn't belong to you anymore. I started off this column in an abrasive mood. Apologies, but while there has been some sorrow expressed for what the fans have been going through, so many others just seem to want to point and laugh. Not only does it underline the culture of self-interest which permeates throughout the Scottish game and reduces its ability to grow, it's also an attitude lacking in self-awareness. Because this could happen to your club; it falls into the wrong hands and then years down the line you're left with a husk of an institution which you once cherished. Good luck to Accies fans for whatever comes next. Unfortunately, they're going to need it.
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hamilton relegation confirmed as appeal dismissed
Hamilton Academical have had their relegation from the Scottish Championship confirmed after an independent tribunal dismissed their appeal against a 15-point imposed last month, the penalty for various breaches of Scottish Professional Football League rules took the South Lanarkshire club to the bottom of the one match remaining, away to leaders Falkirk on Friday, Accies are eight points behind Lanarkshire rivals chairman Jock Brown said in a website statement: "The club is obviously very disappointed at the outcome of the appeal to the SFA tribunal, where the decision of the SPFL tribunal was upheld with the result that the 15-point deduction stands."The board is prevented from making any further comment on the matter by SPFL regulations but will communicate further with supporters in early course."An independent disciplinary tribunal found Hamilton guilty of four offences, including the non-payment of players and not acting in "good faith" when dealing with the governing body about the removal of a previous transfer other charges relate to:Giving incorrect information to the league about stadium ownershipA late submission of their membership criteria for the seasonFailing to meet the required standard of Scottish FA licence to participate in the was also a fine of £9,000, £2,500 of which is suspended pending any further appeal decision comes hours after Accies revealed that they are planning to leave New Douglas Park amid a row over stadium ownership and rental and move into Clyde's former home at Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld. More to follow.
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Clyde to remain in Hamilton as Accies await hearing
Clyde have announced they will continue to play home matches in Hamilton "for the foreseeable future" following doubts over the League 2 club's New Douglas Park stadium is run by Hamilton Academical's former owners, with the both clubs paying rent to use month, Clyde had expressed fears that a five-year agreement signed in 2022 was under threat. Given the uncertainty, the SPFL agreed to extend registration details for next Clyde now say they are "in a position to commit to New Douglas Park for the foreseeable future".A club statement adds: "This has been a challenging time for the club and for the supporters. Having navigated it successfully, we must extend our thanks to those clubs and individuals who worked with us on alternative proposals. Their co-operation and professionalism has been greatly appreciated."Meanwhile, Hamilton Accies will have their case against a 15-point deduction heard on 1 it stands, Accies have been relegated from the Championship following the penalty for breaching multiple rules, including the "provision of incorrect information regarding stadium ownership".The Championship season ends on 2 May, with Hamilton away to leaders Falkirk.
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hamilton face relegation to League 1 after 15-point deduction
Hamilton Academical face being relegated from the Scottish Championship this weekend after they were deducted 15 points for breaching league Rankin's side were seven points clear of bottom side Airdrieonians but their punishment means they are now eight adrift at the foot of the second tier with nine points left to play SPFL revealed the club had been charged with four offences of breaching rules, and say an independent disciplinary tribunal found the Lanarkshire club to the league, the offences relate a failure to pay six players and not acting in "good faith" when dealing with the SPFL about the removal of a transfer ban following previous financial other charges relate to:giving incorrect information to the league about the ownership of the club's stadiuma late submission of their membership criteria for the seasonfailing to meet the required standard of Scottish FA license to participate in the was revealed earlier this month that Hamilton face leaving their New Douglas Park home because the ground is rented to them by the club's previous face Queen's Park at home on Saturday and need to win to avoid immediately dropping into League they do have a right to appeal the decision to the Scottish FA, which throws up the possibility of the season without knowing which league Accies will be in next season.
