Latest news with #JockBrown
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
SPFL club fan group hit back at accusations from board and say protest was only 'first step'
Supporters' group paint different version of events amid ban threat Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A group of Hamilton Accies supporters have strongly refuted allegations by club bosses that they were guilty of "appalling behaviour" during a protest against the board on Saturday. The recently-formed Accies Supporters' Association (ASA) staged a demonstration outside Broadwood Stadium ahead of their opening League One match of the season against Montrose amid anger over the club's move out of Hamilton to Cumbernauld after failing to secure a lease with the owners of New Douglas Park. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Supporters are also demanding a sit-down with club owner Seref Zengin and the board of directors, who they accuse of mismanagement after Accies were hit with several SPFL sanctions, including a 15-point deduction last season which resulted in relegation, and the recently imposed year-long transfer embargo for failing to fulfil tax obligations to HMRC. Hamilton fans' group Accies Supporters' Association are demanding a sit-down with club bosses after claiming they were wrongly accused of "appalling behaviour" during a protest on Saturday. | SNS Group Accies bosses vowed to take stern action against the "ringleaders" of the protest, including indefinite bans, after accusing them of abusing fellow fans and club staff with "police intervention" required. Hamilton chairman Jock Brown branded the actions of the supporters "completely unacceptable" in a strongly-worded statement posted on the club website on Monday. However, the fan group concerned have since contacted The Scotsman to paint a different version of events, insisting the protest was peaceful and that no police were called to the scene. The ASA - who call themselves a respected and elected association - also claim to have a meeting scheduled with the SPFL and Scottish FA at Hampden next week to discuss Accies' predicament. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad They say Saturday's protest was only the "first step" in a series of actions planned as they called for the board to show a "genuine willingness to rebuild trust" and start engaging with them. A banner reading 'Bring the Accies Home' is displayed outside New Douglas Park in Hamilton. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group A statement from the ASA read: "Following the club statement issued by chairman Jock Brown on August 4 regarding the protest prior to our opening league match against Montrose, the Accies Supporters' Association (ASA) feel we must respond. "To label last Saturday's peaceful demonstration as 'appalling behaviour' that 'necessitated police intervention' is not only a gross misinterpretation of events, but further proof of a board intent on alienating its own supporters and deflecting accountability for its failures. Contrary to the club's claims, there was no police presence at the protest. The statement is simply untrue. The stadium manager himself engaged directly with the ASA Chair and confirmed there had been no issues. "Rather than addressing the legitimate concerns of supporters, the board have once again resorted to blaming those who care most deeply about the future of this football club. Instead of engaging meaningfully, the leadership continues to dodge accountability, avoid dialogue, and manipulate the narrative. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "Let us be clear: the protest was organised in direct response to the club's ongoing mismanagement - most recently highlighted by a one-year transfer embargo - and the complete failure of the board to communicate openly with fans. It has been over a year since the last open forum was held. In that time, the ASA have organised multiple events and communications, while the club's hierarchy remain silent and unapproachable. What does it say about our leadership when the Supporters' Association are more present that those entrusted with running the club. You want fans to share your "dismay and anger" yet you won't even share a room with them. 'The choice is yours' "Saturday was not an isolated incident. It was the first step in a series of peaceful actions that will continue throughout the season until the board choose to sit down with supporters of the club. This should not be as an act of damage control, but as a sign of genuine willingness to rebuild trust. "We will not be silenced or intimidated by mischaracterisations or public blame. Our goal has always been, and will continue to be, to protect and fight for the club we love. The club's leadership must now decide: will it continue down a path of division and deception, or will it finally listen, engage and be held accountable?
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
SPFL club chairman launches shock blast at OWN fans as he brands scenes at weekend ‘nothing short of a disgrace'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HAMILTON ACADEMICAL chairman Jock Brown has launched a furious statement against 'people who have the audacity to call themselves Accies supporters.' The club chief has branded scenes surrounding a fans' protest on Saturday as 'nothing short of disgraceful.' Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Hamilton chairman Jock Brown (right) has hit out at a section of the club's fans Credit: Callan Media - Commissioned by The Sun 2 Hamilton are playing at Broadwood in Cumbernauld this season Credit: SNS It's been a difficult period for Hamilton who have been plunged into crisis. Accies were slapped with a 15-point deduction in April in relation to multiple SPFL rule breaches. That deduction effectively relegated the club, who finished bottom of the Championship and were consigned to League One football for this season. And less than two weeks ago, the club was hit with a transfer embargo that is due to last until the end of the season. Nonetheless, manager John Rankin was able to add three new players to the squad on the eve of the league kick-off at the weekend there. A cash row between the club's current hierarchy and the owners of New Douglas Park saw Hamilton dramatically LEAVE their home stadium. Upon announcing that shock move in early May, the club revealed they were planning on building a new stadium in the area. They also agreed a deal to play their home matches at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld. It's been a tricky time for Accies fans and a group of them decided to make their feelings known ahead of their opening League One fixture at the weekend. Around a 100 fans, including the Accies Supporters Association chief, protested before the match against Montrose. Players are running the Rangers dressing room - Martin knows EXACTLY what he's doing The stadium move was at the forefront of the fans' anger, with a banner placed outside the ground and T-shirts being worn reading "Hamilton for Accies." The group of fans also chanted for the exits of Hamilton owner Seref Zengin and director of football Gerry Strain. Red smoke bombs were also set off outside Broadwood. Two days on, Hamilton chief Jock Brown has released a furious statement in relation to the protests. He alleges that members of the group 'verbally abused decent supporters' and that police intervention ended up being required. Brown labelled the scenes on Saturday 'nothing short of a disgrace.' The chief also revealed the club are now taking steps to "ban the ringleaders of that shocking behaviour from all our matches." In a statement released to the club website, Brown said: "Our opening league match of the season on Saturday was blighted seriously by people who have the audacity to call themselves Accies supporters. "A 'protest' took place at Broadwood which necessitated police intervention and heaped shame on the perpetrators who verbally abused decent supporters collecting their tickets – including our oldest season ticket holder and a teenage boy, a minor, who were subjected to disgusting foul and abusive language. "I have always supported peaceful protest, so long as it shows complete respect to innocent members of the public. "What happened on Saturday was nothing short of a disgrace. "Not only were our decent supporters abused, but members of North Lanarkshire Council and club staff carrying out their match day duties. "That is all completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. "We are taking steps now to ban the ringleaders of that shocking behaviour from all our matches indefinitely. "We are well aware that Accies fans did not want to move away from Hamilton. "Neither did any member of the board. But we have already explained why staying at New Douglas Park was impossible. "No other location in Hamilton was suitable so the temporary move to Broadwood was necessary. "We have a two-year lease with an option for a further year. During that time we shall do everything possible to identify and develop a new site in Hamilton. "Meanwhile, we trust that all good Accies supporters will share the board's dismay and anger at the appalling behaviour on Saturday." SunSport has contacted Police Scotland for comment. On the pitch, Hamilton won the match 2-0 thanks to goals from Oli Shaw and Charlie Telfer, the latter of whom was playing as a trialist. Hamilton travel to take on Queen of the South in their next match on Saturday afternoon. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scotsman
7 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
'Nothing short of a disgrace' - SPFL club appalled by fan protest as ex-Celtic chief lets rip at own supporters
League One club vow to hand out indefinite bans Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hamilton Accies have vowed to ban a section of their own support indefinitely after accusing them of "appalling behaviour" during a protest against the board on Saturday. A group of Accies fans staged a demonstration outside Broadwood Stadium ahead of the opening League One match of the season against Montrose amid anger over the club's move out of Hamilton to Cumbernauld after failing to negotiate a lease with the owners of New Douglas Park. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Supporters are also demanding the exits of director of football Gerry Strain and club owner Seref Zengin after the club was hit with several SPFL sanctions, including a 15-point deduction last season, which resulted in relegation, and the recently imposed year-long transfer embargo for failing to fulfil tax obligations to HMRC. A banner reading 'Bring the Accies Home' is displayed outside New Douglas Park in Hamilton. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group However, Accies bosses have vowed to take stern action against the "ringleaders" of the protest, accusing them of abusing fellow fans and club staff with "police intervention" required. Hamilton chairman Jock Brown branded the actions of the supporters "completely unacceptable" in a strongly-worded statement posted on the club website on Monday. Brown, the former Celtic general manager, stated: "Our opening league match of the season on Saturday was blighted seriously by people who have the audacity to call themselves Accies supporters. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "A 'protest' took place at Broadwood which necessitated police intervention and heaped shame on the perpetrators who verbally abused decent supporters collecting their tickets – including our oldest season ticket holder and a teenage boy, a minor, who were subjected to disgusting foul and abusive language. "I have always supported peaceful protest, so long as it shows complete respect to innocent members of the public. What happened on Saturday was nothing short of a disgrace. Not only were our decent supporters abused, but members of North Lanarkshire Council and club staff carrying out their match day duties. Hamilton Accies chairman Jock Brown. | SNS Group "That is all completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We are taking steps now to ban the ringleaders of that shocking behaviour from all our matches indefinitely. "We are well aware that Accies fans did not want to move away from Hamilton. Neither did any member of the board. But we have already explained why staying at New Douglas Park was impossible. No other location in Hamilton was suitable so the temporary move to Broadwood was necessary. We have a two-year lease with an option for a further year. During that time we shall do everything possible to identify and develop a new site in Hamilton.
Scotsman
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
'Nothing short of a disgrace' - SPFL club appalled by fan protest ex-Celtic chief lets rip at own supporters
League One club vow to hand out indefinite bans Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hamilton Accies have vowed to ban a section of their own support indefinitely after accusing them of "appalling behaviour" during a protest against the board on Saturday. A group of Accies fans staged a demonstration outside Broadwood Stadium ahead of the opening League One match of the season against Montrose amid anger over the club's move out of Hamilton to Cumbernauld after failing to negotiate a lease with the owners of New Douglas Park. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Supporters are also demanding the exits of director of football Gerry Strain and club owner Seref Zengin after the club was hit with several SPFL sanctions, including a 15-point deduction last season, which resulted in relegation, and the recently imposed year-long transfer embargo for failing to fulfil tax obligations to HMRC. A banner reading 'Bring the Accies Home' is displayed outside New Douglas Park in Hamilton. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group However, Accies bosses have vowed to take stern action against the "ringleaders" of the protest, accusing them of abusing fellow fans and club staff with "police intervention" required. Hamilton chairman Jock Brown branded the actions of the supporters "completely unacceptable" in a strongly-worded statement posted on the club website on Monday. Brown, the former Celtic general manager, stated: "Our opening league match of the season on Saturday was blighted seriously by people who have the audacity to call themselves Accies supporters. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "A 'protest' took place at Broadwood which necessitated police intervention and heaped shame on the perpetrators who verbally abused decent supporters collecting their tickets – including our oldest season ticket holder and a teenage boy, a minor, who were subjected to disgusting foul and abusive language. "I have always supported peaceful protest, so long as it shows complete respect to innocent members of the public. What happened on Saturday was nothing short of a disgrace. Not only were our decent supporters abused, but members of North Lanarkshire Council and club staff carrying out their match day duties. Hamilton Accies chairman Jock Brown. | SNS Group "That is all completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We are taking steps now to ban the ringleaders of that shocking behaviour from all our matches indefinitely. "We are well aware that Accies fans did not want to move away from Hamilton. Neither did any member of the board. But we have already explained why staying at New Douglas Park was impossible. No other location in Hamilton was suitable so the temporary move to Broadwood was necessary. We have a two-year lease with an option for a further year. During that time we shall do everything possible to identify and develop a new site in Hamilton.
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hamilton Accies admit 'serious weaknesses in our finance and administration' following player ban
Hamilton Accies chairman Jock Brown has issued a statement admitting to 'serious weaknesses in our finance and administration departments' as the club consider appealing a season-long transfer embargo. The club were slapped with the sanction after admitting to three counts of failing to notify the SPFL it had been in default of its tax obligations to HMRC. That means they can only bring in players under-19 or who are amateurs. The statement reads: 'The decision of the SPFL Tribunal yesterday to extend our transfer embargo till the end of the season is obviously another massive blow to the club. The written decision is awaited and the question of appeal will be carefully considered at that time. READ MORE: Accies' fans group lashes out at 'alarming managerial and operational failures' after transfer ban READ MORE: SPFL hammer Hamilton Accies with a season-long transfer embargo 'The offences admitted related to serious weaknesses in our finance and administration departments – and to the dreadful circumstances which afflicted the operation of the club for the past two seasons. 'The finance and administration departments have now been completely revamped and the circumstances and environment which used to prevail have been consigned to the past. 'In addition to appointing a new chief finance officer and head of administration, the club is well along the process of negotiating new investment and strengthening the board. I expect to be able to report very positive news on this front in the near future. 'Please be assured that a complete overhaul of the club is underway after one of the most difficult periods in our history. What is needed most of all is the continued backing of our supporters for John Rankin and the team on the pitch.'
