Latest news with #NewDouglasPark
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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 claimed. The 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 ownership. Accies 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. 'Intense' Livingston & fired-up Thistle seek edge Airdrie to meet Cove in Championship play-off final - round-up "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 town. Brown 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.
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.
Scottish Sun
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
SPFL club ask for ‘special delivery' with surprising contents to go to new home stadium amid Hamilton Accies drama
HAMILTON Academical have been hit with a number of blows in the last few weeks. A 15-point deduction and a four-figure fine were handed to them for a number of rule breaches including failure to pay players and provide correct information on stadium ownership. 5 John Rankin's side were relegated following point deduction drama Credit: SNS 5 Accies now face an exit from New Douglas Park Credit: SNS The club appealed these sanctions to the SFA but the verdict delivered just one day before the end of their season was that the charges would stick, consigning them to relegation to League One for the next campaign. As fan tensions grew board members were attacked at the home ground of New Douglas Park. And with crisis unfolding the owner of the stadium offered to defer Accies' debts and house them rent free for a year amid uncertainty that they could stay. However the club confirmed they wouldn't accept the deal and would instead move temporarily to Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld. They called their tenancy at NDP 'thoroughly unsatisfactory' and stated that the long-term aim is to build a new stadium in Hamilton. They also confirmed they would remain a full-time outfit for their third-tier charge in 2025-26. But where it gets even more complicated is that League Two team Clyde had been ground sharing New Douglas Park in place of their previous home... of Broadwood Stadium. They have had relocation troubles of their own so the scene now is that, for the foreseeable future, Accies will play at Clyde's home and vice-versa. A statement from the fourth-tier side said: "On April 3rd, we announced that we did not have sufficient clarity as to the intentions of our host club to confirm that our tenure at New Douglas Park would continue beyond the current season. "As the circumstances were entirely beyond our control, the SPFL agreed a period of grace beyond the registration deadline in order to achieve a solution. Moment fuming Hamilton Accies fans call for the exit of director of football Gerry Strain after their home defeat to Morton "Although we are no clearer on the circumstances which precipitated the uncertainty in the first place, we have notified the SPFL that we are, nonetheless, in a position to commit to New Douglas Park for the foreseeable future. "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." And since their immediate future was secured they enjoyed a great run-out on the turf they had to fight to continue playing on. League winners Peterhead visited and were put to the sword 6-1 by Clyde, which has led to an interesting reward coming their way. Popular football forum Pie and Bovril vowed to send 60 Freddos in a gag spanning several years which sees random winners given the sweet treat. The club expressed their gratitude and made sure the delivery destination was clear, posting: "6 goals = 60 Freddos. We like that math! 5 Accies will relocate temporarily to Broadwood Stadium Credit: Alamy 5 But Clyde will continue to play at NDP Credit: SNS 5 A box of Freddos are being sent to the League Two side at their new home Credit: Ray Collins "Special delivery to New Douglas Park please." New Broadwood settlers Accies however don't have as much cause to celebrate with endless chocolate. The most recent update from their chairman ahead of a tough year reads in full: "Following the Board's statement on receipt of the disappointing outcome of the SFA Appeal Tribunal hearing we require to make it clear once again that while we would like to expand on the circumstances relating to the charges, and the defences submitted, we are unable to do so without breaching SPFL Regulations. "However, now that relegation has been established, we can clarify that the following decisions have been taken: "1. The club will do what it must do in times of adversity – it will fight with relentless determination to achieve promotion back to the Championship at the earliest opportunity, ideally next season, and look to progress further in the future. "2. The club will remain full-time. "3. The Academy will remain a vital factor in the club's future. The development of youth remains at the forefront of our thinking and planning. Following the temporary relocation to Broadwood new arrangements will be made imminently to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of the football education of our valued youngsters. These arrangements will be communicated to parents in early course. It is also the club's intention to retain elite status for the academy. "4. The club will be making strategic appointments to the Board aimed at strengthening its overall leadership, governance and long-term direction. "5. On the basis that the Board agrees with supporters that the club should be based in Hamilton efforts will continue with South Lanarkshire Council towards that end. The Board appreciates the warm support and co-operation to date from the Council officials involved. North Lanarkshire Council was made aware from the start of our discussions about Broadwood that our long-term aim is to return to Hamilton. Their understanding and co-operation is also greatly appreciated. "6. Further communications with supporters will continue on a regular basis." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Hamilton to remain full-time despite disastrous relegation – but uncertainty remains over home stadium plans
They look all but certain to leave their current ground for good IN FLUX Hamilton to remain full-time despite disastrous relegation – but uncertainty remains over home stadium plans HAMILTON have revealed the club will remain full-time despite their disastrous relegation to League One following a points deduction for breaking SPFL rules. The South Lanarkshire club were docked 15 points by the authorities last month and have subsequently been relegated from the Championship. 1 Hamilton Accies look destined to leave New Douglas Park Accies were hit with four separate charges including a failure to report not paying players, not providing correct stadium ownership information, downgrading their Sscottish FA licence and not submitting club membership criteria by the required deadline. The club appealed the decision but it was dismissed earlier this week. Amid their money worries - which included a year's worth of unpaid rent over their home stadium (that they don't own) - Hamilton have been forced to consider whether to keep their players employed on a full-time basis, in order to help them return to the Championship as quick as possible. The club has confirmed they will do just that but uncertainty remains over where they will actually play their matches next season. This week, bosses as Hamilton said they were considering MOVING OUT of New Douglas Park amid a cash row with the owners of the stadium. That was despite the owners offering to postpone the debts until a solution could be found. It would mean a ground share with Clyde next year at Broadwood, and potentially the building of a new stadium in the future - potentially outside the town of Hamilton. However, the board has revealed they will try to avoid relocating on a permanent basis. A message to fans outlined six key points the board will be following in the wake of relegation. The statement, from chairman Jock Brown, read: "Following the Board's statement on receipt of the disappointing outcome of the SFA Appeal Tribunal hearing we require to make it clear once again that while we would like to expand on the circumstances relating to the charges, and the defences submitted, we are unable to do so without breaching SPFL Regulations. Hamilton Accies fans chant 'Sack The Board' as club learn relegation fate after Queen's Park draw "However, now that relegation has been established, we can clarify that the following decisions have been taken: "1. The club will do what it must do in times of adversity – it will fight with relentless determination to achieve promotion back to the Championship at the earliest opportunity, ideally next season, and look to progress further in the future. "2. The club will remain full-time. "3. The Academy will remain a vital factor in the club's future. The development of youth remains at the forefront of our thinking and planning. Following the temporary relocation to Broadwood new arrangements will be made imminently to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of the football education of our valued youngsters. These arrangements will be communicated to parents in early course. It is also the club's intention to retain elite status for the academy. "4. The club will be making strategic appointments to the Board aimed at strengthening its overall leadership, governance and long-term direction. "5. On the basis that the Board agrees with supporters that the club should be based in Hamilton efforts will continue with South Lanarkshire Council towards that end. The Board appreciates the warm support and co-operation to date from the Council officials involved. North Lanarkshire Council was made aware from the start of our discussions about Broadwood that our long-term aim is to return to Hamilton. Their understanding and co-operation is also greatly appreciated. "6. Further communications with supporters will continue on a regular basis. "Jock Brown, Chairman." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The Herald Scotland
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Hamilton Accies to abandon New Douglas Park for Broadwood
Also embroiled in a lengthy dispute with the owners of their home since 2001 negotiations over the purchase of New Douglas Park ended without agreement. Describing their time as tenants of the stadium as 'thoroughly unsatisfactory' the Lanarkshire club have also rejected the draft terms on offer to extend their lease. While co-tenants Clyde intend to remain at New Douglas Park for 'the foreseeable future', John Rankin's side will move 15 miles to play at Broadwood – Clyde's former home. Announcing that talks are underway with South Lanarkshire Council over a potential site for a new stadium in Hamilton, Accies confirmed plans to play in Cumbernauld in a statement from chairman Jock Brown. 'The board has considered carefully the proposal published by the stadium owner and communicated to the media in respect of the club continuing to occupy New Douglas Park. 'The proposal cannot be accepted on the terms stated. In the first instance the balance in respect of the funds accruing between the parties over the past twenty-two 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. Read more: Hamilton Accies fans right to be furious over club's demise Hamilton CEO escorted by police amid Championship relegation Greg Docherty feels for former club but hopes young stars can emerge 'Second, the terms of the only new draft lease provided so far are also unacceptable. 'Third, the club's experience of being tenants over the past twenty-two months has been thoroughly unsatisfactory. 'It is correct that the club has been trying to purchase the company which owns the stadium (the seller's preferred way of completing the transaction) over a period in excess of a year. 'The necessary funds are available. However, the owner has failed for a period of several months to produce the due diligence information routinely sought in a transaction of this kind and has made it clear that necessary warranties will not be forthcoming. 'In such circumstances any purchase would be irresponsible and has thus been rendered unachievable. 'At the eleventh hour a new proposal was made by the seller involving the purchase of the stadium as a property asset, but the board has made the unanimous decision to reject this proposal on the same basis at the original proposal, namely that acceptance of the terms involved would not be in the best interests of the club.' Currently the home of Cumbernauld Colts of the Scottish Lowland League and the Rangers women's team, Broadwood was the home stadium of Clyde between 1994 and 2022 and Open Goal Broomhill in 2022-23. 'Arrangements have now been made to relocate the club from the start of next season to Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld,' confirmed Brown, '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.'
