Historic club in danger of forced move

An appeal by the Scottish Football Supporters Association for an historic club:

Next Friday, the SPFL will release the fixtures for next season.    At present, Hamilton Academical will feature in that list, but there is a serious chance that they may not be able to fulfil those fixtures.  Why? Well, it’s a mess to be honest, but this is what we understand the current situation is, with the caveat that this is changing on a daily, if not hourly basis.

As we have reported over the last few weeks, the Accies Supporters’ Association has come together to do everything it can to save their club.  The SFSA has seen at first hand the passion and emotional involvement of the Accies’ supporters.  It’s both uplifting and harrowing: these fans really do fear, and with justification, for the future of the club that many have watched for generations.

Currently, there are three parties involved.  They are: the directors/owners of the club; the man who owns the stadium; and the fans.  It is no secret to say there is a lack of trust between all three.

The SPFL will not allow a club to take part in its competitions unless it has a ground to play in, with a lease for at least a season.  Essentially, there are a few days for the directors/owners of the Accies to sign a deal which is acceptable to the football authorities. If that doesn’t happen then it seems likely that the club will struggle to continue to exist, unless it can find another ground.

There is, we understand, a possible deal for the Accies to remain at New Douglas Park. This has (again we understand) been verbally agreed between the Supporters’ Association and the stadium owner.  The problem is that the club directors/owners will not agree to this under any circumstances. In our view, without knowing all the details, this is a tragedy.  If some way could be found to square this circle, the Accies could stay in Hamilton.  

Surely, that’s what everyone would want? Radio Scotland reported that the owners say that is their intention to return to Hamilton. If they can demonstrate a viable plan to do this, the supporters would, we suspect, be much more comfortable with what is happening just now. But at present, it looks like it’s Broadwood [Cumbernnauld, 1 hour 14 minutes by train] or bust.  Let’s hope it’s not the latter. No fan will want one of Scotland’s famous old clubs to be consigned to history.

It’s incumbent fans of all clubs to support their counterparts at Accies.  Please do so here (this will take you less than 30 seconds).

https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/s-f-s-a/hamilton-accies-support