SPFL club told they could be 'liquidated' as former Hearts and Hibs stars engulfed in crisis amid unpaid wages
The SPFL club have a number of former Hearts and Hibs players on their books.
Hamilton Accies players have been told they are not to be paid their December wages on time - and liquidation has reportedly been threatened.
The crisis-hit League One club were relegated from the Scottish Championship at the end of last season after a 15-point deduction. The club faced a further nine-point deduction this season amid continued financial problems and manager John Rankin has left the club. Playing away from their traditional Hamilton home of New Douglas Park, Accies reported losses of £1.8m for the 2023/24 campaign where the total loss for the financial year rose by more than £1m.
The SFA also deemed club director Gerry Strain and majority shareholder Seref Zengin not fit and proper for running a Scottish football club. Darian Mackinnon is the interim gaffer and is being aided by ex-Hearts player Scott Leitch but players are now claimed to be considering their options ahead of Saturday’s match with East Fife, with the January transfer window opening this weekend. If they do not fulfil the fixture, director Jonny Towers has reportedly claimed liquidation could take place.
What is the latest on Hamilton financial situation?
It is more uncertainty for the playing squad that remains at Hamilton, which includes a host of former Hearts and Hibs players. Bobby McLuckie joined Hamilton on loan from Hearts in the summer and has featured regularly, with ex-Jambos Connor Smith and Scott Robinson also at the club. Former Hibs duo Oli Shaw and Steven Bradley are also in the senior fold while ex-Hearts man Leitch is now a coach.
Reporting in the Herald states: “Hamilton Academical director Jonny Towers has told players that they will not be paid tomorrow, amidst the current situation facing the League 1 side. Due to this, the first-team players have spoken to PFA Scotland regarding their next steps, with the squad now needing to decide whether to play this Saturday's fixture against East Fife.
“Per sources, Towers then allegedly threatened the players that if they do not take to the field this weekend, then the club as a whole would be liquidated. Additionally, some of the older players at the club are wary of being injured playing for Hamilton ahead of the January transfer window, where they could potentially be free to sign elsewhere.”
What Hamilton players have said about Accies situation
Former Jambos forward Robinson has admitted some players are not training during the week to declare themselves fit for matchdays. He said: “We are getting asked to do everything we can for ourselves, for the staff, for the fans and we are fighting through it.
“There are boys playing through injuries and not training through the week, just declaring themselves fit on a Saturday for this club. That, to me, shows the team spirit and the fight is there to see, even if we aren’t winning games.
“I haven’t even trained since last Saturday. The weekend there was my first time on the pitch for a week. There’s a few others as well. We will keep fighting and see where we end up.”