Hamilton Accies to move to Cumbernauld as Clyde stay at New Douglas Park

The news comes as Hamilton await the results of Thursday’s appeal against a SPFL decision to deduct them 15 points for breaching league rules, which will result in their relegation from the Championship.

“Provision of incorrect information regarding stadium ownership” was one of multiple rule breaches cited by the SPFL for the points deduction.

Accies chairman Jock Brown says the club board found the latest proposal to settle a dispute with the stadium owner “unacceptable”.

Brown states that “the club is not indebted to the owner”, with the “balance” of payments over the most recent 22 months “substantially in favour of the club”.

“So any postponement of settlement of the appropriate balance is inappropriate,” a statement adds.

“The club’s experience of being tenants over the past 22 months has been thoroughly unsatisfactory.”

Brown says Accies have been “trying to purchase the company which owns the stadium” for the past year, as that was “the seller’s preferred way of completing the transaction” and that “the necessary funds are available”.

However, accepting the offer made by the owner “would be irresponsible”, “unachievable” and not “in the best interests of the club”.

Given the uncertainty over the use of the stadium, the SPFL had agreed to extend Clyde’s registration details for next season.

However, after “a challenging time”, they believe they have “navigated it successfully” to ensure they can continue to use New Douglas Park.

Clyde moved to Hamilton while seeking a permanent home in Glasgow since their own 28-year stay at Broadwood came to an end three years ago after North Lanarkshire Council refused to extend their lease in Cumbernauld.