Accies plan Cumbernauld move as Clyde stay in Hamilton

Clyde moved to Hamilton in 2022 after North Lanarkshire Council refused to extend their lease at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld

Hamilton Academical and Clyde are set to effectively switch stadiums next season after the former announced plans to play their home games in Cumbernauld.

League 2 Clyde confirmed on Wednesday that they will continue their tenancy of New Douglas Park in Hamilton, having vacated Broadwood Stadium three years ago.

However, Accies have announced plans to leave their ground of the past 24 years amid a row over stadium ownership and rental and move into Clyde's former home.

New Douglas Park has been rented by both clubs this season from a company controlled by Colin McGowan, one of Accies' former owners.

Last month, Clyde had expressed fears that a five-year agreement signed in 2022 was under threat, but on Thursday they stated that they are "in a position to commit to New Douglas Park for the foreseeable future".

Now Hamilton - relegated from the Championship for breaching licence conditions after their appeal was rejected on Thursday - have responded.

They said: "Arrangements are now being made to relocate the club from the start of next season to Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld, 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 news came as Hamilton awaited the results of Thursday's appeal against a SPFL decision to deduct them 15 points for breaching league rules, the dismissal of 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.