Hamilton Accies hit back at latest debt claim and say they will put injunction on administration threat

The Lanarkshire club’s official website, hamiltonacciesfc.co.uk, was taken down on Thursday due to the “threat of administration” - although it is alleged that the message accompanying it was not posted by them but The Funding Globe.

It is claimed that Hamilton are due more than £250,000 to creditors who gave the club a short-term loan to cover December payments and that Accies have now defaulted on a repayment. The security against the money is said to include all of the club’s assets.

Hamilton’s former owner Seref Zengin sold the side to Morley Sports Management (MSM) earlier this month and MSM representatives have been appointed to the board. Hamilton’s latest accounts showed a £1.8 million loss and this season, they have been given a points deduction and fined for failing to pay HMRC, wages, and giving misleading information on the ownership of their stadium. Zengin and director of football Gerry Strain were deemed by the Scottish Football Association as “not fit and proper” to run a club.

That led to the MSM takeover, but fresh doubt has been cast over Hamilton’s future after the latest developments.

The note on their official website reads: “Hamilton Academical FC is currently under threat of administration following a default under its secured lending arrangements.

“The Charge Holder has made repeated attempts to engage constructively and reach an agreed resolution, however matters remain unresolved at this time, including uncertainty regarding the true ownership of shares.

“Further updates will be provided in due course.”

Response from the club

However, in a riposte on another website, www.the-accies.com, the club said it is “highly questioning the validity of the charge” and urged fans to follow communication from the site and club social channels.

Their statement read: “Hamilton Academical FC can confirm that the post visible on the club’s website threatening Administration was not posted by us, but by The Funding Globe (referring to themselves as The Charge Holder).

“Chairman Allan Currie has been in ongoing negotiation with The Funding Globe, but the word constructive has been used loosely. We continue to be open to work on a reasonable basis to find a satisfactory conclusion for all parties.

“If Administration is forced by The Funding Globe, and their preferred liquidators, we will prepare an immediate injunction to prevent this and fight the process on the basis that we highly question the validity of the charge and we are actively seeking advice.

“Regarding ownership, the club can confirm that Morley Sports Management Limited owns 100% of 1874 Holdings Limited, who are in turn 97.5% shareholders of the Hamilton Academical FC. There are no concerns regarding ownership, or the ultimate controlling party of the club, and all documents have been filed within the timelines required by Companies House, and Share Transfer Forms duly signed.

“Again, we ask that you rely on official communication from the club social channels, and the website www.the-accies.com going forwards, and not on media outlets or related comments.”