Hamilton Accies back in the big time after 20 years

Apr 24 2008 By Andy McGilvray

HAMILTON Accies are back in the top flight for the first time since season 1988-89 after beating Clyde to clinch the Irn-Bru First Division championship.

First-half goals by Tony Stevenson and top scorer Richard Offiong secured a comfortable 2-0 victory and put the seal on the title in front of 4940 supporters at New Douglas Park.

It was a fitting end to a remarkable season, which has seen the Lanarkshire side lead the First Division almost from day one.

Second-placed Dundee ran Hamilton close, but in the end the title was clinched with seven points to spare, ahead of Saturday’s head-to-head clash at Dens Park.

And the scenes of jubilation that greeted the final whistle will live long in the memory of those present, as Accies prepare for life in the SPL.

An emotional Hamilton boss Billy Reid paid tribute to his players, staff, supporters, and challengers Dundee after lifting the famous old trophy for the first time as a manager.

He said: “To be honest it hasn’t sunk in yet. I was really emotional at the end of the game and I was really nervous in the last 20 minutes — probably more than I’ve been all season.

“This is the first time that Hamilton Accies have won a championship in front of their own fans, and that means a lot to me.

“To lead almost from day one and continue that all the way through a season, and with a young squad, I think shows that we’ve progressed enormously.”

Obviously pleased to get over the finishing line, Reid admitted he would have had a job on his hands if Accies had surrendered the title.

He said: “We have some fantastic young players here, but there are also experienced guys like Alex Neil, Mark McLaughlin and Chris Swailes, who have been brilliant this season as well.

“But I saw what happened to St Johnstone last season when we played them on the last day, and they were going for the title.

“It was a fantastic game of football, at one point they had won the league and then Gretna scored in the last minute to pip them.

“I saw the emotion on the St Johnstone players’ faces and how it affected them — it hit them badly, and they didn’t recover this season.

“My job would have been to make sure we picked that up if we had lost the championship.

“But I told the players before the game that even if we had to go and play Dundee at Dens Park to win the league this Saturday, I still would have fancied our chances.

“Over the season, without being disrespectful to Dundee, we’ve been the best side.

“But I also have to pay tribute to Alex Rae and Davie Farrell, who have done a great job and been on our coat-tails all season.

“I think they’ve finished on 68 points, and that’s two more than Gretna did when they won the First Division, so they’ve got to take credit.

“Having finished second before I know how they feel and I’m not trying to rub salt into their wounds, but their time will come.”

Reid says he may give youth a chance in Saturday’s final league match at Dens Park.