Hamilton Accies announce sports partnership

May 29 2008 By Eric Mackinnon

FIRST Division champs Hamilton Accies hope to unearth the new James McCarthy in West Lothian after the club announced a new partnership with Armadale Sports Club.

The exciting new link will see the form and progress of the young players monitored by the SPL new boys and Accies vice-chairman Les Gray has admitted his delight at the news.

He said: “In effect Armadale will become a feeder club for Hamilton as we have a direct link to the club.

“It begins as of now and our scouts will be watching their players with a view to bringing some players into our own successful youth initiative.”

Armadale, who boast teams from under 9s to under 19s, will wear Hamilton’s famous red and white hoops from next season but they will retain their own name.

Established Hamilton stars may also visit the youngsters but Gray insists it is very much a two-way partnership.

“There are a host of things we plan to do like bringing players through to Armadale for coaching sessions and photo shoots but we hope to bring their players to us in the future so it is very much a two-way thing.

“The reason we chose Armadale are the structure and organisation of the club as it is very well run and the fact it is only 20-25 minutes away from us.”

The official affiliation between the clubs will provide youngsters in the county with a focus and a platform from which they can showcase their skills under the watchful eyes of an SPL club.

Sean McGuire from Armadale Sports Club admits he is thrilled with the new link up.

“We have been working on this link up since last October,” he revealed.

“And now we have an official affiliation and it is great news for the club and all the boys from our 12 teams, the soccer school and our four v fours.

“The key for us is we will have access to their physios should any of our boys get injured and also their youth coaches.

“We will also have financial help in kitting our boys out and we hope to take some of our young boys on stadium tours.

“Being affiliated should help us attract more boys to the club.

“It is a great opportunity for the boys to play football at the best level and standard they can.

“They now have a realistic way of being spotted and making the step up and it is a great in centive for all the young players at Ar madale Sports Club.”

Anyone interested in contacting the club for more information can email armadalesc@yahoo.com