Accies show red card to social club

May 15 2008 By John Rowbotham

HAMILTON Accies were this week under fire for "evicting" their fans' social club.

The Stand Club at New Douglas Park is set to close to make way for a players’ lounge and media facilities.

Up to now, the social club has been the base for Hamilton Accies Supporters’ Club.

It's used by fans for pre- and after-match pints and for other events through the week.

However, it seems Accies' promotion last month to the top flight of Scottish football has sounded the death knell for the Stand Club.

Space in the ground currently occupied by the club will from next season be set aside for a players' lounge and press conference area.

Accies say it is an SPL requirement that those facilities are available within the ground.

News that the social club will close for the last time next Saturday (May 24) has not gone down well with fans.

Hamilton Accies Social Club president Alex Beveridge (60), said: "We're not too happy but they say they can't afford to allow our couple of hundred members to stay there any more because they need the space.

"Accies talk about being a community club but they're putting people out on the street.

"We can't afford to open up somewhere else, but we hope to move in somewhere."

A Hamilton Accies Supporters' Club spokesman commented: "It’s a shame for fans who have used the social club before a game.

"I can’t believe that there is nowhere else in the stadium that can be found.

"It's also a shame that the supporters' club has been there for 35 years - it is long-established, but people seem to forget about us.

"However, as a supporters' club and a social club we will continue to exist.

"We've existed out of the stadium before, and we'll do it again."

As well as being popular on matchdays, the club hosts events during the week, including prize bingo and a 'singalong' evening.

The social club has been at New Douglas Park since it opened in 2001.

Club sources say it operates at a loss.

Colin McGowan, chief executive of Hamilton Accies Stadium Company, said club members may be able to use the room for free on days when Accies aren't playing at New Douglas Park.

He added: "We have obligations to the football club to provide what they need, and they require a press and TV room for after matches, a players' lounge, and facilities for the away team. Those facilities have to be within the stadium.

"I feel that we have been more than fair to the social club in their time here and we've spent a lot of money on them.

"But there are obligations on the company and the bottom line is that we have to run it as a responsible business."

Mr McGowan added: "We understand where the social club is coming from and we're upset that they aren't happy about this, but the needs of the football club have to come first."