Our opening league match of the season on Saturday was blighted seriously by people who have the audacity to call themselves Accies supporters. A “protest” took place at Broadwood which necessitated police intervention and heaped shame on the perpetrators who verbally abused decent supporters collecting their tickets – including our oldest season ticket holder and a teenage boy, a minor, who were subjected to disgusting foul and abusive language.
I have always supported peaceful protest, so long as it shows complete respect to innocent members of the public. What happened on Saturday was nothing short of a disgrace. Not only were our decent supporters abused, but members of North Lanarkshire Council and club staff carrying out their match day duties.
That is all completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We are taking steps now to ban the ringleaders of that shocking behaviour from all our matches indefinitely.
We are well aware that Accies fans did not want to move away from Hamilton. Neither did any member of the board. But we have already explained why staying at New Douglas Park was impossible. No other location in Hamilton was suitable so the temporary move to Broadwood was necessary. We have a two-year lease with an option for a further year. During that time we shall do everything possible to identify and develop a new site in Hamilton.
Meanwhile we trust that all good Accies supporters will share the board’s dismay and anger at the appalling behaviour on Saturday.
Jock Brown
Chairman
