Hamilton Academical FC are proud to reaffirm our long-standing commitment to elite youth development by announcing a series of strategic enhancements to our Academy infrastructure.
As part of our commitment to ongoing progression and development, we have undertaken a comprehensive review and remodelling of the Academy framework to ensure we continue to meet the highest performance and compliance standards, while nurturing the next generation of talent in line with our footballing philosophy.
We are delighted to confirm the following key appointments to our Team:
- Scott Leitch has been appointed as Head of Academy. A highly respected figure in Scottish football, Scott brings exceptional experience in elite youth development and leadership. His appointment represents a major step forward in our commitment to player pathway excellence and structural integrity.
- Michael Tidser, also joining as an Under-17s Coach, brings professional playing & management experience, technical acumen, and a modern coaching outlook. His presence strengthens our on-pitch support and enhances the delivery of our academy programme at a critical level for The Accies
- Kevin Harper, former professional footballer and experienced youth coach, joins us as Under-17s Coach. Kevin’s knowledge of the game, leadership qualities, and focus on player development will be invaluable in shaping our academy prospects during a crucial stage of their football journey.
- Darryl Duffy, a former professional footballer who enjoyed a successful career both in Scotland and England, including representing his country at U21 level. Darryl brings a wealth of experience as a professional footballer.
- Jason Little, former Head Of Youth Development at Livingston FC and coach at Hamilton, Morton, Airdrie and Alloa. Jason is an experienced coach across Academy football in Scotland and is a welcome addition to the team.
These changes reflect our vision to build a sustainable, performance-driven Academy aligned with national and international best practice. Our ambition remains clear – to provide our young players with an elite environment that prepares them for the demands of senior football while developing them as people and professionals.
We thank our staff, players, and families for their ongoing support, and we look forward to an exciting future as we continue to evolve our Academy operations with purpose and ambition.
