Cymru Premier club Haverfordwest County’s owners have completed a takeover of financially troubled Hamilton Academical.
Morley Sports Management Group has bought 97.5% of the shares in the Scottish League 1 club from Seref Zengin, who the Scottish FA last month ruled was not a fit and proper person to hold a position within football.
Hamilton were relegated last season after receiving a 15-point penalty for a number of transgressions, including the non-payment of players, issues over the ownership of their stadium and player registration.
They have been docked another 15 points this season and, with players considering not playing because of unpaid wages, were poised to field a weakened team on Saturday before their match at home to East Fife was postponed because of a frozen pitch.
But Hamilton stated on their website that, following the takeover: “The priority at the moment is to ensure overdue salaries are paid to players and staff, and operational and financial controls are in place.”
MSM, a sports-focused investment and management group, took over Haverfordwest in 2020, since when they have competed in European competition twice in the last three seasons.
It also owns Ohio Valley Wrestling, an American professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville, Kentucky.
Owner Rob Edwards has been appointed to Hamilton’s board along with Neil Blankstone, “a senior investment manager”, and Allan Currie, “a former head of inward investment in Scotland”, who will be interim chairman.
“This move marks a new and exciting chapter for Hamilton Academical Football Club,” the club stated.
“The incoming board would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Seref Zengin, the club SLO, and the Accies Supporters Association for their support during the bid to takeover.”
They also thanked “players and staff who have all continued their work to the best of their ability even in trying and uncertain times”.
Hamilton have promised further board and staff appointments.
With John Rankin having stood down as manager recently amid their financial problems, Darian MacKinnon is in caretaker charge of a team who would be third top instead of third bottom had they not incurred a points deduction.
Accies Supporters Association has welcomed the takeover, with which it played a part.
“Rob is under no illusions that the club has been through a horrendous period in its 151-year history and the difficult challenges that lie ahead,” it stated.
“We firmly believe that our club will have people in charge who will do everything they can to turn things around.”
Neither the new owner, nor the supporters association, has made mention of the future plans over the club’s home, having move to Broadwood Stadium, 15 miles away in Cumbernauld, this summer following a dispute with Hamilton Community Stadium.
