Academicals close down

Hamilton Academicals secretary Scott Struthers has confirmed the Second Division club have closed down until the staff receive payment.

None of the staff have been paid in full since mid-April and the club are waiting on a reply to the bid tabled by Jock Brown on behalf of a consortium wishing to take over the football club.

However, the club’s holding company, Deeka, have hinted the bid may be rejected in favour of another offer which they claim is pending.

But staff at the club have become increasingly concerned at the delay in payments as the boardroom wrangle continues, and walked out at midday today.

Struthers said: ‘‘Jock Brown, on behalf of the consortium he is representing, submitted a bid to the Deeka board on Monday night and asked for a response within 72 hours.

‘‘Jim Watson, a director of Deeka, is giving out hints that they will reject it stating that he has another deal pending.

‘‘That may well be the case but the deal offered by Jock Brown is the only one that is imminent and we believe the only one which could save Hamilton Accies.

‘‘Between 40 and 55 members of staff covering football, commercial, admin and ground staff have all stopped working as from midday.’’