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Inside Accies: Not A Pundit on the ground at New Douglas Park
21 Plays1 day ago
From a proud past to an uncertain future — this special episode takes you inside Hamilton Academical Football Club at one of the most turbulent points in its history.
After sitting down with Director of Football Gerry Strain on the Not A Pundit podcast, we visitsNew Douglas Park to see the club up close. From watching training, interviewing manager John Rankin, to witnessing the stormy defeat to Raith Rovers and bouncing back.
Then came the bombshell: a 15-point deduction that could seal their relegation.
With exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes insight, and a raw look at the realities of Scottish football, this is the story of a club that refuses to give in.
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Transcript
Introduction and Sponsor Message
00:00:00
Speaker
This podcast is brought to you by DS Business Solutions, your go-to partner for smarter, faster, more secure workplaces.
Soccer Legends: Messi and Aguero
00:00:08
Speaker
Messi, Messi, oh my goodness!
00:00:13
Speaker
Vitaly, Aquaro! That is extraordinary! What a headside! What a head! Back of the net.
Invitation to Ireland and John’s Work
00:00:34
Speaker
And honestly, you need to come over. You need come over for Ireland at some point and I'll show you how John worked. 100%.
Hamilton Academical: History and Spirit
00:00:43
Speaker
In Scottish football, few clubs have ridden the highs and endured the lows, quite like Hamilton Academical.
00:00:51
Speaker
Founded in 1874 from the classrooms of a local school, Ackies are a club built on resilience and community. Never the wealthiest, rarely the flashiest, but always there, always fighting.
Challenges and Relegation Struggles
00:01:07
Speaker
For years, they punched above their weight, rubbing shoulders with the giants of the Premiership, developing talent and doing it the hard way. But now, the club faces another test.
00:01:20
Speaker
Relegation back to League One. Another difficult chapter in a long and storied history.
00:01:28
Speaker
The fans know this feeling, the setbacks, the struggles, but also the comebacks. Because Hamilton's story isn't just about where they are, it's about who they are.
00:01:41
Speaker
This is Ackies, a club that has taken its knocks, but refuses to stop swigging.
00:01:50
Speaker
About a year ago, we had a revealing podcast with Gerry Strain, Hamilton's director of football, and I took him up on an invitation to visit the club, to walk the halls, and witness firsthand what's being built in this corner of South Lanarkshire.
00:02:14
Speaker
I arrived the day before with our home fixture against Wraith Rovers. A crisp morning light broke over New Douglas Park Not a cathedral of the modern game, but no less sacred to those who call it home.
00:02:27
Speaker
There were no red carpets, no press handlers or polished media tours, just a club getting on with it.
00:02:35
Speaker
Training was already underway. The shouts of players, the rhythm of drills, coaches the demanding more, and players responding. You don't normally get this perspective on a match day.
00:02:46
Speaker
Just raw preparation. The real work.
00:02:51
Speaker
Before kick-off I sat down with John Rankin, the club's manager tasked with steering this young group through one of the most challenging spells in the club's history. Rankin was open, insightful and intense, just like Gerry had described him on the podcast.
Rankin's Coaching Journey
00:03:06
Speaker
Overall, when when I look at where we were last season and our consistency levels, albeit a different league, and where we are this season, we're we probably are just now trying to find a rhythm and it sounds crazy because you're 30 games into a season just now but you're trying to find a rhythm with players in a system and recently we've obviously flipped a system i again and we've come up with something different which has caused teams problems.
00:03:35
Speaker
But ultimately we getting we're getting punished for the littlest mistake just now. And that's hard to take, especially when players are putting so much effort so much energy in commitment to what we're asking them to do. yeah And when you get punished for a silly wee error or somebody switching off and it costs yourself two points or three points at times,
00:03:54
Speaker
yeah then it becomes that wee bit more difficult obviously because the league table but not for a ah moment if we ever questioned the players commitment or desire to run or their work rate or their enthusiasm to come and train it's a great place to work they enjoy coming to training they enjoy going out on the pitch with the variety of things that we put on and they're a good group they're a close group and a lot of the the the players when they come here they say, oh, the dressing room's good, but then when they get in, the think they realise how good it is.
00:04:27
Speaker
so You could see it on the training pitch earlier, like the games are they're fun, there's a laugh, but there's also a level of like they're pushing each other competition-wise, like they're really yeah they're into it. Yeah, well, some of them come in the same car, and I don't think they go home in the same car.
00:04:43
Speaker
depending on what team they are in training but no I look at it at times and and that's how I want I want to be friendly off the pitch but when they go onto the pitch a different animal and and again we want to make sure that we do enough in the remaining games stay to get away from the the area at the bottom and but again like at this stage of the season it's not really um about performances it's more about getting points But if we continue to do the right things and the performances are good for the majority of the game, then we should get the the points that that we need. But again, I'm making sure that the players don't feel too much pressure and don't feel like anxious at at times.
00:05:21
Speaker
And just making sure that we we do more than enough in each an individual game, training, whatever it may be, a gym session, to make sure that we get the most out ourselves on a Saturday.
00:05:32
Speaker
Obviously this is your first ah job as the man the main man but you've you've started out as a youth, you were the assistant. Did you feel there was a much of a step up and kind of to take the the role that takes all the flack?
00:05:47
Speaker
All the flack, all the flack. Is there much a step up? Aye, there is, there is. Listen, I've been involved and in coaching now for the best part of 10 years.
00:05:59
Speaker
love every minute of it. Love my job. but and Love coming work, love, trying to figure out a game plan to try and exploit a team's weakness and try and make sure that their strength doesn't outweigh our weakness or their strength isn't something that's going to hurt us so try to nullify that whereas it coming through the youth football it's all about trying to develop players and make sure they get to the next stage and you may have to You may have to break one to make one, that's ultimately it.
00:06:29
Speaker
Youth football, it's so cutthroat in trying to get players into the first team and make sure they can go a and have good careers. So far, a lot of players that worked with when I have had so far decent careers, and long may that continue.
00:06:46
Speaker
Getting into the reserve football, obviously you're dealing with personalities that are mostly unhappy because not playing in the first team. I found that really enjoyable, actually, trying get players that are not a Wanted to be unhappy, but you're also trying to make them happy the same time. didn't want them to be unhappy. You wanted them to be trying to get into the team and push themselves. You wanted them to get team, but ultimately they were coming off of the manager not being happy, coming to me, and we'd try to get a smile on face and get them going, and I found that...
00:07:16
Speaker
a really enjoyable, trying get the best out of somebody who's obviously not in the best headspace at the time and trying to motivate them. So I really enjoyed that. So that kind of convinced me I could work with first-time players and enjoy working with first-time players, whether it be good times or bad times in their own mind. Because ultimately...
00:07:32
Speaker
and It's a team of individuals playing a ah team sport and that's the bit where you have to make make sure that you get that right. But I enjoyed that side of it, working as I said with the reserves, making sure that the older ones coming down who weren't any part of plans or not playing the first team could go and and develop and put good habits into young players. And then obviously as I said I came here as assistant, yeah really enjoyed that.
00:07:56
Speaker
and To be honest, the the managerial thing probably came quicker than i expected. I didn't think I'd be a the manager here. I didn't think that would happen.
Unexpected Leadership and Adaptation
00:08:07
Speaker
I came in here to help as an assistant and all of a sudden it kind of fell in my lap after pre-season had started. So at that time it was an opportunity too good an opportunity to turn down. yeah You think at one point you're...
00:08:21
Speaker
you're leaving and then maybe a couple of days later you you find out that you're you're getting a job then it's it's quite hard to obviously swing into that action having not processed or not had a plan in place for that it's just sort of put on you and then you realise that you have to ah quickly change our mindset, quickly try and get a team on the part that can can compete and and obviously pretty progress ah the club as well. And number days until the next match and then there's another match after that and you don't get time to... To be honest you, at that time, I try to jog my memory back. I come back...
00:08:52
Speaker
here as an assistant after the whole day a having prepared pre-season, not thought about players signing anyone, anything like that, and then obviously as that time goes, you're maybe about a week to ten days before the season starts. So there's been thrown in at the deep end, and there's landing in the deep end, and I think that's...
00:09:14
Speaker
Listen, it's a challenge that I'm delighted I took on. and At the time it was difficult, as in lots of aspects were difficult. yeah But again, it's at the time, yeah i look back and I thought, I've got young families, that's really where I want to be at this particular point, as in stress levels, different things going on, need to rely on...
00:09:36
Speaker
people you you you don' thousand in players that you don't know, you're at the last minute where a lot of players are still, um sorry, ones that you would have probably looked at are now signed with different clubs, so there's different aspects to look at, but you don't have that much time and you've got to make a decision. So, yeah, listen, again...
00:09:55
Speaker
The club's been brilliant. I've enjoyed my time here.
International Experiences and COVID-19
00:09:58
Speaker
I'm enjoying my time here. Am I right in saying, though, that it's not the first time you kind of have been put into like an awkward situation? though As you were coming through as a youth player, were you sent off down to Brazil, if Wikipedia is correct? It's not the first time I've been involved and and in an awkward situation. Again, was sent to Brazil, I think it was 2002, maybe 2001. I went to go to Brazil for...
00:10:24
Speaker
a alone period at Corinthians. I'm no, don't speak any other language so it was it was obviously difficult to go there, language barrier, didn't eat for a couple of days, i can remember that.
00:10:37
Speaker
There was no food, we'd trained like triple sessions, and that was really tough, didn't know who we were living with, travelled near enough the full length of the world. It's been a difficult situation. Another time at Hearts where Robbie was the manager at the time and all the coaching staff got COVID.
00:10:56
Speaker
I was preparing for a reserve game the following day and all of a sudden you get the call that you have to go Linlithgow and take the first team because obviously they take priority. There's lots of different situations I've been involved in where I didn't really expect it to happen. But again, in football, you just got to adapt really, really quickly.
00:11:12
Speaker
And I feel as if I've done that, whatever I've been asked to do. And ah last last question, because I know you're a busy man. and Wraith tomorrow. How are you feeling? What's your prediction?
00:11:23
Speaker
How do feel? Bear in mind, just going out after. Listen, any game, i always wish I could play. ah but that's the That's the thing when it comes to... I always wish I could play. like People say your playing days are the best days of your life. like I think your school days are the best your life. You can go to school, you can have fun, you can play football. No, but listen, I'm looking forward to the game tomorrow.
00:11:42
Speaker
ah Right now, I think the boys are good headspace, they're in good place, albeit results haven't been great as of late. and But they're looking forward to it. They've trained well.
00:11:53
Speaker
They've come off the back of a really good performance last week where they believe in one another, they believe what they're being asked to do, they can see... coming fruition in video, you have different bits of evidence, theyve the feeling of them is good, and I think that's important as a footballer, how you feel, ah getting into games, obviously, when I say how you feel, I've had a number having sickness and diarrhoea, so depending on where they've been, not so sure that they feel great after having to clean up after themselves, but we're in met Mental capacity, they're fine just now. I'm looking forward to the game. i'm looking forward to seeing how if we can go and compete.
00:12:31
Speaker
I'm determined that we can and go and compete with a Wraith Roverside who have been really, really competitive in league second part the season. Really physical, really energetic and we need to go and match those demands if we're going to get anything out of game tomorrow.
00:12:43
Speaker
But not only that, our concentration levels need be needat to be high. We speak about it week on week about the concentration. You asked questions, obviously conceding conceding late goals in the manner that we have recently.
00:12:56
Speaker
it's For me, and I've said this to the players, it's not tactical because it's not the one where they're getting hit. It's not individual because it's not the same player that's making a mistake or getting hit. It's not physical because their numbers are through the roof, fitness-wise. ah It might be a...
00:13:12
Speaker
An anxiety thing when you're getting in later on the game and in near the end and we're trying to protect our goal when we've either got a point or we're trying protect three. And it's making sure that we relax at that time and be calm and composed, even though we're still in control. Because if you're if you're winning, you're in control at that particular time in the game.
00:13:31
Speaker
And making sure that we know where the ball's going and we're dictating, dictating play dictate and plane making it predictable for ourselves. So... To answer your question, probably long-winded there. I'm buzzing for the game tomorrow and i I'm hoping that we can go and get the three points from it.
00:13:44
Speaker
Thank you very much. Cheers, thank you.
Fan Engagement and Social Media
00:13:46
Speaker
I also sat down with Ben Patterson, Hamilton's social media and content lead, but more importantly, a fan of the club. So, you are the mastermind behind Aki's social media. How did that come about?
00:14:01
Speaker
First of all, I think Mastermind's a bit kind, but it came about because I'm an Ackies fan, been going to Ackies games ever since I was young with my grandpa, and I ran basically an unofficial Ackies fan site for three, four years, which kind of picked up relative success, I would say.
00:14:21
Speaker
m Got the recognition of the club a few times, we but got access to players and managers and chairmen over the years which was which was great and helped us sort build the build the aim up of it a little bit and um so sort of over the years i sort of built a relationship with the club through that and was it kind of like lads look what i'm doing you should be doing a little bit of this now not not so much that no it was more um at the time that the owner asked um me my opinion on a few things and um
00:14:53
Speaker
you could basically ask if I could suggest changes or you know what would I do differently basically and then I had a a few of those suggestions so I put that to him and prepared a short sort of presentation almost basically running through very basic things but things I think that could be fixed straight away you know these are quick fixes if we do them tomorrow and um and after a few conversations with him and with other board members and with the manager as well, m they offered me the job and asked if I could come in and do it and I jumped at the chance. in
00:15:25
Speaker
I said it's my club, it's one I've always supported, so know to work with them officially was and was massive. in That I'm very proud of. and but so It's a long, still a long, you know we've made progress, but it's still a long long journey. it's it's um it's It's like the Golden Gate Bridge, as soon as you finish painting, you have to start it again, you fix the next thing and you keep building and moving on.
00:15:47
Speaker
and So obviously, your team, you're a local. Yep. So you grew up coming come to the games and stuff. Yep. Thank you. the club aren't in kind of the best position now and obviously when your club's not doing that well, and although compared to last season like got promoted, let's let's keep things in context, ah there's always going to be discon gets discontent and people that are ah not impressed regardless of what you do.
00:16:17
Speaker
do you kind of manage that when it comes to like social media because social media is the world of yeah everything is perfect. Yeah I mean I think that um i mean mean First foremost Just obviously as a fan The first thing I had to do When I joined the club Was switch that side Of my brain off You know i can't I can't get emotional After the results I can't get emotional After um decisions Signings Whatever it may be You know It's a job At the end of the day So m you know I kind of had to learn that very very quickly, the first game I did was a friendlies pre-season and kind of as soon as I sat down I was like I need to not, obviously it goes without saying I can't celebrate goals and all that but yeah I need to think of a job and that's, I think to be fair that's I've kind of been able to do that pretty quickly
00:17:07
Speaker
as As bad as it is to say, i't I like to think I don't think as a fan anymore.
Balancing Roles: Fan and Professional
00:17:11
Speaker
I've still got that side of me that I can dip into and I need to dip into it for my side of the job and because my side does fan-facing. you know I need to be able to play to them sometimes and and be aware of m what they want to see, what's right to to to say and and do at certain times. As you say, if things aren't going well,
00:17:31
Speaker
you know I need to have an ear at the ground with how the fans think and know, try not to press any wrong buttons and that. m But that's something that i I'm still learning how to do, by no means perfect at it, but and and I've made mistakes, but as I said, it's something that I'm working to continue. But i need to switch, you know you have to switch that side of your brain off in this sort of job.
00:17:53
Speaker
um And ah being a fan, is there any kind of standout matches or moments that kind of you look back on fondly? Oh, I mean, one of the greatest days my life was the Hibs play-off final, second leg.
00:18:10
Speaker
First leg we lost 2-0, I was at the game of my grandpa here, and we lost it 2-0, so going into the second leg, you're thinking, not going to get promoted. And I remember my grandpa saying to me, he was like, we're not going to go into Edinburgh. And I was like, come on, even if we don't, you know, we've finished second in the league, we've got to go in at least, sorry.
00:18:27
Speaker
But we went and obviously scored in the 98th minute to send it to extra time, sorry. m Extra time went into penalties and we ended up getting promoted. One of the, I mean, probably the greatest day of my life, what
Memorable Moments as a Fan
00:18:40
Speaker
feeling.
00:18:40
Speaker
And and for getting promoted at Inverness last season was amazing as well. You know, there three, four buses, Aki's fans all going up, face paints, m in flags, banner songs, it was just constant.
00:18:52
Speaker
We scored very early on in the game as well, so the party atmosphere just got kind wrapped up. m And then the Cup, winning the Cup as well, two years now.
00:19:03
Speaker
and That was the first time in wasn't it? It was the first domestic Trophy, and first domestic Cup Trophy since 1992, I think was the last one, so about 30 years. And that was in and That was an incredible day and weirdly one of those days where I honestly never thought were to lose. It was so sort of weird, maybe naive naivety, but I kind of got to the game and I said face paints, you know, there was there was loads of flags, banners, all that. Great atmosphere.
00:19:32
Speaker
and I just never thought we were going lose. We got a man sent off and down the men's and I was still like that. I honestly still think we're winning this and we did. Again, but not only that, it's this and this is an important thing I think to mention is the games are great and the celebrations at the game are great, but what I like about Aki's and what's been different about Aki's I think to most other clubs is...
00:19:52
Speaker
After these big games, the players have all came to the fans, whether it be the pub afterwards or whatever it may be, and celebrate it with us. And that makes a massive difference because...
Community Celebrations and Bonds
00:20:03
Speaker
Inverness we got promoted, Inverness obviously miles away, we all got back to the pub and the players all got dropped off at the the stadium and the first thing did was they all came round to the the pub and they spent the night in the pub with the Ackers fans right into the early, early hours in the morning. and proper community club kind of stuff yeah a proper sort of everyone together proper feel good factor same when we um same when we won the cup um they brought the cup to the pub and we were all standing outside the pub we blocked the streets the police were called and all that because all the players and the fans were blocking the road holding the cup up and all that so we little moments like that make a massive difference did you get drink out of the cup i didn't get a drink the cup um i got hold of the cup i didn't get a drink out the cup though but think there's plenty plenty drinks getting getting out at that night though but off of the cup
00:20:52
Speaker
um
00:20:54
Speaker
Anybody that's listened to this podcast knows I'm an absolute football manager fiend and I've talked the ear off you.
Football Manager and Hamilton's Appeal
00:21:00
Speaker
Yeah. Talked the ear off each other. Yeah. About it.
00:21:07
Speaker
why should anybody listening choose Hamilton for the next save? It's a long way before the next football manager game. Anybody looking for that extra little boost, why Hamilton? think that's a great question. I think, a I mean, the squad in general, if you look at it, and there's great depth in it.
00:21:24
Speaker
There's good quality in it as well. So you're coming in, you're not immediately having to make loads of signings or loads of changes. arent You can come in basically for the get-go and get started and and perform well in the league. So um I would say that... and I mean, I'm biased, but I just like playing with Ackies as my team, you know I mean? That's what I'm biased at. But we've also got a great use system as well, so you'll find that a lot of the young products coming through, most them can make it into the first team. There's a few standouts to now, obviously. But, you know, if you make your priority bringing academy players through, Ackies is a great club to do FM. I love doing Ackies on
00:21:59
Speaker
What stood out to me across these conversations wasn't despair or resignation.
Hamilton’s Story of Defiance
00:22:04
Speaker
It was drive. Defiance. In an era of Premier League glitz and glamour and global fanbases, there's something grounding, vital, ah about clubs like Hamilton.
00:22:14
Speaker
Clubs that fight, that rebuild, that believe in their own way, even when it gets hard. This is the other side of football. beside The side that rarely trends, but never stops mattering.
00:22:25
Speaker
I'm going to be a football player! I'm going to a football player!
00:22:31
Speaker
Match day at New Douglas Park.
00:22:44
Speaker
A bitter wind howled across the pitch. Sheets of rain blew sideways into the stands.
Match Against Wraith: Performance Analysis
00:22:50
Speaker
It was kind of afternoon that makes football feel like something to endure rather than enjoy.
00:22:57
Speaker
Hamilton kicked off with purpose. Organised. Energetic. Up for the fight. For the first 40 minutes or so they held their own. Wraith looked rattled.
00:23:09
Speaker
There was hope. Even optimism that Ackies might dig something out. But in football, moments change everything.
00:23:18
Speaker
Just before half-time, Wraith got a goal.
00:23:24
Speaker
The heads didn't drop immediately. But as the weather eased, so did Wraith into second gear. The second half belonged to the visitors. Sharper, quicker, more clinical.
00:23:37
Speaker
They added a second, and then a third.
00:23:47
Speaker
But the story wasn't just about goals.
00:23:53
Speaker
um Before a single ball had hit the net, a section of the home crowd was already making its feelings known.
00:24:07
Speaker
Cries of ranking out rang from the terraces early, a frustration that had been simmering for weeks.
00:24:31
Speaker
But the manager wasn't the only one drawing the ire of the fans. Get out of my clothes! Get out of my clothes! Get out my clothes! Jerry Stray! Get out my clothes!
00:24:43
Speaker
It's the reality of football at this level. Passions run deep. And so does impatience. We all know fans that are more than willing to jump on the back rather than the bandwagon of their teams.
00:24:54
Speaker
Always happy to criticise or give out or complain about whatever is going on at the club. I'm not saying Hamilton fans don't have reason to be angry, to be annoyed, to make their feelings known.
00:25:08
Speaker
but is calling for the head of your manager in the middle of a crucial league game the best way to get behind your team?
00:25:18
Speaker
By full time the storm had passed, on and off the pitch, but the damage was done. Another defeat. Another step closer to the drop zone. you Maybe you were the orchestrators of your own down form today?
00:25:33
Speaker
They say at least aye.
00:25:36
Speaker
I think when you get or you're ready to approach half time it's 0-0 and you know it's Dylan Easton on the ball keeping him on the outside that certainly sets you on the wrong pathway allowing him inside we spoke about it through the week we touched on it again for the first 10-15 minutes because he got inside once before that to try and stop it.
00:25:55
Speaker
It's criminal when you allow a player like that who wants to be in a wider area 1v1 and come inside and get shot away. And not just the first body to come out, second body, third body, need to get out and try and get a block on it.
00:26:07
Speaker
So, aye, of course, we're the orchestrates there. We're on downfall. Second one, again, we change it, try and get ourselves back in the game 1-0. A wee bit more expansive, so there is going to be holes, ball over the top.
00:26:21
Speaker
give away a foul, we're away at Pollock's pace and then we must defend the set play better. We've got to be more aggressive in there, we've got to make sure that our man doesn't get header and that's the bit that's really frustrating because we're aggressive in there, we've got good attackers in the ball and we don't attack the ball well enough and it's an easy goal for them.
00:26:41
Speaker
um And as I say, there then becomes more gaps because we go and try and get ourselves back into the game with getting a goal. And then the third one, I use the the phrase, it was like a hot knife going through a butter. They'd run us off the ball.
00:26:54
Speaker
and we could At that stage, we've obviously got their two centre-backs put, can't make a foul. Tread them on thin ice. And they concede a third goal, which is really, really...
00:27:06
Speaker
Poor at the back post, it's a soft one to concede, but overall all the piece, I don't think we've done enough to win the game today. The first half, it's pretty even game, just before half time they get the goal and that obviously changes the full thing. So, yeah, we are the cause of our own problems today.
00:27:24
Speaker
Obviously, we're the substitutes.
00:27:28
Speaker
keeper has three terrific saves he's got three good saves but again we sprang to life too late it's 1-0 at the time we we we make some of the changes and then obviously we make changes further on than
Reflections and Recovery Plans
00:27:43
Speaker
that players are still continuing to try and probe I think we could have put the ball forward a wee bit quicker and try to work harder than what we did but again we're trying to make opportunities trying to get shots away trying to get balls into the wider area get balls into the box and they defended their box really really well the goalkeeper makes as you say three good saves but and we've got to do better
00:28:09
Speaker
and now of course and filmmo next week taken away then thalmo's game in medwi still Next week is like a cup final? It's a cup final, 100% it's a cup final.
00:28:19
Speaker
We go to Dunfermline next week, it's going to be a massive game. and One where we've come off the back of a poor result today, we need to be ready to go there and listen, it's going to be but a big crowd. We know they're selling tickets for cheaper than what they normally would, they're trying to attract a crowd and we need to be ready for next Saturday.
00:28:38
Speaker
These sentiments were echoed by club captain Sean McGuinty. It's a sore one. I think we more than matched them first half. I think we battled well. Obviously, really tough conditions.
00:28:48
Speaker
um I think we played really well first half. I think we created probably the the better chances in the first half. And then obviously just before half time, they... They hit us with a sucker punch, probably a little bit too easy for Easton to come in on his left foot um and he obviously just just slips it past past Dino. So yeah, look that part of it was was disappointing but I think we played well first half and then come out second half we start well um and then they obviously catch us with ah with another one from from a set piece which we've we've got to defend better as well. yeah,
00:29:23
Speaker
Yeah, look, it's ah it's a tough day. It's a tough moment. Getting beat 3-0 at home after such a good result last week. But yeah, look, we've just got to put this one to bed quickly. We've got five left. We're still in the same position as we was before the game. I think Dunferman lost today. So we've just got to make sure we we come out next week and and make sure we go to Dunferman in a massive, massive game for for both sides and and make sure we come out on top.
00:29:51
Speaker
Yeah, I suppose, I guess what you've touched on, Dylan Easton, we all know how dangerous he can be. And as a defender, there was that moment when it must have been so frustrating just going into half-time after a decent first half. Yeah, it was frustrating. I think we've we've stopped him.
00:30:05
Speaker
think he's chopped inside on on his right foot a couple couple moments before and we managed to get the block in, but um these things we work on and unfortunately today we we just couldn't get the block in before he puts it past us. So yeah, it was it was frustrating. I think a frustrating afternoon for everyone and I think everyone battled really hard, but unfortunately we we come out on the wrong side of result.
00:30:26
Speaker
And obviously you can hear the the disappointment from the fans but I guess it's a case of not dwelling on this you have to really pull yourselves back together and go for it next week because it's a massive game isn't it? Yeah I think coming into to this fixture we always knew obviously next week was going to be really big obviously we wanted something today to give us a bit of a cushion but it's not to be so yeah look we'll go to Dunferman next week and Big, big game and um yeah look we look forward to it, we'll embrace it and and try and give the best of ourselves. and
00:30:58
Speaker
I'm sure if every player on the pitch does that, it will be more than enough to to get a result up there.
Controversies and League Challenges
00:31:03
Speaker
After the loss to Wraith, they bounced back. Two wins, six points, a flicker of belief.
00:31:12
Speaker
They were looking like they were clear of the drop zone. The clouds were clearing. And then came the news. This is breaking news from the Scottish Championship where Hamilton Academical have been hit with an immediate 15-point deduction and fined £9,000 for breaching multiple SPFL rules.
00:31:30
Speaker
It sends them bottom of the table. They're eight points adrift with just three games to play this season. They do have a right of appeal. They've been found guilty of four charges relating to their SFA licence, incorrect information regarding stadium ownership, late provision of membership criteria submission and the failure to notify the SPFL after six players had their wages delayed earlier this season.
00:31:56
Speaker
The club had climbed out of danger. Now, with only a handful of games left, there were eight points adrift at the foot of the table. Relegation wasn't just a threat anymore.
00:32:07
Speaker
It was their reality.
00:32:11
Speaker
For the players, the staff and the fans, it's devastating. For John Rankin, it's brutal. A manager already under pressure, now leading a team penalised for decisions above his head.
00:32:24
Speaker
Then there's the charges themselves. Were they justified? Did the punishment fit the charge? In a club statement they said they would appeal. And I think they have a case.
00:32:36
Speaker
Back when Rangers faced oblivion, they were penalised 10 points for going into administration. 15 points for some clerical errors seems beyond excessive.
00:32:48
Speaker
Hamilton Academical are more than just a team and have faced bigger challenges than this. They're part of the community. A history, a way of doing things, even when the odds are stacked against them.
00:32:59
Speaker
This is just a setback. And next year, the Ackies will be back and ready to go again.
00:33:10
Speaker
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00:33:25
Speaker
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00:33:37
Speaker
That's D-O-C-S-O-L-L-T-D.com because champions sort their setup before kickoff.
00:33:50
Speaker
So, lads, you didn't get to come with me to Hamilton this time around, but what did you make of my little ah weekend away? Well, first of all, mate, I have to say, yeah, I'd love to to to be mean to you, but you did the pub proud. am Really, really great stuff. And I cannot wait for the next trip.
00:34:09
Speaker
it I don't know about you, Nate, but for me, I think the bit that really stuck out to me was was the piece of it, drive and defiance in a club that fights because, you know, well regardless of whatever fan concerns there are and that points deduction, which I'm sure we'll touch you on in more depth,
00:34:26
Speaker
It really just seems like people who are trying their best, good football people who want the best for the club, the best for the for the the the surrounding area. And they're doing the best they can. You know, and it it's it's hard to have any malice against people like that because we we don't have enough people in football who are in it for the love of it, you know.
00:34:46
Speaker
For sure, yeah. Came across as a real community-driven club that has, you know, backed by by a strong fan base and and run by people that, you know, actually care for the club.
00:34:57
Speaker
And I think us lads coming from Ireland, we can connect with that, especially with a lot of the clubs in our country. And you can see the similarities there connecting between Hamilton and Scotland and our teams over here.
00:35:10
Speaker
So... Yeah, no, Killian done a great job in the documentary and thought it really brought true what type of club
Stadium and Community Involvement
00:35:16
Speaker
it was. I think when you you look at guys like Ben, the the the social guy, that, you know, ah ah God knows what kind of levels of of niche players you got into in your football manager chats, Killian, but it's stories like that that I love about football. It's it's a guy who, you know, evidently adores the club, probably knows every inch of its history. He's been on the terraces and to be involved with the club. And I think the more people like that you can get involved, the better. And, you know, like Nate said, I think it's,
00:35:46
Speaker
it Clubs like Aki's are easier for me to to be a fan of because they feel more parochial. like ah Obviously, they're they're they've got a great history and and and they're a great team, but it you know I think it's it it it has all the trimmings of a... you know We're not massive GAA fans and on on on this podcast, but i mean it really does have a bit of that feel about it that the whole parish movement parish pushes for what for one side is that the feeling you got when you were over there
00:36:18
Speaker
Yeah, like it's ah like even the stadium, let's let's take it. um So obviously there's kind of question marks per the charges over who owns the stadium. And there's been long rumored ah interest from Seraph for the owner to buy the stadium outright from who whoever owns it. For obvious reasons. because for the for for the you For the club, it just it just makes sense.
00:36:42
Speaker
But like the stadium has businesses in and around it. And like in one corner where the fans actually walk through the gates, it's the business that's in that area is actually a crash.
00:36:55
Speaker
So part of the area you walk through has all like the kids games on the ground. Like snakes and ladders. yeah, yeah. yeah ah Like you're walking through the main gate and you're seeing that. And like, if that doesn't kind of paint it as like a, as what it is, as as like a local club, I don't, I don't know what else would, um,
00:37:16
Speaker
and they They shared a stadium at Clyde as well. So there's the there's ah lots of affiliations in in and around the place to be competed for. But like...
00:37:29
Speaker
I was quite actually impressed. Like they have a train on their doorstep, to about a five minute walk away. um So it's nice and handy to get to. um True, true. My own, my own fault. I ended up ah missing flights as I, as I tend to do.
Match Day Experiences
00:37:44
Speaker
Wouldn't be like you going on a football trip and missing a flight?
00:37:48
Speaker
Yeah, but I also, going to the match, I took the full fan experience. I actually took the train from Glasgow in to Hamilton and I had my first Scottish pie at the stadium.
00:38:02
Speaker
And ah despite the the the guys, like Ben was absolutely excellent with me, showed me around and so ah ah allowing me to kind of get get a glimpse in despite him kind of saying not to judge Scottish pies on it I will and it was good it was nice and good kind of way to warm up but lads the weather for the match the day I arrived was class lovely training in the sun little bit chilly but it was absolutely brilliant the lads had music blaring got to the stadium it was a bit like o yeah cold Scottish day
00:38:38
Speaker
by the time the match came around. I hope it came across in the piece, but it was wet, wild, and windy. It sounded like one of those, you know, we've all been there, you've've you've gone to an away day somewhere, and you get absolutely trounced, you're sodding with rain, and you just feel like crying.
00:38:58
Speaker
Yeah, no, it definitely came across me, and and and the the the additional footage we got in the WhatsApp group, though you you you weren't lying. You know, you mentioned training there, and ah like again look i'm sure this will rub fans the wrong way that i for me i i think john rankin seems like a really good guy from a from a like outwards in like obviously i i'm not i don't have an affiliation with the club per se but it seems like he at least tries to bring a fun work environment he's he's been around football you know he's he's
00:39:32
Speaker
come from the assistant manager side of things he's had his own travels as player he knows the strife that that can bring think that Brazil story Jesus we need a pod on that itself we need next time we're over we need to dig into that more but it's absolutely excellent isn't it like it's just it wasn't that bizarre kind of we've all heard that like it in the ether that like Man United was sending players over but then to like actually kind of get a little bit more of an insight onto it um that's not as sexy as it seems like you know Yeah, yeah. And like john's John's great. He's so unassuming in that sense. Like he doesn't seem to like talking about himself in that kind of way.
00:40:11
Speaker
It's more like a picture. Well, he just seems like football guy. It's the we, it's not an you know? Yeah, like the man has never not been in a dressing room and you can tell. Oh, 100%. Even from the from what you've told us on air, off air, he's just a football guy and you know how How did you find training when you were there? was you know Obviously, they they didn't they didn't sign you up, so you you might be a bit annoyed about that. but ah how How was it being there?
00:40:38
Speaker
ah Well, i I didn't partake, um ah although one of the players, um apparently he was getting slagged because they thought i look me and him looked similar enough. Poor bastard. That's exactly what I said to him. And I won't even name him for for his his own protection.
00:40:58
Speaker
But no, like it was good. it was It was good crack. Like the first thing that they did was music on. so one one of the guys went up brought a big bluetooth speaker like when I say big like you know like the karaoke ones that can connect to the bluetooth brought that up into the stands and got the music going lads were having the crack and They did the training, did it some kickabouts. John was on on the sideline, but having the crack as well. And and the coaches, ah like they were all in and around it all, letting the players do their thing, but they were still all involved. Then they did some shooting practice with the strikers. And...
00:41:43
Speaker
ah one One of the players that Jerry mentioned in our podcast podcast is Tudorov. um He was one of the new signings at that time. I think he scored left foot, right foot. I was like, okay, well, that ticked the box of that day. Well, but what he did was he came straight over to the bench and sat with me and and one of the physios, I think it was. so And was just hurling abuse at the lads, slagging them.
00:42:09
Speaker
Sure, he just thought you were the the the player they were all confused for. But but it was it was great to kind of see that like ah it wasn't just job done. We always hear about the lads staying on after training or however.
00:42:23
Speaker
But like these are kind them kind of times as well where it's like he could have been easy easily... in the dressing room, get themselves ready to go and nobody would have blinked an eye. But the fact that was out there having a crack with the lads, I thought it was a a really nice kind of indication. what what was it What was the vibe like around the squad? Like, I know the game didn't to plan.
00:42:42
Speaker
didn't go to plan And obviously they bounced back a week later, so it it it it it did the stank didn't last long. But you know in that training session, were heads high? Were they worried going into the game? like Obviously John was was looking forward to the game and and and very much feeling like they they they had a chance at it. was ah Did they get caught in the hopper or was it once off? or do you What are you thinking?
00:43:17
Speaker
The lads seem to be enjoying themselves, but it's been a long season. like They've been towards the bottom half of the ah the table for the whole season, and obviously within the kind of relegation dogfight before the the points deductions.
00:43:36
Speaker
And it seemed it was more that that wore on them in the game. So they seemed to be up for the game ahead of it. But when things started to not go their way, I think it's it's something that we as humans can't ah help but do, is that kind of um ah revert to form.
00:43:57
Speaker
I know what's going to happen here now. I think there's a little bit of that. Like I mentioned, and it heads dropped. And I think it was more that kind of like... It was like the worry of, I've seen this before, this could get bad.
00:44:11
Speaker
And it did. It was like that self-fulfilling prophecy. Now, in saying that, if you look back, Wraith have been a bogey team for the Ackies for a couple of years now. Oh, right, okay.
00:44:22
Speaker
So I think there's a little bit that as well. So whilst, the like, I think they were in a good headspace going in, and I know that the management team have, like...
00:44:33
Speaker
done all the bits with the players, they've done all the team building and all that. um I think after a long season, like bear in mind, they only got promoted. Like that's another thing we have to kind of remember here. if they had survived in it, regardless of what Jerry or John or anybody would in within the the team structure or the club structure would say, if they had survived in the league, that would have been, as far as I'm concerned, a success.
00:44:57
Speaker
It's not where they want to be ultimately, but like, Sunderland didn't want to be in League One. We don't want to be in the Championship. But you have to build your way back up. Look at the Prem and who's going down, you know? Yeah, yeah. Like, so like this is just part and parcel of it.
Debates on Game Decisions
00:45:10
Speaker
and And before the deductions, they looked like they were nailed on to stay up and hopefully the appeals go and in in their way.
00:45:19
Speaker
ah But I think it was more das that as i say once the kind of the script seemed to be going in one direction that was that self-fulfilling prophecy and i think wraith kind of as soon as the weather turned they kind of were like okay well we know how this goes and we're going kind of push on that familiarity and that there was two handballs that hamilton i think were harshly done by in that game that they should have at least got one and if they got the one that i think of and i have i have both on camera
00:45:52
Speaker
So i can I can actually evidently point to... Our own VAR. Exactly. And it actually is in slow-mo. I have them at 120 frames per second. So I can actually see... One of them, I think... SFA, you're about to get a strongly worded email. I think one one of them, if it was given in the game, it would have been slightly harsh, but deserved.
00:46:13
Speaker
Kind of going, oh, maybe, maybe not. The fact that I have the footage, it's much easier. the second one definitely should have been given. And if it what was, it would have been a penalty. And at that stage, I think it was 2-1.
00:46:25
Speaker
It would have been 2-0, and if it scored the penalty, would have been Suddenly, that's a very, very different game. So i'm not I'm not excusing the result by kind of going, oh, if only for the grace God and all that. But ah I think...
00:46:40
Speaker
the 3-0 belied the actual game rather than... i think Wraith looked better than... Travelling support-wise, what what was it like?
00:46:52
Speaker
you know um Yeah, they they were backed by a couple of hundred, I'd say. um And they were very vocal. they were They were good. um Obviously, as I mentioned in it, there were sections of the home home ah support that were...
00:47:07
Speaker
Loud in the in a less less than a supportive way. um Yeah, like, wherehouse we're we're not born and bred Ackies fans, I will admit, and I and i did say to the guys there, they won me over in my time there. um I can't say I'm a supporter, but I'm definitely a follower.
00:47:27
Speaker
ah I think we are. They're they're they're there're there're our pod team. One of yeah one of many. that They've that we been good to us. And they've been... like They welcomed me with open arms.
Resilience and Future Hopes
00:47:41
Speaker
like I genuinely couldn't have asked for more.
00:47:44
Speaker
And... and ah Yeah, so we can't we can't really judge the guys are going in week in, week out, and maybe the results aren't the way they want to be.
00:47:54
Speaker
um Or, like, it was only a handful of years ago that when Alex Neal became their player manager and then a manager that they were challenging for the top three spot in the SBL.
00:48:06
Speaker
Now... no for those that don't know, a lot has just transpired in that in that time. I think there there was even talk of fraud at one stage. So they've tumbled and down the divisions and they're working their way back up. And this latest, and ah depending on how the appeal goes, relegation,
00:48:26
Speaker
ah I think should only should only be seen it as a setback rather than nailing a coffin. coin like Yeah, I agree. and And look, they came up once, they can come back again. But you know you touched on the 15 points at at the end of the doc. And look, I've read into it since it popped up. you know As soon as it popped up, ah I think all of us were very annoyed for the club, very annoyed for for for Jerry and John and Ben. And you know just as a...
00:48:56
Speaker
as a dare say friend at this point, you know, friend of the pod, leave but i I think they've been very harshly done by, um at least from the fact of They've come out with such a heavy sentence for them without much public proof.
00:49:16
Speaker
um And it's it's a lot of blanket statements. um And look, the ah SFA may we come out with more and they may justify their position. But I think when you say that you know clubs went into administration and got 10-point deductions, that's where I really have a problem. Because like look, let's face it.
00:49:35
Speaker
I know some of this revolves around players not being paid. Jerry came on and explained that in a very transparent format. And um I tend to believe him personally. I really do. And that's that's not just me saying it as part of this pod. As a person to person thing, I really do believe him. I think he's in it for the right reasons.
00:49:53
Speaker
But when you're looking at a team... Business problems happen. Like, a normal day today. Business, like, these things happen. So, like, it's hard. When you're looking at an administration where that's people losing their livelihoods, that's people not being able to pay their mortgage, and they're only getting done by 10 points...
00:50:09
Speaker
now Now, on that, I will, for full transparency, a ah fan did message us on and X to say that, like, under current rules, ah Rangers would have gotten a 30-point deduction for that. Okay, fair.
00:50:27
Speaker
Let's also not forget that Rangers ceased to be as a business entity over that. So 30 points seems right. This isn't a club that is on the brink. This isn't a club that it was like cheating. This isn't a club that was there like question mark over the ownership of the stadium.
00:50:47
Speaker
That one kind of wrangles with me a little bit just because it's like, what does it matter? Like they've fulfilled all obligations. Yeah. it's It's just, you said at, ah I don't know what point, it's clerical errors, seemingly.
00:51:01
Speaker
And to to bury a club for that, it it seems, look, I don't want to get in trouble for what I'm saying or any slander defamation, but it seems like there's a bit more behind the scenes there that could be a play that we don't know about. It's a bit pointed for my liking, but that's all allegedly if anyone wants to come at me.
00:51:24
Speaker
Nate, what did you think of the, what was your reaction to the point points deduction? Like, obviously, we're all outsiders looking in, so we can't really have ah the most educated opinion, but to me, it seemed harsh.
00:51:38
Speaker
Yeah, i thought it was heavy. and I wasn't expecting a personally. I think there'll be things that play on both sides that we don't know about. And that's just a matter of football. and So I think until it's played out and you know whether it goes to the court of arbitration or whatever, you know you won't really know the facts on either side. So I think as a as a punishment for what was alleged to have happened, it seems like a hugely unfair unfair treatment of mine just seems overreaction to me yeah
00:52:12
Speaker
And at this time of the season, like, why do it now? Why not do it like in the summer? yeah there's all Start off next season on on a minus or whatever, if you really want to punish a team.
00:52:24
Speaker
Don't do it at a point where it is, for some clubs at the this level, it is and existential if you go down, or borderline there so. Like, and not not that I'm saying that that's going to be the way with which and ah Hamilton, but like,
00:52:41
Speaker
With clubs dropping down that far for the second time in a row or whatever, other owners may not be so resilient. Or sponsors, you know, like you you have to take that into, you know, you have to take that into account. that That's the thing for me with that. i Even if it was administration, which it obviously wasn't. Scottish football, along with plenty of other leagues and sports, let's be real, rugby's struggling too. But there's a lot of clubs struggling out there. I don't see why the SFA are trying to take such actions that could remove one of those clubs from existence. i'm I'm hoping it doesn't go there. I don't think it will from what you know we know.
00:53:22
Speaker
But I just, there surely has to be a way to, like you said, why don't put tax it on to next season? At least give them a chance to dig themselves out as opposed to letting them, you know, go to through the majority of the season and just bury them at the end. Like that must be heartbreaking for everyone involved in the club.
00:53:42
Speaker
It seems like a bit like Friendly Fire as well, like in terms of, like this was a team that, as you mentioned before, was contended for top three in the SPL. Like, do you know what mean? Like it's it's a recognized brand and team. and like Looking at it with it with a business brain on, you have to imagine that it's in SPFL's interest to have them as high as possible. 100%. I totally agree with that. and you know That's why it goes back to what I'm saying. if Why are they harming them when they can try to help them, especially for something that seems...
00:54:16
Speaker
So, minuscule. And, look, I don't want to come up with this to come across as propaganda. You know, like, this is I'd apply this rationale if we didn't know anyone involved in the club or this was a team in bloody Estonia. Like, fair is just fair, you know?
00:54:30
Speaker
Like, it's one of them kind of things that... ah there's probably some shred of truth that there may have been issues. and But like, those... They don't seem that malicious Well, that's the thing. Like, does the punishment fit the crime? And ultimately, i don't think it does.
00:54:46
Speaker
um Like, if they want to financially give them... like a slap on the wrist or whatever see i don't know what would be worse because we don't we don't know their finances you know to that granularity like would a financial thing like that like i i know the owner is is is well resourced but you know there's a there's only a certain point i mean that a business can take you know well it's it's money comes and goes and money can be dealt with uh right like if if if it does end up that the team is relegated that's another year
00:55:20
Speaker
And that could be a whole lot worse financially, potentially, for them. Also affects who they can bring in, who they can keep. 100%. Both a coaching and playing perspective. And like, this is one the things. It's not even potentially, like it it is going to be worse for them regardless. Like it's going to set them back. And I think that's a big thing is like, from what you, from what we've seen and you've seen firsthand is it was a club that was trying to move in the right way and, you know, putting in processes and steps to do
Supporting Hamilton: Merchandise and Games
00:55:49
Speaker
that. And unfortunately, this is now going to put them back.
00:55:53
Speaker
Like that that's his place there. Well, it all comes down to the appeal that is ongoing at the minute. um So whilst the punishment has been handed down, there is potential for it to be reversed. Whether it whether it'll be reversed in time, who knows.
00:56:10
Speaker
um But I have to say... i they they're a team that I now do hold quite quite close close to me.
00:56:21
Speaker
Like, there's parts of it that and ah kind of goes understated that I quite like as well, like, um like i was i was given some some branded bits so that when I was pitch side so I would ah would look appropriate and all um and they're done by the brand Kurtz which I believe is actually owned by the owner and the profits of that is actually you put back into the youth structure and so like which which is amazing and anyone who wants more info on that go back on our Jerry podcast go back on that Jerry podcast anyway it's it's a really informative listen into the inner workings of a club but I will say look
00:56:56
Speaker
For any one of the Not A Pundit followers, Hamilton and the Ackies need a dig out right now. Their kit is very nice. So dip into those pockets, buy a training top, buy a coat. I don't know. It's the end of the season. So probably not a coat. We're open for a decent summer, but get yourself some kit and help the boys out.
00:57:16
Speaker
Also, and be like Ben. ah it's It's another wild until we have Football Manager 2025 or 2026, whatever it will be when it comes out. Do an Aki save. Let us know.
00:57:27
Speaker
um We'd love to see how far you can get the Aki's. I know I've gotten the Aki's to Champions League at one stage. Can anybody do better than that? Bye. like and any Any way that we can kind of ah get give a little bit of a positive boost um would would be, ah i think I think, greatly appreciated on on all sides. But, lads, hopefully, Aki's will be still in the championship.
00:57:57
Speaker
ah by the time we get to go around them and if not we'll be there in League 1 with them and we'll revisit again ah hopefully better weather hopefully better weather and definitely with with ah you two in tow 100% and bo number Yeah, so that has been our Aki's exploration and my little sojour abroad.
00:58:21
Speaker
at My thanks to Conor Glennon and Nathan Byrne and of course, everybody at Hamilton Academical. And we'll chat to you next week. Bye-bye. Messi.
00:58:31
Speaker
Messi. Oh, my goodness. Atalei. Aqara. Oh, my goodness.
00:58:39
Speaker
That is extraordinary. What our heads like. What our heads. Back of the net.