'We want to rebuild relationship with SFA'

New Hamilton Accies owner Rob Edwards wants to rebuild the club’s fractured relationship with the SFA and SPFL after they were hammered with sanctions over the past several months.

- PAUL THOMSON

Previous owner Seref Zengin and former director Gerry Strain were deemed not fit and proper by the game's governing body in November for serious mismanagement of the club, which was the spark for Edwards to swoop in and save the club from potential oblivion this week.

In recent months, Accies have been docked 31 points - 30 in the league over two campaigns and one in the Challenge Cup group stages, as well as being hit with multiple fines and a transfer embargo.

Zengin even accused the SFA of trying to force the club into administration and claimed at an appeal hearing in front of the SEA that a member of the panel was so disinterested in what they had to say he turned up in a Hawaiian shirt and was swigging a can of the Monster energy drink as the club's fate was decided.

As a result of their on-field punishments, Accies find themselves in a relegation battle in League One and face more sanctions after failing to pay players and staff on time in December - something the new owners are hoping to rectify quickly.

With Accies now under new ownership, Edwards hopes for a clean slate and his successes with other Morley Sports Management projects, Haverfordwest County in the Welsh Premier League and Ohio Valley Wrestling in the US, show he is fit and proper and has the best interest of the club at heart.

“We had a call with senior people in the SFA. We want to rebuild that relationship,’ he told the Herald.

“I'm aware there's been a number of issues over the medium-term history. I'm completely aware of the sanctions and what their relationship is with the club.

“Hopefully, they will give us the benefit of the doubt.