Hamilton Accies on verge of takeover with TWO parties keen on buying Championship club from Ronnie MacDonald
HAMILTON ACADEMICAL are set to be taken over — with TWO parties interested in buying out long-time owner Ronnie MacDonald.
The 71-year-old has been in charge at Championship side Accies for 18 years.
But he is now considering the approaches from two mystery parties who have declared their interest.
SunSport understands that one is well-known on the landscape of Scottish football.
However, any proposed change in ownership will NOT mean coach Stuart Taylor’s job is under threat. Former Ipswich No 2 Taylor was appointed after Brian Rice’s resignation in August.
But Accies were thrashed 6-1 at home by Partick Thistle in their last game eight days ago.
It’s also understood that prospective buyers would be expected to retain a close link to chief executive Colin McGowan’s social charter.
That provides support at the club for members of society with gambling and substance-related problems.
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MacDonald took over the club in June 2003, paying £1 — but also inheriting debts of £5.3m.
After beating Hibs in a 2014 play-off at Easter Road he steered them to a seven-season stay in the top division that only ended with relegation to the Championship this year.
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During that spell the club was the victim of a sophisticated internet fraud that cost them almost £1m in October 2017.
But their youth policy was responsible for launching the careers of the likes of James McArthur, James McCarthy, Lewis Ferguson, Stephen Hendrie, Greg Docherty, Ziggy Gordon and Scott McMann.
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Alex Neil and current Newcastle interim manager Graeme Jones also came through the ranks.
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