2025–26 Hamilton Academical F.C. season

Hamilton Academical
2025–26 season
ChairmanJock Brown
ManagerJohn Rankin
StadiumBroadwood Stadium
League CupGroup stage

The 2025–26 season is Hamilton Academical's first season back in the third tier of Scottish football, following their relegation from the Scottish Championship at the end of the 2024–25 season. Hamilton will also compete in the League Cup, Challenge Cup and the Scottish Cup.

Summary

On 17 April 2025, Hamilton were deducted 15 points and fined £9,000 for multiple breaches of SPFL rules.[1][2][3] On 1 May, one day before the final round of Championship fixtures were scheduled to be played, the SPFL upheld their decision after the club had submitted an appeal, confirming Hamilton's relegation to League One.[4][5]

On 25 July, Hamilton were issued with a season-long transfer embargo by the SPFL after failing to settle the club's tax obligations on three separate occasions. As a result the club were fined £7,500 with £5,000 suspended. It also left the club unable to sign new players as well as re-register players whose contracts had expired.[6] Subsequently the club signed several players on amateur contracts in order to circumvent the embargo.

Relocation to Broadwood Stadium

Between 2022 and 2025, Hamilton shared their home stadium, New Douglas Park, with Clyde following Clyde's eviction from their home ground Broadwood Stadium.[7] In May 2025 it was announced that due to a dispute with the owner of New Douglas Park, Hamilton would play their home fixtures at Broadwood until further notice.[8][9]

Results and fixtures

  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed

Pre-season and friendlies

5 July 2025 Friendly Partick Thistle 4–1 Hamilton Academical Glasgow
14:00 Trialist 22'
Chalmers 73'
Crawford 79'
Fitzpatrick 		Report 45' Stadium: Petershill Park

Scottish League One

Main article: 2025–26 Scottish League One
2 August 2025 1 Hamilton Academical 2–0 Montrose Cumbernauld
15:00 Shaw 45+1'
Trialist 62'		 Report Stadium: Broadwood Stadium
Attendance: 365
Referee: Sean Murdoch
9 August 2025 2 Queen of the South 1–4 Hamilton Academical Dumfries
15:00 Lyon 46' Report Smith 28', 53'
Trialist 39'
Bradley 61'		 Stadium: Palmerston Park
Attendance: 1,246
Referee: Greg Soutar
16 August 2025 3 Hamilton Academical 1–2 East Fife Cumbernauld
15:00 Robinson 15' Report Jones 52', 53' Stadium: Broadwood Stadium
Attendance: 482
Referee: Calum Scott
23 August 2025 4 Alloa Athletic v Hamilton Academical Alloa
15:00 Stadium: Recreation Park, Alloa
30 August 2025 5 Hamilton Academical v Cove Rangers Cumbernauld
15:00 Stadium: Broadwood Stadium

Scottish League Cup

Main article: 2025–26 Scottish League Cup

Group stage

Main article: 2025–26 Scottish League Cup group stage § Group E
12 July 2025 Group Stage Stirling Albion 0–2 Hamilton Academical Stirling
15:00 Report Smith 52'
MacDonald 59'		 Stadium: Forthbank Stadium
Attendance: 648
Referee: Peter Stuart
15 July 2025 Group Stage Hamilton Academical 0–4 Heart of Midlothian Cumbernauld
19:45 Report Findlay 6'
Kabangu 45+1'
Wilson 69'
Braga 83'		 Stadium: Broadwood Stadium
Attendance: 1,827
Referee: Ross Hardie
22 July 2025 Group Stage Dunfermline Athletic 2–1 Hamilton Academical Dunfermline
19:45 A.Tod 39'
Kilday 70 o.g.'		 Report Shaw 69' Stadium: East End Park
Attendance: 2,582
Referee: Daniel Graves
26 July 2025 Group Stage Hamilton Academical 0–1 Dumbarton Cumbernauld
15:00 Report Roy 45' Stadium: Broadwood Stadium
Attendance: 290
Referee: Joel Kennedy

Scottish Challenge Cup

Main article: 2025–26 Scottish Challenge Cup

League phase

13 August 2025 1 Hamilton Academical 0–0 Motherwell B Cumbernauld
19:45 Report Stadium: Broadwood Stadium
Attendance: 215
Referee: Connor Ashwood
27 August 2025 2 Hamilton Academical v Edinburgh City Cumbernauld
19:45 Stadium: Broadwood Stadium
6 September 2025 3 East Kilbride v Hamilton Academical East Kilbride
15:00 Stadium: K-Park Training Academy
24 September 2025 4 Hamilton Academical v St Mirren B Cumbernauld
19:45 Stadium: Broadwood Stadium
11 October 2025 5 Hamilton Academical v Annan Athletic Cumbernauld
15:00 Stadium: Broadwood Stadium
11 November 2025 6 Hamilton Academical v Rangers B Cumbernauld
19:45 Stadium: Broadwood Stadium

Squad statistics

Appearances

As of 16 August 2025[10]

No. Pos Nat Player Total League One League Cup Challenge Cup Scottish Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK England ENG Dean Lyness 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
2 DF Scotland SCO Fergus Owens 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 DF Scotland SCO Lee Kilday 5 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
6 DF Australia AUS Dylan McGowan 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
7 FW Scotland SCO Kevin O'Hara 7 0 3 0 3+1 0 0 0 0 0
8 MF Scotland SCO Connor Smith 7 3 3 2 4 1 0 0 0 0
9 FW Scotland SCO Oli Shaw 7 1 3 0 4 1 0 0 0 0
10 MF Scotland SCO Steven Bradley 7 1 3 1 3+1 0 0 0 0 0
13 FW Nigeria NGA Idris Munir 1 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
14 MF Scotland SCO Barry Maguire 5 0 0+2 0 2 0 1 0 0 0
16 DF Scotland SCO Kyle MacDonald 6 1 3 0 3 1 0 0 0 0
17 MF Scotland SCO Scott Robinson 7 1 3 1 3+1 0 0 0 0 0
18 FW Scotland SCO Liam Morgan 6 0 0+2 0 1+2 0 1 0 0 0
20 MF Scotland SCO Ben Williamson 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
22 DF Canada CAN Cale Loughrey 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
23 MF England ENG Mikey Stone 3 0 0+2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
27 MF Scotland SCO Stuart McKinstry 7 0 0+3 0 1+2 0 1 0 0 0
30 DF Scotland SCO Tony Gallacher 6 0 0+2 0 2+1 0 1 0 0 0
31 GK Scotland SCO Jamie Smith 6 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0
32 DF Scotland SCO Aaron Eadie 4 0 0 0 1+2 0 1 0 0 0
33 DF Scotland SCO Stephen Hendrie 7 0 3 0 3+1 0 0 0 0 0
42 MF Scotland SCO Lennon Lyons 1 0 0 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0
43 MF Scotland SCO Ben Reilly 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
44 MF Scotland SCO Kayden Aitken 2 0 0 0 0+1 0 1 0 0 0
45 MF Scotland SCO Finlay Cameron 1 0 0 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0
47 MF Scotland SCO Josh Carson 4 0 0 0 1+2 0 1 0 0 0
48 MF Scotland SCO Jamie Herd 1 0 0 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0
49 MF Scotland SCO Dominic Shiels 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
52 GK Scotland SCO Michael Marks 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Players who left the club during the 2025–26 season
41 GK Scotland SCO Josh Lane 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
51 GK Scotland SCO Neil Stafford 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Team statistics

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Hamilton Academical 3 2 0 1 7 3 +4 6 Promotion to the Championship
2 Queen of the South 3 2 0 1 7 4 +3 6 Qualification for the Championship play-offs
3 Alloa Athletic 2 2 0 0 3 1 +2 6
4 Stenhousemuir 3 2 0 1 4 3 +1 6
5 Kelty Hearts 2 1 0 1 2 4 −2 3
Updated to match(es) played on 16 August 2025. Source: [11]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only for deciding promotion, play-off participation and relegation).[12]

League Cup table

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification HOM DNF DUM HAM STI
1 Heart of Midlothian 4 4 0 0 0 16 1 +15 12 Qualification for the second round — 4–1 4–0 — —
2 Dunfermline Athletic 4 3 0 0 1 9 5 +4 9 — — — 2–1 2–0
3 Dumbarton 4 2 0 0 2 2 8 −6 6 — 0–4 — — 1–0
4 Hamilton Academical 4 1 0 0 3 3 7 −4 3 0–4 — 0–1 — —
5 Stirling Albion 4 0 0 0 4 0 9 −9 0 0–4 — — 0–2 —
Source: [13]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[14]

Challenge Cup table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
14 The Spartans 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 Advance to Second round
15 Cove Rangers 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
16 Hamilton Academical 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
17 Motherwell B 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
18 Alloa Athletic 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0
Updated to match(es) played on 13 August 2025. Source: SPFL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-to head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only for deciding qualification).[15]

Transfers

Main articles: List of Scottish football transfers summer 2025 and List of Scottish football transfers winter 2025–26

References

  1. ^ "SPFL statement – Hamilton Academical FC". SPFL. 17 April 2025. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  2. ^ "Club Statement: SPFL Tribunal". Hamilton Academical FC. 17 April 2025. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  3. ^ "'Astonished' Hamilton face relegation after 15-point deduction". BBC Sport. 17 April 2025. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  4. ^ "Hamilton relegation confirmed as appeal dismissed". BBC Sport. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  5. ^ "Hamilton relegation confirmed as appeal against points deduction dismissed". STV News. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  6. ^ "SPFL statement – Hamilton Academical". SPFL. 25 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  7. ^ "Clyde to leave Broadwood and play at Hamilton's stadium next season". BBC Sport. 21 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  8. ^ "Club Statement". hamiltonacciesfc.co.uk. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  9. ^ "Temporary Relocation to Broadwood Stadium Approved". hamiltonacciesfc.co.uk. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
  10. ^ "Hamilton FC Player Appearances". soccerbase.com. Soccerbase. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  11. ^ "League One Table". Scottish Professional Football League. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  12. ^ "The Rules of the Scottish Professional Football League" (PDF). SPFL. pp. 38–39. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  13. ^ "Summary - League Cup". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Format". SPFL. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  15. ^ "The Rules of the Scottish Professional Football League" (PDF). SPFL. pp. 38–39. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  16. ^ "Welcome To Hamilton, Idris Munir". Hamilton Academical FC. 2 August 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  17. ^ "Welcome to Hamilton, Mikey Stone". Hamilton Academical FC. 2 August 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  18. ^ "Welcome to Hamilton, Cale Loughrey". Hamilton Academical FC. 2 August 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  19. ^ a b "Sean McGinty & Nikolay Todorov depart". Hamilton Academical FC. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  20. ^ "Defender McGinty agrees terms". Airdrieonians FC. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  21. ^ "Todorov Joins!". Arbroath FC. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  22. ^ "Reghan Tumilty Departs". Hamilton Academical FC. 3 June 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  23. ^ "Reghan Tumilty joins the Saints". perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk. St Johnstone FC. 17 June 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  24. ^ "Charlie Albinson Departs". Hamilton Academical FC. 10 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  25. ^ "Euan Henderson Departs". Hamilton Academical FC. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  26. ^ "Henderson joins the Diamonds". Airdrieonians FC. 11 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  27. ^ "Connor Murray joins Coleraine". Hamilton Academical FC. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  28. ^ "Henderson stays put". Coleraine FC. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g "Retained List". Hamilton Academical FC. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
  30. ^ "Midfielder Barjonas Checks in". Airdrieonians FC. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  31. ^ "Livingston snap up Hamilton Accies youngster Lewis Latona". Yahoo Sport. 30 June 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  32. ^ "Jackson Longridge checks in at Cappielow". Greenock Morton FC. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  33. ^ "Chris Neeson signs on for season 25/26". Albion Rovers FC. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  34. ^ "Daire O'Connor Joins Ballymena United". Hamilton Academical FC. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  35. ^ "Welcome to Clydebank FC, Arran Preston!". Clydebank FC. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  36. ^ "Kerr Reynolds Makes Hull City Move". Hamilton Academical FC. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  37. ^ "Loan confirmed for Lane". Stranraer FC. 12 July 2025. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  38. ^ "Welcome to the Loons - Neil Stafford". Forfar Athletic FC. 12 July 2025. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
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