At its meeting yesterday (20 November), the council voted in favour of a motion to “acknowledge that Hamilton Academical Football Club marks its 150th anniversary this year; having been formed in late 1874 by the rector James Blacklock and pupils of Hamilton Academy”.

The motion noted that Accies is one of the oldest senior football clubs in Scotland, is the only professional club in the UK to have originated from a school team and has competed across all four divisions of the league.

Accies played at various venues across Hamilton initially, before taking up residence at Douglas Park from 1888-1994. They returned to the town in 2001 after an absence of seven years with the opening of New Douglas Park.

The council also agreed that “Hamilton Academical Football Club is an asset to the local community” and congratulated the club on this significant milestone in its history, on all of the numerous achievements during the past 150 years and sent the club, staff and supporters best wishes for season 2024/25 and for many future years to come.

The motion was proposed by Councillor Colin Dewar and seconded by Councillor Mary Donnelly, and was passed unanimously with cross-group support.